Steven Matz, one of our few left-handed pitching prospects, is coming off the heels of two solid pitching performances in a row. Over his last two starts, he has allowed no runs in 11.1 innings pitched, and struck out a gaudy 19 batters. Matz will be on the mound later today. The native New-Yorker is trying to make it through his first full season in the pros since we drafted him in 2009, and he will be eligible for the Rule V draft next year if not protected by the 40-man. One of our readers, Buddy3, left a comment regarding such a phenomena a little while back:
Looks like Sandy wants to see what he has going into the trade deadline so he is starting to finally push his position players a little faster.
Since Steve Matz is Rule 5 eligible do you think Sandy will push him to PSl and then put him the AFL in the fall or do you think he keeps him under wraps in Savannah so teams stay away?
This is interesting to discuss. I feel like Matz will stay in Savannah the rest of the way, because even though he’s shown flashes of dominance lately, that’s all they’ve been…flashes. Two good starts in a row is nice to appreciate, but it’s something to build on — not promotion worthy yet. Of course, that’s pretty straight forward. Whether Matz makes it to Port St. Lucie or not, he’s still a talented southpaw with a live arm.
At first, I didn’t think he would last on an MLB roster for an entire season, because he’s simply not polished enough. That being said, it is conceivable to think a lower team could stash him as a reliever and just work him in low pressure situations throughout an entire season. The Mets could protect him if they wanted to — there will be a few open spots going into the off-season, and players that will have their spots thrown into question like Gonzalez Germen or even Wilfredo Tovar, who still struggles offensively.
So what do you think? Should we protect Matz, or risk leaving him open to be taken?
He better be protected! I don’t care if he’s in the low minors, lefties that throw 95 are very hard to find! Can’t take the chance!
Does the claiming team has to keep Matz on the MLB roster or at AA since Matz in A ball. I think that was the reasoning the Mets protected Robles last year on the 40-man. In any case, Matz has to be protected.
Matz will obviously be protected, barring a significant injury between now & November. Same for Ynoa, Tapia, DeGrom and Den Dekker.
There’ll be a bunch of players ” on the bubble”.
Again, the weird minor league Rule 5 Draft rules come into play. I believe they can protect him from that without placing him on the 40-man? I don’t see any way he is drafted in the MLB side, or if he is, I don’t see him sticking.
Hey Satish,
Any word on the severity of Kevin Plawecki’s injury…
Is it…..
1. A serious injury
2. Just a “Regular day to day”
3. Or is he “METS day to day!” —> Meaning he will miss the rest of the season and we’ll hear about it 2months from now??? 😉
Here are ten players that can be cut this winter:
Atchinson (hurt anyway), Burke (minors), Carson (minors), Lyons (Mejia, hopefully slides in), Marcum (Niese slides in), Buck (d’Arnaud must be playing next year), Turner (Satin or Lutz are better), Baxter (minors), Byrd (replaced by a “difference-maker”), Hawkins (Familia slides in). And two bonus players: Duda (traded for some A ball kid) and Germen (perennially on the bubble).
There is room for adding quite a few players without hurting your product, but there will always be players on the bubble.
Oh, he’d certainly be gone in the MLB Rule V draft. Lefties who throw 92-96 mph with a solid 2nd pitchare quite rare.
Johan Santana also was picked out of A-Ball in the Rule V draft over a decade ago.
Matz WILL be protected unless he has to undergo arm surgery between now & then.
The Mets will also also almost certainly protect Gabriel Ynoa and Domingo Tapia out of A-Ball as well. And Jake DeGrom as well. Matt Den Dekker seem very likely to be added among hitters.
These 4, along with Matz seem like absolute locks. Now, there are several pitchers who will be on the ” bubble”:
Rainy Lara
Erik Goeddel
Jeff Walters
Chase Huchingson
Plus hitters such as
Corey Vaughn
Juan Centeno
Darrel Ceciliani
Aderlin Rodriguez
They will be “battling” holdovers such as G.Germen, H.Robles or the plethora of Quad A players currently on the 40-man roster.
If the Mets decide to bring up Rafael Montero, Jack Leathersich and / or Cory Mazzoni prematurely, it’d further complicate matters.
Yes, I guess about 7 or 8 players will be added – with about a dozen mereting serious consideration.
The Mets will also have to keep some roster space open for free agents they’ll probably try to sign, so just eliminating all the crap & free agents from the 40-man and exchanging them with a dozen or so prospects won’t work.
Honestly is this a real question? How could they not protect him?
Since I started this discussion I will chime in. Really great feedback and it begs the question as to whether the Mets can push a pitcher like Jack LeatherRocket, who does not need to be protected on the 40 man roster from the Rule 5 draft until after 2014 season ,when they have a pitcher like Steve Matz in low A with MLB talent that needs to be protected.
Since you will probably need to .limit Matz’s innings to about 120 this season, I would push him to PCL to give him about 60 innings there and then the AFL to make a decision. While you are showcasing him, you need to find out if his arm will hold up,. If you baby him and then protect him you might end up protecting a pitcher who may never be a MLB starter because of his tender arm.
Tough call and great dilemma. It shows that the Mets are really starting to build depth in their system and are ready to trade chips for MLB ready players. I guess Sandy’s plan is actually working.