What Lies Ahead For the ‘Dark Knight?

Chris Saunders discusses what lies ahead for the Met's ace pitcher Matt Harvey.


Article by Chris Saunders

The relationship between the Mets and Matt Harvey has soured recently, as the two sides engaged in a very public battle over the starting pitcher's innings limits during the end of 2015 regular season. Although Harvey has brought up the fact of a possible contract extension, very few players under Super agent Scott Boras have ended up doing so prior to said players free agency. With that being said, one such player Angels right handed pitcher Jered Weaver signed a long term deal prior to his free agency period. When you combine all that, along with the popular belief that the Mets will not be able to afford to sign him once he hits free agency, leads some to speculate that the Mets would look to trade Harvey this coming offseason.

Jon Heyman touched on the topic prior to 2015 season ending, saying that someone with the Mets suggested that they do expect calls on Harvey, but "would not discount him one iota." Nor should they and will they! Harvey is incredibly valuable: He is one of the best pitchers in baseball and is under team control for three more years. That low cost for an ace would be attractive to other teams as well. While he is due for a raise this offseason via arbitration, he will still make far less than what he could get on the open market.

Harvey has also established that he is healthy. Coming back from Tommy John surgery, he has fared about as well as could be expected. Despite a few rough patches during the season, he has been excellent overall, sporting a 2.88 ERA and a 3.29 x FIP (Fielding independent pitching.)

Beyond Harvey, the Mets have a strong stable of starting pitching with Jacob DeGrom going from an unheralded prospect to superstar almost overnight. Behind him, product of RA Dicky trade couple season ago Noah Syndergaard looked great in his debut season at the major league level, posting a 3.31 ERA and 3.39 FIP, and in a much smaller sample. After the big two you have Steven Matz whom was healthy towards latter part of 2015 season and impressed as well. The wild card for Mets is the return of Zack Wheeler whom had TJ surgery and missed all of 2015 season. He is expected to return at some point in 2016 along with the ever aging bartolo Colon rounding out the rotation.

If the Mets do look to trade Harvey once the season is over, it shouldn't be soly based on being sick of dealing with Matt Harvey the person. It should be because trading him can help the team, and because their pitching depth can help mitigate his loss. While they would surely miss Harvey, the Mets could trade him and still have a strong starting rotation for several years.

When you considering his immense value, the conversation shifts to the potential return he could command.  Let’s assume that Harvey is made available for free agency after 2018 season. When you look at what other top scale pitching received this offseason alone other  David Price (seven years 217 Mill), Zack Greinke(32 Mill Annually) it’s only telling what Harvey could receive once it’s all said and done. That’s why when you combine Harvey's salary will be far cheaper for what an “Ace” is making in today’s market perhaps the Mets could take advantage of that and acquire someone to fill a position of need, such as shortstop. Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe suggested a package headlined by Xander Bogaerts, but in any case the Mets would probably need to be bowled over to consider making a deal.

If something can’t get done for Bogaerts why not use Harvey to get someone impactful in return for example How about Colorado outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, whom need starting pitching BADLY! What about Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain? He is a free agent after 2018 season and is a TRUE centerfielder compared to Cespedes who only has the bat not the tools. Just spitballing ideas; but it does leave one to ponder.

All things considered, if a good player is being dangled, there is no reason the Mets should not at least listen to offers for Harvey. If trading him makes the team demonstrably better, then they should do it, and if nothing materializes, they can sit back and let Harvey pitch for another three years before worrying about losing him.

So You're Saying There's a Chance?

Chris Saunders discusses the new young talent that the New York Yankees have. 

By: Chris Saunders

By the looks of the MLB Hot stove season, New York Yankees are not making any big free agent signings ahead of the 2016 season. The best available pitchers a list that includes Zack Grieinke, David Price, and Johnny Cueto- have all found new teams this offseason. As for the hitters who could help the Yankees, the available sluggers would have a hard time finding a position in the Bronx especially with every spot taken. This situation makes the signing of Justin Upton, Chris Davis, or Yoenis Cespedes none existent in New York.

However, while things might seem doom and gloom on paper, Yankees will be able to add talent to the Major League club by promoting prospects. While once considered impossible to both content and rebuild, the small market approach paid high dividends in 2015, when Luis Severino and Greg Bird became integral parts of the team by season’s end. Will there be another Bird or Severino rising through the ranks in 2016? That may be a long shot, but there are several high-level players waiting for their breaks in New York. Here are three Yankees prospects that could make a big impact next season.

1.Rob Refsnyder

At the start of the offseason, the front office seemed content with a platoon of Rob Refsnyder and Dustin Ackley at second base. Then they traded for Starlin Castro, giving the Yankees an everyday player at the position. Although that might put a damper on Regsnyder playing second, he can play other positions as a possible Ryan Roberts Logan Forsythe mold. If Refsnyder continues putting up numbers like he did in 2015 (.302 BA, .859 OPS in 16 G) New York will find a place for his somewhere!

2.Gary Sanchez

Though his status in the Yankees system took a hit in recent years, catching prospect Gary Sanchez just turned 23 and is coming off a scintillating performance in the Arizona Fall League. Sanchez blasted 7 HR with a .982 OPS in 22 games. The power display was only one thing that impressed scouts. The young catcher’s poise behind the plate and commitment in every facet of the game garnered rave reviews. John Manuel of “Baseball America” being one of those reviewers on MLB Tonight had an interesting piece on Sanchez saying “Cut down on the receiving mistakes from ten pass balls to two, premium power/arm profiles as a backup catcher for now.” With the trade for John Ryan Murphy, Sanchez will get a chance to flash his power tools in 2016 as Brian McCann’s backup with the hopes of potentially taking over for McCann has his contract expires in a few years.

3.James Kaprielian

Former first round pick of 2015 for New York can be summed up in one word. POLISHED! According to John Manuel he spoke of Kaprielian with his praise saying that “my money I would take him as the best college starting pitcher in the 2015 draft.” When you look at guys who were drafted ahead of Kaprielian like Dillion Date (4^th overall) as well as Carson Fulmer 8^th might very well end up in the bullpen. Kaprielian while starting his career in UCLA in the bullpen for championship ULCA team and (former teammates of Gerrit Cole and Trevor Baur) he was the bonafide ace! The question with Kaprielian is the fastball velocity ranging from 88-92mph instead of his pre draft 92-94mph with ULCA. Beyond that he has great makeup and as a side note was the rock of 2014 Team USA National team. With Solid makeup, command of his off-speed pitches, of which three he can miss bats with Kaprielian has the ceiling of a number three starter. With all the rotation question marks surrounding New York, Kaprielian could receive a call sooner rather than later!            

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There will be new articles uploaded tomorrow by 12pm, stay tuned for some great stories by our sports department!!!!

Say it Aint So Jenrry!

Here is Chris Saunders, discussing the first athlete to be suspended for life for PED's. 


Article by Chris Saunders

Former Met’s closer Henry Mejia has been banned permanently from the majors after his third positive PED test, according to a league announcement. Remarkably, Mejia tested positive for the banned substance boldenone after earning two suspensions just last year.

With this suspension Mejia becomes the first player in Major League Baseball history on Friday to earn a lifetime suspension for performance-enhancing drug use under the “three strikes and you’re out” PED policy. He joins linking Pete Rose as the only people actively serving the league's harshest punishment. Mejia can; however; apply to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred for reinstatement; he must first sit out a minimum of two years.

Mejia, twenty-six, was once a heralded top prospect who broke into the big leagues at age 20. Of course not every prospect’s journey is the same as a Clayton Kershaw or Mariano Rivera; as Mejia path to the big leagues was built around a rash of injuries for years before becoming a reliable late-inning reliever in 2014 posting 28 saves and working to a 2.72 ERA over 56 1/3 innings out of the pen. He entered 2015 as the team's closer, but another injury forced him to the disabled list after Opening Day. It was while sidelined that Mejia first tested positive for Stanozolol, saying at the time that "I can honestly say I have no idea how a banned substance ended up in my system."

Mejia's agency offered no comment on his behalf, but the Mets issued the following statement regarding his suspension: "We were deeply disappointed to hear that Jenrry has again violated Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. We fully support MLB's policy toward eliminating performance enhancing substances from the sport. As per the Joint Drug Program, we will have no further comment on this suspension."

While New York seemed primed to cut ties at one point last year, the Mets couldn’t resist Mejia’s cheap contract along with his rested and youthful arm. However; Mejia somehow proved unable to avoid PED usage even while subject to stepped-up testing as a prior offender.

It is a type of ban that is nearly unprecedented among baseball let alone professional sports in total. Only on the rarest of occasions has the league banned players for life, for example most famously eight members of the 1919 White Sox, for fixing games; Rose in 1989 for gambling; and now Mejia(For PED’s).  In fact team owners George Steinbrenner and Marge Schott; for instance, received lifetime bans, but were later overturned.

What is next for Mejia you may ask? While he remains young enough to build a career in any domestic or foreign independent leagues that choose to employ him, the chances of that happening in the not so distance future remain unlikely. Although certain “supposed” steroid users have received jobs within the MLB (I.E Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire) they never tested positive during their pro careers, nor been found to use them post playing days. Mejia on the other hand got caught three times!

When it comes down to it Mejia either was depended on boldenone thinking without it he couldn’t perform to his 2014 level, or quiet possible he’s a stubborn twenty-six-year-old. Mejia did say to MLB reporter “Win or lose I have great faith. I have to clear my name”.   Whichever the case may be; I hope for his sake he receives some help one way or another.

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