Category: Op-Ed

• As the trade deadline approaches, the Mets could have growing payroll flexibility

  With the Mets offense continuing to sag seemingly worsen with each passing day, their need for offense continues to grow and become more dire. After all, their 83 OPS+ ranks last in the big leagues, according to FanGraphs. Over the last month, Sandy Alderson has described the trade market as, “thin,” despite reported interest in…

  Michael Baron

  July 7, 2015

  Feature Stories, Michael Baron, Op-Ed

• On Monday night, Johnny Monell came through against his former team

  It was another night of quick at-bats and no significant contact from the Mets hitters. The good news is, the same could be said about the Giants, who’s offense has somehow slumped to the depth the Mets offense has been in for two months. The Giants were gift wrapping this game for the Mets and…

  Michael Baron

  July 7, 2015

  Op-Ed, Rich MacLeod

• Kirk Nieuwenhuis has had a weird season, but he finally contributed for the Mets

  It has been a very weird season for Kirk Nieuwenhuis. Originally slated to be the club’s primary left-handed bat off the bench, Nieuwenhuis went 3-for-38 with 17 strikeouts before the Mets designated him or assignment on June 9. A week later, he found himself being traded – or sold – to the Los Angeles Angels. But…

  Michael Baron

  July 7, 2015

  Feature Stories, Michael Baron, Op-Ed

• Jon Niese continues to excel, and teams should be paying attention…

  It had been nearly two months sine Jon Niese could soak in a win on his ledger. He went through one of the rockiest four starts of his eight-year career in the middle of May, when seemingly he was inducing more home runs than he was outs. But once the calendar turned to June, he kicked…

  Michael Baron

  July 7, 2015

  Michael Baron, Op-Ed

• He may not get there, but the Mets MVP is a deserving All-Star

  With so many candidates and a limited number of roster spots, Giants manager Bruce Bochy had to make some tough decisions for the pitching portion of his All-Star roster for next Tuesday night. One of those tough decisions was to leave Mets closer Jeurys Familia off the National League All-Star team, and to nominate him for…

  Michael Baron

  July 7, 2015

  Michael Baron, Op-Ed