A FINER APPRECIATION OF TODAY'S FEISTY GENERAL MANAGERS

Source: Newsday

In baseball today, being a dynamic and down right feisty general manager is not optional, it’s essential.  In the past, the general manager for a baseball team used to be a guy with a business background working behind the scenes to build the team, looking for new players to recruit, and providing overall team management. Sure the anomaly was George Steinbrenner- perhaps the feistiest of all GMs and luckily for us New York fans, our GMs are as engaged, dynamic and perhaps as feisty when it comes to their agendas for improving their teams and the moves they need to make to meet and even exceed team goals.

Source: NY Daily News

Brian Cashman and Brodie Van Wagenen have done a terrific job during the offseason picking some key new players as well as negotiating contracts with team veterans. They also know what is best for their respective teams and what deals they should pass on, such as Manny Machado as BYB reported yesterday in THE IRONY OFFER THAT NEVER HAPPENED.

Source: USA Today

Machado wanted a monster deal to top Giancarlo Stanton’s 13-year/$325M contract. Even though Cashman hosted him at Yankee Stadium, the team ultimately decided against a deal with multiple years attached. Of course, getting Machado would’ve been a great pickup, but it wasn’t worth the price. This, of course, makes Padres GM A.J. Preller look great, but the team isn’t anything to worry about as 2019 will most likely be a building year for them. If Stanton and Aaron Judge can be the dynamic duo we know them to be, I think we can forgive the Yankees for not snagging Machado and Bryce Harper.

Source: NY Times

Cashman has made some great moves the past few seasons, especially getting Stanton to create one of the best offenses in baseball. To beef up pitching, Cashman acquired James Paxton, who the NY Times say will "bolster" the starting rotation. He also reached an extension agreement with Luis Severino for 4-year/$40M, avoiding an arbitration hearing.

“To know he’s going to be here the next four years, I was really excited and really happy for him,’’ said Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who expects Severino to be his opening day starter. “You get excited when hard work and people you respect are rewarded," reported NJ.com.

Source: MLB.com

In Queens, Van Wagenen had a busy offseason. Excitingly, there has been a lot of rebuilding in the bullpen with the addition of All-Star closer Edwin Diaz and getting back Mets veteran Jeurys Familia. This in addition of Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo, I think the Mets bullpen is one to be feared this season.

Source: NJ.com

The Mets also showed little interest in pursuing Harper and Machado, but the lineup has received upgrades that should not be overlooked. Van Wagenen brought All-Star Robinson Robinson Cano back to New York and signed one of the best catchers on the free agent market, Wilson Ramos. Van Wagenen didn’t stop there. He reached out and signed Jed Lowrie after his best season of his career. 

“He’s going to be in our lineup virtually every day,” Van Wagenen said. “He’s going to hit at the top of the order. His switch-hitting ability, hitting in front of Cano and after (Brandon) Nimmo, potentially, as we start to configure the lineup, I think is something that is really attractive,” reported CBS Local.

Source: USA Today

Sure, Machado didn’t end up in New York and Harper most likely won’t either, but there is no reason to be disappointed as some great moves were moved during the offseason. The best option now is just to hope the GMs were right and make sure they stay feisty in their hunt for a championship.

--Missy O'Rourke
BYB Contributor
Twitter: @missy_orourke

THE POST GOT IT RIGHT

Joel Sherman had me from the first paragraph of his piece from the NY Post Saturday evening. "The Mets have taken on so many characteristics of what was anticipated for the Yankees — namely, winning a whole lot early." By a show of hands, how many of you agree?  Exactly.  Sure, we have a rain out to reflect further on the losses to Baltimore and Boston and near-loss in the first game against Detroit but we can't argue that when you look at the Mets, you are saying to yourself, "This should be us."

Sherman gives three main areas/reasons why the Mets are progressing in a way that the Yankees were predicted to do so: Managing, Bullpen and Outfield Depth.

Source: Michael Reaves/Getty Images North America

The Mets have had incredible management from new skipper Mickey Callaway.  It was anticipated, as Sherman points out, that "Callaway — a pitching coach by training — would be more of a wonk." Instead, he has been brilliant with the caveat, he has not had to deal with any issues, yet.  And the leadership he is receiving from new additions Todd Frazier and Adrian Gonzalez has been effectively on point.  This is not downgrading the Yankees' clubhouse leadership but I will say, Aaron Boone does not appear to have the managerial experience necessary to navigate the variety of players on the team.  I don't blame him for the team losing, but I don't think the team is being managed the way it needs to be.  Callaway on the other hand has "helped the Mets keep their prized arms healthier and outfitted with better strategy," reports Sherman.  I have to agree.

Source: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images North America

Their bullpen does not have the talent that the Yankees' pen has, but yet, their relief pitchers have kept opponents in check.  "The Mets’ pen was 5-0 in the early going and the Yanks’ 1-4. The Mets also had a 1.57 ERA, as converted starters Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo have been valuable, and Jeurys Familia again has the feel of an elite closer. The Yankees’ pen had a 4.71 ERA — third worst in the AL — with Dellin Betances and Tommy Kahnle particularly raising concerns," reports Sherman. Facts, folks, nothing but facts.

Source: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images North America

Finally, when you look at the Mets outfield, you have to be envious of their depth.  I can't believe I am saying this but it is true.  We had to call up multiple players over the first week or so of the season because of injuries.  911s were sent down to the farm with Jacoby Ellsbury and Aaron Hicks going down early.  And remember at the beginning of the season, we were stacked in the outfield.  Now, the Yankee outfield has been productive at the plate.  The Yankees ".871 group OPS second in the majors to the Pirates. The Mets were fourth at .808, and that is with Yoenis Cespedes mainly struggling at the plate. The quicker-than-publicly-anticipated return of Michael Conforto has benefited the Mets."

Source: NorthJersey.com

When you add up managing, relief pitching and outfield depth, you get the Mets in first by a wide margin while the Yankees are struggling- an unanticipated switch at the birth, of the 2018 season that is.  Let's hope this is just an anomaly and the real Yankees take the field in a double-header with the Tigers today.  Michael Kay has been fired up about this year's team and not in a positive way.  He's been concerned about poor fielding and base running, which should never be underestimated.  I hope Boone and the clan can get it together otherwise it is going to be a long season with an unhappy ending.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof