Bleacher Report - Articles by Matthew Cohen

Matt Holliday: Why He Won't Be Cheap

Matthew Cohen — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:59:53 -0400

Any team looking to trade for Rockies' outfielder Matt Holliday better be ready to part with most, if not all, of its main trading chips. Here's why:

1. He is under contract through the 2009 season at a reasonable rate of $13.5 million, considering he's a top 10 talent in the game.

2. Numerous times have teams been dreadful one season and come back looking like world-beaters the next year, or vice-versa.

3. The Rockies have a nice up-and-coming team with a core group of young pitchers and positional players and trading Holliday would set them back a few years, no matter what a realistic return they could get from trading him.

4. They could just wait it out, see if next year goes better and if they are out of it again, they could trade him. Or they could just keep him and take the draft choices from him signing somewhere else.

5. Like I mentioned in No. 3, they have a talented young core, so signing Holliday would give them a chance to be good for at least the next five to eight years.

Prospective parties would have to part with their best overall prospect to start with, then add another talented player or two and that still might be enough to pry away Holliday.

I'd love to be the Rockies right now. They're in no rush to trade Holliday, they have all that good young talent, and he's signed for next season. They can wait another year until they have to trade him if they are planning on it, or take the compensation picks. They could also just keep him.

I believe the Rockies would have to be bowled over to even think about giving up on Matt Holliday. It's been reported they'd like to get a good young pitcher if they did make such a trade, one of the caliber of a David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays, Clayton Kershaw of the L.A. Dodgers, or even potentially Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Max Scherzer.

But those names would just be the start of the asking price. You'd have to imagine the Rockies would want your best positional player as well, plus another mid-level prospect or two.

Teams are going to balk at this asking price and move on to options B and C. He'd be a great addition to any team looking to bolster their lineup, but at the likely cost, I expect him to remain a member of the Rockies at least until next year's trade deadline.

Mets-Braves: New York Takes Two of Three from Atlanta

Matthew Cohen — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:15:21 -0400

The Mets took 2 of 3 from the Braves over the weekend, snapping what seemed to be a endless streak of futility to Atlanta. Delgado and Castillo both had big days on Sunday, each collecting 3 hits, including 2 Hrs by Carlos Delgado.

Maybe this is propels him to bigger and better things this year, or maybe he'll this is just him teasing us by showing flashes of what he used to be. Not sure which it'll be, hopefully the former for the sake of all Mets fans.

Could it be that Delgado heard former Mets GM Steve Phillips on Baseball Tonight talking about how he needs to start his toe-tap sooner? It clearly looked like Delgado was on his game today. Phillips mentioned that what Delgado has been doing is starting his toe-tap late, causing him to speed his swing up and rush it, causing Delgado to hit a lot of ground-balls.

Personally, I believe the day off on Friday really recharged Delgado, and I look for him to continue to improve on a week-to-week basis.

The bottom-line here is that the Mets need Delgado to be a solid guy in the 6 spot. If he continues to be the weak, hole in the middle of the lineup, the Mets will continue to struggle. No matter how good the starting pitching is, which has been outstanding for the most part, they are going to continue to lose ballgames.

The Mets face the Pirates at Shea beginning on Monday for a 3 game series. Then they head out to the desert to face the Diamondbacks this weekend for 3 games and on to L.A. for 3 with the Dodgers the following week, before coming back home to host Cincinnati and the Nationals. Also, the first of the Subway Series starts immediately following, beginning in the May 16th at the big ballpark in the Bronx.

Jets Wheel and Deal: Go With Quality Over Quantity

Matthew Cohen — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:41:21 -0400

I thought the Jets had a tremendous draft this year. At first I was disappointed Darren McFadden didn't fall to us, it's like missing out on Reggie Bush all over again. But then you look at what they were able to do getting Vernon Gholston, an pass-rushing nightmare, in the mold of a Shawn Merriman, how can you really be mad? He's a little bit raw, and sometimes appeared to take plays and games off, but I think he can really be a force teamed up with Calvin Pace.

Dustin Keller is a TE that has a lot of speed for the position. He isn't that great of a run blocker, but his big play ability and his ability to separate makes him a tough matchup for CB's and LB's trying to cover him. Look for him and Chris Baker to be a good tandem, along with Bubba Franks in run situations.

4th round pick Dwight Lowery is a decent sized CB that is a playmaker. His lack of strength though will limit him to being a nickel or dime DB.

QB Erik Ainge is an interesting pick in the 5th round. After a run on quarterbacks earlier in the round, the Jets took him and hope he can compete with Kellen Clemens. Ainge can play, he's a good game manager, doesn't have a terrific arm or mobility, but aren't we used to that watching Chad Pennington? Look for Ainge to give Clemens a run for his money and possibly win the backup job. He played without much help in terms of quality players, but held his own and put up impressive numbers in the tough SEC.

The 6th and 7th round selections, WR Marcus Henry and OT Nate Garner respectively, both have the physical tools to be solid prospects at the next level. However, both are a bit inconsistent.

Henry is a good-sized receiver that runs smooth routes and isn't afraid to go across the middle. However, he dropped some easy passes and lacks some upper body strength. Garner is a big physical OT that is big enough to hold off rushers. However he's a lot better run blocker than pass blocker.

Overall the Jets upgraded their team by getting one of the best speed rushers in the draft in Gholston. They also got a solid TE with speed in Keller who will be a handful for opposing defenders. Ainge is a very solid pick in round 5, and has the potential to be a good game manager in the NFL. They filled needs while adding depth to their receiving core and defensive backfield.

Overall Grade: B

New York Mets: When Ramon Castro Is Healthy...?

Matthew Cohen — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 18:27:57 -0400

There is something that I need to know. Why the hell is Brady Clark on the team? No, seriously, why is he taking a roster spot up?

First off, he never plays.

Secondly, he's not that good to begin with.

And lastly, we don't need 7 guys on the team that could play the outfield.

When Ramon Castro comes back from his injury, here's what I suggest:

Brady Clark go back to New Orleans or release him, whatever. Then activate Castro and have 3 catchers on the roster. The Mets talk about how much they like Castro's bat, so him being able to pinch-hit will be a boost to an already strong bench.

The Mets can do this because they only need 6 guys that can play the outfield.

When Brady Clark is a viable bench player, then that's not a good thing for your team. I personally have nothing against the guy, it's just the ability to use Castro more off the bench gives Randolph much needed flexibility. He can never pinch-hit or run for Schneider because of only 1 catcher as the roster is right now.

The bottomline is that Ramon Castro is more valuable for the Mets than Brady Clark. You have your 3 regular outfielders, then you have Marlon Anderson who can play the corners, Endy Chavez who can play all three outfield positions, and Damion Easley, who can also play the corners as well.

Now all of this speculation is just until Alou comes back some time in May. Then when we get there, maybe we'll switch it up.

Are the Yankees Dirty?

Matthew Cohen — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:14:10 -0400

A couple of days after a collision at home plate in which Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli suffered a broken his wrist, a huge brawl erupted today after Yankees utility man Shelly Duncan slid spikes up into Rays' second baseman Akinori Iwamura.

From the look of things, this seemed to be a dirty play. There is no excuse for going spikes up, full speed, into a fielder. Not only is it dangerous, someone's career could be in jeopardy if they get nicked in the wrong spot.

It's amazing to think that something like this could happen, especially after Yankees Manager Joe Girardi called for a more civilized style of play.

Duncan later remarked "There was nothing dirty about it in my eyes. There were no spikes up in my eyes. There was nothing at all intended to hurt him. I was just aiming for his glove and for it to be low enough to knock the ball out and I'd be safe."

The only problem with that statement is that he came in full speed, his spikes were up, and he caught Iwamura above the knee, near the groin.

Now obviously he had to say he didn't intentionally do it, but from the looks of it, when you slide into the base that aggressively in the manner in which he did, then it has to be intentional.

That's a little high if you are just going for the ball.

The only thing positive about this whole situation, if anything, is that it might add a little "heat" to the rivalry, if this is indeed one at all.

New York Mets: Another One Hits the Deck

Matthew Cohen — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:15:54 -0500

Is it just me, or does every New York Mets regular get hurt?

The only two starters that haven't gotten hurt so far are David Wright and Jose Reyes. Even good ole' Moises Alou had to join the party today, as he is expected to miss four to six weeks due to hernia surgery.

Folks, a minor injury in Spring Training is one thing, and it's happened to almost everyone so far. But this kind of major injury, this is just getting to be INSANE!!!

Now that four to six week estimate, you can throw that right out the window. We're talking about Moises Alou here.

It's going to be more like six to nine weeks.

If it took him three months for a hamstring injury last season, this is not good news.

Now having said that, at least Omar Minaya is out there trying to bring in a right-handed hitting outfielder or first baseman. Now he's going to have to step up his efforts a little more and reel in Marcus Thames from the Tigers.

Not only do we need a backup, now we need a starter too.

Thames has tremendous power, but he strikes out quite a bit, which keeps his average around .250 or so.

Minaya has to do something, and he better do it fast.

New York Mets Might Shuffle the Deck

Matthew Cohen — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:20:11 -0500

According to a report by New York Mets beat writer Adam Rubin of the Daily News, the Mets appear to be shopping pitchers Jorge Sosa and Scott Schoeneweis.

This makes sense on a number of levels. The first is the fact Schoeneweis is due two more years at more than $ 3.5 million apiece. His numbers aren't very good, and the simple fact that he is a lefty is the only thing that is keeping him on the team.

Sosa on the other hand is a year-to-year contract. He put up some great numbers in his first four or five starts last year, and then when he was shifted to the bullpen, wasn't half bad.

I'd give up Schoeneweis in a heartbeat, because of the contract and the fact he really isn't that good against lefties. I'd have a very difficult time giving up Sosa on the other hand because of his versatility as a starter and as a decent reliever.

The simple fact that Mike Pelfrey is having a great Spring Training is something to keep an eye on. I really don't see a way in which he wouldn't lock down the No. 5 spot if he keeps pitching the way he has, especially since El Duque is an injury waiting to happen. This would allow the Mets to put El Duque in the bullpen and hopefully get Schoeneweis out of town.

In unrelated news, Ruben Gotay is going to have a CT scan on his sprained ankle tomorrow. He injured it yesterday on play in which he slid into home plate.

Also, El Duque canceled another bullpen session, which comes as no surprise.

2008 New York Mets: Keys to Victory

Matthew Cohen — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 16:01:26 -0500

1. Carlos Delgado

Carlos Delgado needs to have a bounce back year.

I am not expecting .300 BA, 40 HR and 130 RBI's, but I think he's capable of a .285 BA, 30-35 HR and 100-120 RBI's. Delgado was marred by a variety of injuries in 2007, but he didn't attribute any of his struggles to his injuries.

He said that he re-worked his swing during the offseason, and totally started over. Look for him to be big in 2008. Either he'll walk a lot, and pitchers will face Ryan Church, or Church will provide him some protection, and those numbers above could be reached.

2. Jose Reyes

Jose Reyes needs to get back to being the Energizer Bunny that he was in 2006 and for most of 2007.

He tried to lift too many balls in September. He has to be the spark plug that everyone knows and loves. When Reyes reaches base, it is almost an automatic run. He needs less of a stride, and more of a level swing.

If he can be that gap-hitting catalyst again, then I believe the Mets are well on their way to a great season.

3. Health

The overall health of the team is very important. At one point in 2007, every one of the outfielders on the team was injured, including Endy Chavez.

It is to be expected that El Duque is going to get hurt, for at least one 15-day DL stint. It'll be up to Mike Pelfrey and Tony Armas Jr. to step in and give the Mets a few quality outings.

4. Duaner Sanchez

Duaner Sanchez coming back to be the primary set-up man for Billy Wagner will be another necessity.

Wagner, at points last year, really struggled because of what appeared to be a "tired arm." Sanchez coming back is a huge boost to Wagner, mainly because Wagner can get that casual day off when the Mets have a four-run lead.

Wagner really seems to struggle with a bigger lead. He doesn't have the same bulldog attitude, which generally makes him nibble a little bit too much. Pushing Aaron Heilman back to the seventh will take pressure off him and let him focus on being the best he can be.

5. Tack-on Runs

Tack-on runs are very important, and that is something that the Mets struggled with last year.

It seemed like they scored a chunk of runs in the first five or six innings, and then stopped scoring, leaving the door open for the opponent. It'll be up to Church and Schneider, or whoever mans the seventh and eighth spots in the order to not be automatic outs. That includes pinch-hitters like Damion Easley and Marlon Anderson.

Ryan Church and Marlon Anderson Collide on Saturday

Matthew Cohen — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 10:34:24 -0500

Marlon Anderson and Ryan Church collided on Saturday during a Spring Training game against the L.A. Dodgers. A fourth-inning pop-up by Dodgers OF Andruw Jones led to the collision. Church seemed to take the brunt of the hit, as he had to be helped off the field, while Anderson was able to walk off on his own power.

Church was taken to the hospital and diagnosed as having suffered a concusion. Anderson suffered a chest contusion, and most likely is day-to-day. Church however, is expected to be out for two weeks.

With Carlos Delgado heading back to New York for MRI on his hip, the Mets appear to be a banged up crew, and we're only in the first week of Spring Training.

The Mets don't expect Delgado's discomfort to be anything serious, but you never know. This is a big year for Delgado in particular, because he will potentially be a free agent after this year, and Mark Teixeira could be available.