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Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets for 2020

ByTal Venada|
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 01: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets and Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies during a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 1, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 01: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets and Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies during a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 1, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
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Phillies
Gregorius will round the bases for the Phillies in 2020. Photo by Cooper Neill/MLB Photos via Getty Images.

Pluses and minuses:       

To compete with the Phillies, New York signed two five-slot arms to battle for that spot. Wacha ($3 million) made 24 starts with a 4.76 ERA, and Porcello ($10 million) had 32 outings with a 5.52 ERA. Relief-wise, Betances worked only 2/3 of a frame, and Brach ($0.85 million) had a 5.47 ERA.

Mets added pitching:

  • Porcello, 31: 32 Gms., 174 1/3 Inn., 14-12, a 5.52 ERA, a 1.8 fWAR and a 1.39 WHIP.
  • Wacha, 28.5: 29 Gms. (5 relief), 126 2/3 Inn., 6-7, a 4.76 ERA, a -0.2 fWAR and a 1.56 WHIP.
  • *Brach, 33.5: 58 Gms., 54 1/3 Inn., 6 Holds, a 5.47 ERA, a 0.7 fWAR and a 1.62 WHIP.
    * All in relief

Mets added hitting:   

  • Marisnick, 28.5: 120 Gms., 318 PA, a .233 Avg., 10 HR, 34 RBI, a .700 OPS and a 1.1 fWAR.

Mets deducted hitting: 

  • Frazier, almost 34: 133 Gms., 499 PA, a .251 Avg., 21 HR, 67 RBI, a .772 OPS and a 1.9 fWAR.

At third base, Jeff McNeil will have an everyday position unless second base becomes a run production problem. But if they’re healthy, the Metropolitans have six outfielders including a winter pickup for $3.3 million and the salary-restructured left fielder with questionable wheels.

Second chances: Closer Edwin Diaz and setup man Jeurys Familia will affect New York’s finish. Clearly, the pitching coach will have his work cut out for him to get 2018’s production from them. A clue: I had hope when they came in. But Mike Francesa at WFAN was appropriately beside himself regarding Diaz’s Philly outing.

Mets rebounding relievers:

  • Diaz, 25.5: 66 Gms., 58 Inn., a 5.59 ERA, 26 Saves, 7 BS, a 0.0 fWAR and a 1.38 WHIP.
  • Familia, 30: 66 Gms., 60 Inn., a 5.70 ERA, 14 Holds, a -0.2 fWAR and a 1.73 WHIP.

Phillies added pitching and Mets deducted pitching:

  • Wheeler, 29.5: 31 Gms., 195 1/3 Inn., 11-8, a 3.96 ERA, a 4.7 fWAR and a 1.26 WHIP.

Phillies added hitting:   

  • *Gregorius, 29.5: 82 Gms., 344 PA, a .238 Avg.,16 HR, 61 RBI, a .718 OPS and a 0.9 fWAR.
    * Injury-riddled season.

While the red pinstripes acquired Wheeler and Gregorius, they cut Hernandez, Franco and Herrera. Now, Scott Kingery will man the hot corner, Jean Segura will switch to the keystone, but Herrera will return to Triple-A. An incentive?

Phillies deducted hitting:

  • *Herrera, 28: 39 Gms., 139 PA, a .222 Avg., 1 HR, 16 RBI, a .629 OPS and a -0.4 fWAR.
  • Hernandez, 29.5: 161 Gms., 667 PA, a .279 Avg., a .333 OBP, 14 HR, 71 RBI, a .741 OPS and a 2.1 fWAR.
  • Franco, 27.5: 123 Gms., 428 PA, a .234 Avg., 17 HR, 56 RBI, a .705 OPS and a -0.5 fWAR.
    *Suspended for balance of 2019.

The relief corps will again receive contributions from counted-on arms due to season-ending injuries: Morgan, Arano and Dominguez, who is on a slower pace with three coaches monitoring him. That stated, he won’t need four weeks to be ready for Opening Day.

Hoskins will have the opportunity to redeem himself after a forgettable second half, and I wouldn’t bet against a man who is starting a family and wants to maximize his income. Meanwhile, Segura is still young enough to bounce back to a .300 average. And Aaron Nola will probably resemble 2018’s ace.

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