ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 06: Michael Harris II #23 of the Atlanta Braves before the game against the San Diego Padres in the Braves season home opener at Truist Park on April 6, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)
MLB Rumors: Tyler O’Neill’s future, Braves buzz, NY Mets mistakes
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 20: General manager Billy Eppler of the New York Mets talks during a press conference to introduce pitcher Justin Verlander at Citi Field on December 20, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
MLB Rumors: What’s wrong with the NY Mets?
The Mets are fine, for now. At 6-6 on the early season, there’s plenty of baseball left for them to strut their stuff. Still, it’s fine for baseball fans in Queens to be concerned about their ball-club.
Considering the money spent by owner Steve Cohen, this team ought to be a little deeper, especially in areas of weakness. The signing of Justin Verlander immediately backfired, with the Cy Young award winner headed to the injured list. At 40 years old, the Mets look a little foolish swapping out Jacob deGrom for a pitcher 10 years away from an AARP card.
Eduardo Escobar remains the third baseman despite talented young prospects like Mark Vientos and Brett Baty in the minors. New York had a chance to sign Carlos Correa to man the position this offseason, as well, but balked thanks to some sketchy medicals. Noted Mets fan, FanSided’s John Frascella , commented on what’s missing with this team as compared to years past:
“So in the end, my fear is that management will hold the Mets back — not the players. Showalter, despite managing for decades, still hasn’t won a World Series, and Eppler clearly doesn’t know how to add talent around a strong core of a team.
These Mets are so damn close. It would be a real shame if management ultimately held them back from their full potential.”
The Mets have the highest payroll in all of baseball. It would be a shame if they don’t play up to their overall price tag.
As FanSided’s Robert Murray</a> pointed out, it’s unlikely Atlanta GM Alex Anthopoulos makes a big splash on this front:</p>
<blockquote><p>“But this is not a case where the Braves will seek outside answers, not someone like New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks. That would change if Harris goes on the IL once again with a back injury and is forced to miss meaningful time. Then all options would be on the table.</p>
<p>But both Harris and the Braves will avoid that scenario — and his presence in center field, combined with the rest of their young talent, is a big reason why they are such a formidable team in 2023 and beyond.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Unfortunately, Harris isn’t the Braves only problem. Max Fried is out for the time being. Ian Anderson, a former Rookie of the Year candidate in the minors, is undergoing Tommy John surgery. Jared Shuter and Dylan Dodd have looked suspect to say the least.</p>
<p>The rotation could use some upgrades, and expect Anthopoulos to keep his ear to the ground a little closer to the deadline. For now, though, the return of Kyle Wright is something to look forward to.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #58595b" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://fansided.com/2023/04/12/mlb-rumors-tyler-oneill-braves-mets/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2. NY Mets mistakes </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_2365292" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="size-full wp-image-2365292" src=https://fansided.com/2023/04/12/mlb-rumors-tyler-oneill-braves-mets/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Ffansided.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2023%2F01%2F1450814749.jpeg" alt="Billy Eppler, Mets" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://fansided.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2023/01/1450814749.jpeg 3200w, https://fansided.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2023/01/1450814749-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px" /><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 20: General manager Billy Eppler of the New York Mets talks during a press conference to introduce pitcher Justin Verlander at Citi Field on December 20, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2>MLB Rumors: What’s wrong with the NY Mets?</h2>
<p>The Mets are fine, for now. At 6-6 on the early season, there’s plenty of baseball left for them to strut their stuff. Still, it’s fine for baseball fans in Queens to be concerned about their ball-club.</p>
<p>Considering the money spent by owner Steve Cohen, this team ought to be a little deeper, especially in areas of weakness. The signing of Justin Verlander immediately backfired, with the Cy Young award winner headed to the injured list. At 40 years old, the Mets look a little foolish swapping out Jacob deGrom for a pitcher 10 years away from an AARP card.</p>
<p>Eduardo Escobar remains the third baseman despite talented young prospects like Mark Vientos and Brett Baty in the minors. New York had a chance to sign Carlos Correa to man the position this offseason, as well, but balked thanks to some sketchy medicals. Noted Mets fan, <a href=https://fansided.com/2023/04/12/mlb-rumors-tyler-oneill-braves-mets/2/"https://fansided.com/2023/04/12/mets-billy-eppler-biggest-weakness/">FanSided’s John Frascella</a>, commented on what’s missing with this team as compared to years past:</p>
<blockquote><p>“So in the end, my fear is that management will hold the Mets back — not the players. Showalter, despite managing for decades, still hasn’t won a World Series, and Eppler clearly doesn’t know how to add talent around a strong core of a team.</p>
<p>These Mets are so damn close. It would be a real shame if management ultimately held them back from their full potential.”</p></blockquote>
<p>The Mets have the highest payroll in all of baseball. It would be a shame if they don’t play up to their overall price tag.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #58595b" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://fansided.com/2023/04/12/mlb-rumors-tyler-oneill-braves-mets/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 1. Where do things stand with Tyler O'Neill? </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_2402150" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="size-full wp-image-2402150" src=https://fansided.com/2023/04/12/mlb-rumors-tyler-oneill-braves-mets/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Ffansided.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2023%2F04%2F1480138094.jpeg" alt="Cardinals" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://fansided.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2023/04/1480138094.jpeg 1600w, https://fansided.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2023/04/1480138094-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px" /><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Tyler O’Neill, St. Louis Cardinals (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2>MLB Rumors: Cardinals have a tough choice with Tyler O’Neill</h2>
<p>An early-season spat between Cardinals manager Oli Marmol and outfielder Tyler O’Neill didn’t help what was otherwise an underwhelming start by St. Louis baseball standards.</p>
<p>Marmol accused O’Neill of a lack of hustle on a play in which he was thrown out by Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña. He then doubled down by benching O’Neill the day after, and using the Cardinal Way in vane. Can these two coexist in the same organization long-term?</p>
<p>Marmol considers the issue behind them, but O’Neill did suggest that he didn’t like how it was handled. The two spoke in the Cardinals clubhouse, only for Marmol to then go spout of about the veteran outfielder to the media. Who’s the real villain here?</p>
<p>Regardless, St. Louis has a decision to make. Outfield is a position of relative strength for them. They could trade O’Neill, a former Gold Glove award winner, for some pitching depth. But is that the right call? FanSided’s Miranda Remaklus doesn’t think so:</p>
<blockquote><p>“The Cardinals need O’Neill’s presence and stability with so much in flux in the outfield.</p>
<p>The Cardinals’ most significant need is starting pitching. O’Neill would be a nice piece to the package that could net the Cardinals a top-tier starting pitcher. But a move like this could also create more problems. While the team may get their pitcher, they would be down a top defender with a big bat.”</p></blockquote>
<p>As Remaklus notes in her article, St. Louis is already down two outfielders in Dylan Carlson and Lars Nootbaar. That leaves Alec Burleson, Jordan Walker and Juan Yepez as the other outfielders.</p>
<p>A trade for O’Neill may come down the line, but the time is not right.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="1 trade every MLB team would like to have back" data-url="https://fansided.com/2023/02/23/mlb-every-team-trade-mulligan/" data-call-to-action="Next"
> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #58595b" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://fansided.com/2023/04/12/mlb-rumors-tyler-oneill-braves-mets/2/"https://fansided.com/2023/02/23/mlb-every-team-trade-mulligan/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 1 trade every MLB team would like to have back </a> </div>
</div>
<p><iframe src=https://fansided.com/2023/04/12/mlb-rumors-tyler-oneill-braves-mets/2/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/p3cpmihXNDQ" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
