Displaying items by tag: ‪Yoenis Cespedes

While it seems like the season has just begun, the first month is already in the books. And while it’s still way too early on in a long baseball season, as we learned last year, there appear to be some clear indications of what lays ahead for the 2016 Mets.

Let’s take a look at some of the takeaways from the first month: 

Okay...so now that everyone got what they wanted...and the Mets ownership opened their wallets and re-signed Yoenis Cespedes...now what? The Mets now have four outfielders for three positions and there is not yet a DH in the National League.

When Cespedes was brought to the Mets at the trade deadline, there were circumstances that were much different than they are right now. Sandy Alderson was in the midst of revamping the support staff...bringing in valuable veterans like Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson for the bench and Tyler Clippard and Addison Reed for the bullpen. But he needed to do something about the outfield situation because Michael Cuddyer, who was signed as a free agent almost immediately after the conclusion of the 2014 season, was injured and greatly underperforming. And Juan Lagares had not taken the next step forward after a nice 2014 season in which he won a Gold Glove and looked like the second coming of Andruw Jones in centerfield. It was quite apparent that he was a shell of himself in centerfield, not getting to balls he would have gotten to easily the year before, and his feared rifle arm was reduced to that of a water pistol. We later found out that he was suffering from an injury that vastly curtailed his abilities.

So for all of the harsh criticism...HARSH criticism...of ownership, Yoenis Cespedes is returning to the Mets. So for all of those who were shouting out that the Mets don't spend money...well...they did...yet again. The fans have done all of the over-the-top clamoring before...and...well...let's just see.

I am glad the Mets did what they had to do to bring Cespedes back. He brings a presence and dimension to the team that alters the look of the lineup and creates a dynamic that actually makes everyone else that much better. The lineup was fine without him, but it could be downright dangerous WITH him.

You would think that after the Mets made it all the way to the World Series in 2015 that the fan base would be somewhat satisfied and have some faith in Mets management and General Manager Sandy Alderson. After all, after taking hit after hit in the media and on every fan blog across the internet, Alderson proved to be correct when he said that the team would be playing meaningful baseball late in the season. None of the so-called experts picked the Mets to finish with a record of over .500...let alone get to the World Series. Oh ye have little faith.

And now the talk is, as always, about how cheap the front office is and that they refuse to spend any money. The fact is...the Mets HAVE shown a WILLINGNESS to spend money...and they HAVE spent money.

I have seen way too often that the rules do not apply to all. And that is especially true in the sports world. If the person has enough talent, then all will be forgiven and, quite often, forgotten. If a player can bring something to the table...bring enough talent...then no matter how bad they are - legally, morally, or any other conceived detrimental behavior - they will be welcomed and paid handsomely to boot.

I remember from my college days when I saw the absolute dispicable behavior of a young baseball player from Arizona State. He was such a jerk, such a cancer on the team, that his teammates actually voted him off the team. Members of the team brought their concerns and their consensus decision to the head coach. Rather than heed the players' feelings and actions, the coach, instead, elevated that player to Captain.

The big question is: "Why DID the Mets lose the World Series?" The truth is that the tone was set on the very first pitch thrown by Matt Harvey.

The Royals' Alcides Escobar lofted a long fly ball to left centerfield. Yoenis Cespedes, who had made so many spectacular defensive plays since coming over to the Mets, took his eye off the ball for a split second, could not regroup in time, and had the ball glance off his glove, and then, to make matters worse, kicked it away from both he and leftfielder Michael Conforto. What should have been a fly ball out to the warning track was a bad error...ridiculously ruled an inside-the-park home run.

While ONE play never TRULY determines the outcome of a series, unless it is a "walk-off" occurence in the final inning of the last possible game, it can set an example for how things will essentially go. And it did.

It was the first post season game at Citi Field and the roar of the crowd, more often than not, was some rendition of showing of disdain for Chase Utley. But there was plenty to make noise about thanks to the Mets offense as Curtis Granderson led the attack on the Dodgers pitching staff with two booming doubles that drove in five runs.

Travis d'Arnaud and Yoenis Cespedes both had three hits, each hitting a home run and driving in three...Cespedes hitting a three-run bomb into the second deck to lead the Mets to a 13-7 victory.

Matt Harvey did not have his good stuff...he was very hittable...but he battled through five innings and left with a 10-3 lead.

I think that the acquisition of Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson is a good start to get spare parts and shore up the bench and give Terry Collins some needed flexibility. They are proven veterans who have been in pennant races before and have been clutch. However, the need for a BIG bat is overwhelming.

I would be less concerned if Lucas Duda were being as productive as he was in the first month of the season or the second half of last season. Wilmer Flores has quieted down and Daniel Murphy has been a shell of himself. So NOBODY is hitting.

After sweeping the Rockies in four games at CitiField just a week ago, the Mets met with the Rockies on their own turf to begin a three-game series at Coors Field. And the Mets showed that they could keep up with the Rockies brand of "Coors Field baseball" better known as good old fashioned Home Run Derby. Well, at least Yoenis Cespedes did. Cespedes had a career night hitting three home runs, including a second inning grand slam, going five for six with seven RBI, five runs scored, and added a stolen base. The game actually resembled a slow pitch softball game as the teams pounded away at each other with the Mets eventually winning 14-9 after blowing an early 7-1 lead.

The Mets get another shutout as Jacob deGrom K's 10 and Yoenis Cespedes gets his first HR as Met. Mets are now 10 games over the .500 mark and have Noah Syndergaard on the mound as they go for the four-game sweep of the NL's best hitting team