Collins wants to see more of Lagares

Terry Collins recently told reporters that he would like to see more of Juan Lagares, especially against right handed pitching.

"We've got to start taking a good look at Juan against right-handed pitching," Collins said. "We've got to put him out there. We've got to make sure he understands what he's got to do to play here, because he is part of that young bench that's going to be the future here."

Lagares, 24, has had only 51 plate appearances this season for the Mets, hitting .146 with 14 strikeouts. He is 0-for-14 against right-handed pitching this season. 

Lagares has been in the Mets organization for quite some time now, and he really deserves a shot at everyday playing time. I'm tired of seeing players like Rick Ankiel and Marlon Byrd play everyday, while others like Lagares and Jordany Valdespin are sitting on the bench. The Mets are clearly gearing towards the future, and Lagares needs to show that he is capable of hitting at the Major League level. We've seen his great defensive skills throughout his brief stint so far, but I'd like to see something up at the plate. I know he is capable of providing some energy to the club, but Collins just needs to give him a chance. 

Mets need to take a gamble with Sizemore

According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, teams will begin to inquire on free agent outfielder Grady Sizemore. Sizemore has suffered no setbacks following micro-fracture surgery on his knee last year, and the Mets could, and should take a gamble with him. It is worth noting that the Mets were "very interested" in signing Sizemore over the winter, but he did not want to sign with a team until he was ready to play. 

Sizemore is a big injury risk, but I would imagine that he would be willing to accept a one year deal (with a possible club option). Quite some time ago, he was an elite player in the league, and his future looked incredibly bright. Of-course, we all know how the recurring knee injuries have held him back, thus explaining why he hasn't played in the Major Leagues since the 2011 season. Since I am an optimistic fan, say he comes to the Mets and has a successful season. Assuming he has that club option, the Mets could pick it up and maybe even trade him for a halfway decent prospect over the winter. Sandy Alderson is big on finding diamonds in the rough, and Sizemore could turn out to be quite a prize.

Now, you might be asking, why would Sizemore choose a place like New York to play? Of-course, players like to win, but players like getting playing time just as much. Sizemore would easily have every opportunity in the world to earn an every-day spot in the Mets' lineup. After all these knee surgeries, that is really all he can ask for at this point in his career. 

Syndergaard is having success in Single-A

Noah Syndergaard, one of the prospects that was included in the R.A. Dickey trade, has been great in Single-A, and scouts are beginning to rave about how good he will be. According to John Harper of the Daily News, a scout recently watched Syndergaard throw and described him as "Harvey-Wheeler good." Before the season began, Jonathan Mayo of MiLb.com listed Syndergaard as number 10 on his Top Right-Handed Pitching Prospects for 2013. 

"He could end up being the best player in the deal, though it may take more time for him to develop," Mayo told Metsblog's Matt Cerrone in December. 

Syndergaard has posted a 2.73 ERA for Single-A St. Lucie so far this season, and has 54 strikeouts in 52.2 innings pitched. Last month, Mets minor league pitching coordinator Ron Romanick compared Syndergaard to Aaron Harang, considering his delivery and size on the mound.

In all honestly, I'm ecstatic that Sandy Alderson was able to snag Syndergaard from the Jays. Of-course, the package was centered around prized catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud, but Syndergaard could make a huge impact on this franchise in a few years. 

I've have heard about the organization possibly trading him for a premier outfield bat, but I just see those reports as bogus rumors. Syndergaard would be an excellent number 3 pitching for this staff, behind Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler. Pitching can win championships, and bats can be brought in through free agency. Just ask the San Francisco Giants, whose elite pitching staff won them two World Series titles in three years.

The Mets are going to need to make a trade eventually to acquire an outfield bat, and while I don't want to see any pitching prospects go, I would be comfortable parting ways with someone like Rafael Montero. Montero has been fantastic this season, but doesn't have the upside that Syndergaard has. Syndergaard is a keeper, and I hope that the organization sticks with him. 

Terry Collins is ruining Scott Rice's arm

I rarely question Terry Collins' managerial decisions, but it is worth mentioning that he is using Scott Rice way too often. Rice already has 32 appearances, and is 3-4 with a 4.00 ERA. This is his first Major League season following 14 years of minor league ball. Rice is on pace to appear in 96 games this year, which would push him past the franchise's current record of 92 appearances that Pedro Feliciano set in 2010. Of-course we all know what happen to perpetual Pedro.

If history repeats itself, then Rice will end up getting severely overworked, leading to a serious injury. Collins has done this before to his relief pitchers, such as Feliciano and fellow lefty Tim Byrdak last season. In 2010, as mentioned before, Feliciano racked up 92 appearances, which lead the league that year. After that season, the Yankees picked him up and realized that he was dangerously hurt following the heavy workload. Of-course, Feliciano is now back with the Mets, but he is in the minor leagues rehabbing and hoping to re-join the Major Leagues for the first time in three years. 

As for Byrdak, he couldn't even finish the 2012 season. By July he had already appeared in 56 games, and had anterior capsule surgery on his left shoulder in August. Byrdak, like Feliciano, is rehabbing, but at 39 years old it is unlikely that he makes a big contribution to the team this season.

Unfortunately I truly feel like Rice is going down the same path. He wasn't a left-handed specialist in the minor leagues, and even though he got off to a nice start, it is obvious that he should not be used in that role. Rice is 31 years of age, and could be a nice fit for this bullpen as a long relief man. However, I would really like to see someone like Robert Carson for example, to get a shot as the left handed specialist. Granted, Carson has struggled in his brief MLB career, but getting a fresh arm out there is vital when it comes to preventing Rice from injuring himself. 

I know Collins is going to continue to run Rice out on the mound often, and there is really nothing the team can do until Feliciano and Byrdak return from their respective injuries. All I suggest is that he gives Carson more of a look in that role, because we'll never know what he can do until he is given the opportunity.

Tejada placed on the DL, Quintanilla called up

The Mets have placed shortstop Ruben Tejada on the 15 day disabled list following an injured quad that he suffered on Wednesday. The team has called up middle infielder Omar Quintanilla to take his place on the roster. The team has also shifted pitcher Frank Francisco to the 60 day disabled list.

Tejada was in a major slump and I wouldn't be surprised if the organization lets him take his time once he begins rehabbing. If he wants to be part of this team's future, then he is going to need to start hitting and being more aggressive on the basepaths. I understand that he will never be Jose Reyes, but most shortstops generally have above-average speed, and since Tejada is not that way the Mets have had trouble with him in the lead-off spot. Anyway I expect him to be back sometime in the next 2-3 weeks, and hopefully he finds his swing.

As for Quintanilla, he did a nice job filling in for Tejada last year, and will probably be an upgrade. He is above-average defensively, and is capable of knocking in his fair share of hits, so I look forward to seeing what he can do with this opportunity. The problem is, if he struggles and the Mets decide to send him back to the minor leagues, he is out of options and will likely be claimed off of waivers.

Finally, as for Frank Francisco, the guy has been a complete bust while in a Mets uniform, and he is one of the few bad signings that Sandy Alderson has made since taking over as the GM a few years ago. I'm glad that Bobby Parnell is finally running away with the closer's job, because if Francisco was here, he would certainly not be happy in the setup role.

Checking in on the Mets top 10 prospects

10. Pitcher Michael Fulmer 

Grade: INC 

Should end the season in: Double-A

Fulmer underwent knee surgery on a torn meniscus in March, and should be ready to return to baseball action sometime within the next few weeks.

9. Pitcher Luis Mateo

Grade: INC

Should end the season in: Double-A

Mateo has had elbow problems this season that have limited him to two starts. The injury problems have kept him on the disabled list since April, and have really held back his development in the minor leagues. If he manages to come back healthy and have a decent season, he will probably end the year in Double-A. 

8. Pitcher Rafael Montero

Grade: A-

Should end the season in: Triple-A

Montero has been fantastic in Double-A, posting a 3.08 ERA in 9 starts. He also has a sparkling 1.4 BB/9 ratio and 10.6 K/9 ratio. The organization is starting to realize how good Montero can be, and he is quickly becoming the team's 2nd best pitching prospect behind Zack Wheeler. If Montero continues his success, look for him to be in Triple-A and possibly make a spot start or two for the club in September. 

7. Third Baseman Wilmer Flores

Grade: B-

Should end the season in: Major Leagues

Flores has been hyped up throughout his entire minor league career, but has bounced around between positions. He is listed as a third baseman, but is capable of playing second base, first base, and the corner outfield positions. It is very clear that he can hit, and he should have an extended look in the outfield sometime later in the season. Keep in mind that he is still only 21 years old, so perhaps more seasoning in Triple-A would be the best route to go. 

6. Shortstop Gavin Cecchini 

Grade: INC

Should end the season in: Single-A

Cecchini's season has not started yet, so it is impossible to give him a grade. However, he is still 19 years old and the organization will be extremely cautious with him. He had a brief stint with Single-A last season, and giving him a full season of development at that level will be the best course of action right now. 

5. Pitcher Jeurys Familia

Grade: B- 

Should end the season in: Major Leagues

Familia was off to a decent start but tendinitis in his biceps landed him on the disabled list back in April. Besides some command issues, Familia has all of the tools to be a fantastic pitcher in the game. He has swing-and-miss velocity, causing him to put up great strikeout numbers. He will most likely end the season in the bullpen, but I believe there is a possibility that he becomes a solid setup man sometime down the road.

4. Outfielder Brandon Nimmo

Grade: A+

Should end the season in: Double-A

Nimmo has had a fantastic start with Single-A Savannah, hitting .322 with a .421 on-base percentage. The Mets will take their time with Nimmo's development, but his numbers speak for themselves, and if he finishes the season in Double-A there's a chance that he could make his MLB debut as soon as 2015. 

3. Pitcher Noah Syndergaard

Grade: A+

Should end the season in: Double-A

Syndergaard seemed to be a tad bit overlooked in the R.A. Dickey trade, but right now he is making Sandy Alderson look like a genius. He has posted a 2.86 ERA in 9 Single-A starts, and is making quite some noise throughout the organization. At 20 years old, he still has a few years of development left, but it is possible that we could see him in Queens sometime around the end of the 2015 season.

2. Pitcher Zack Wheeler

Grade: B+

Should end the season in: Major Leagues

Wheeler has been regarded as a future ace throughout his entire minor league career. Some people believe that he is ready for the big leagues right now, but I am very concerned about his walk ratio. The 3.7 BB/9 ratio is nothing to be taken lightly, and hopefully it is something he can fix in the minor leagues. However, he will definitely make his MLB debut very soon -- perhaps in two or three weeks --. and hopefully he sticks with the team for the rest of the season. 

1. Catcher Travis d'Arnaud

Grade: B-

Should end the season in: Major Leagues

d'Arnaud started the season with Triple-A Las Vegas, but unfortunately broke his foot and will still be in a walking boot for the next few weeks. If he didn't hurt himself, he would have easily been with the big league club by now. If I had to guess, I'd say d'Arnaud will spend a week or two in Triple-A when he completes his rehab assignment, and he will be the starting catcher for the Mets by the All-Star break.

Mets sign Aardsma to minor league deal

The Mets have signed relief pitcher David Aardsma to a minor league deal. Aardsma has spent the last 7 seasons in the major leagues, posting a 4.22 ERA in 255 appearances. His best seasons came in 2009 and 2010 as a Seattle Mariner, where he posted a 2.90 ERA and racked up 69 saves. Aardsma had Tommy John surgery back in 2011, and started the season with the Miami Marlins, who released him last week. He will report directly to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Aardsma has had some control issues in the past, but on a minor league contract he presents little risk. He has shown flashes on brilliance throughout his career, but hasn't been able to stay healthy as of late. If he manages to have success in Triple-A, he will easily be considered for a call-up considering the weakness and lack of depth in the team's current bullpen.