Uncustomed Heroes of 2018: Mets

So...despite the fact that the Mets are rapidly trying to put the 2018 season behind them by dealing like MAD this offseason, the Mets' '18 season wasn't entirely bad. True, it had a bad ending, but for the most part, the Mets were able to hang in there and pop back into the race when it was most unfortunate (for Philly).

The rise of Amed Rosario was a sharp factor in the Mets' September rise. He's a power hitter who, despite high strikeouts, can hold his own in a lineup of similar hitters. With the loss of several veteran big guns this year, and even with Cano's addition, expect Rosario to make a front-and-center splash for the Mets in 2019.

 Though Michael Conforto's season wasn't near as good as his 2017, thanks in part to a much lower average. He still hit 28 home runs, which was a team high, and will probably be relied upon as a marquee star for the Mets from here on out, but he's far from Mr. Perfect.

 Steven Matz, of the core four young pitchers in Queens (who managed to stick around), may have given the weakest performance, thanks to a 5-11 record, but he can still throw strikes, and though 152 strikeouts is low compared to Thor and deGrom, it's the kind of SO numbers that the Padres would wish for.

 Jay Bruce had his weakest season to date, marred by injuries and some increasingly poor at-bats. After a 2017 year where he powered the Indians through September, this was especially disappointing. Bruce is a fantastic player, and hopefully this isn't the norm for him, but...the Mariners will have to wait and see who they get.

 Wilmer Flores, 3 years after weeping his way out of a trade, finally played his last game in New York, though not before essentially taking over at 1st base, hitting over 100 hits for the first time since 2015, and hitting his lowest amount of strikeouts since becoming a regular member of the team. Hopefully wherever he lands will treat him as well as the Mets have.

 Austin Jackson began the season with the Giants, was traded, along with Cory Gearrin, to the Rangers as part of a deal that would be nullified once both players would end up being traded or DFA'd anyway. Jackson wound up as an emergency outfield fill-in, and he did fairly well for himself, with 49 hits in 57 games, a .250 average, and some uniformly nice defensive outfield.

 This season did mark an end for two Mets legends. Jose Reyes' end is a little less concrete, as he potentially COULD sign somewhere in 2019, but after a 2018 where he batted just .189 in 110 games, only getting 43 hits...any signing would be resting on mythology rather than present talent. If this is the end for Jose, at least he got to end it in Queens, alongside his frequent collaborator...

David Wright. He only needed 2 games to make a final statement in Queens...and he didn't get a hit in either of them. But he mainly wanted to come back to Citifield to say goodbye to the fans that had adored him so much. The guy lost some prime years to injuries, as well as possibly risking his HOF case, but he's more than beloved in New York, and he's a team Hall of Famer for sure. I'm glad he got a fair sendoff, and I hope the Mets can find a captain as worthy, and as well-rounded, as Wright.

Coming Tomorrow- They came very close at the end, but ultimately they couldn't even make it all the way in Bryce Harper's last year on the team.

Uncustomed Heroes of 2017: Indians

Even if they didn't win a World Series, the 2017 Indians were going to go down in history. With a huge winning streak, a Cy-Young winning pitcher, and a ton of talent and insanity, this was an Indians team that had everything the 2016 team had, except for the luck.

Michael Brantley had a great start, and an ASG nod to boot, but the injuries that have stopped him from becoming truly great hit again this year (must be a theme with Cleveland outfielders this century). Hopefully he'll stick around longer next year.

Yan Gomes, like it or not, was the starting catcher in Cleveland this year, as their other option, Roberto Perez, tanked in most categories this year. Gomes was a bit more consistent than he's been, but it wouldn't shock me if the Tribe figures out a way to improve their catching situation this offseason.

Danny Salazar scared a couple people by tanking some starts and winding up in the bullpen, but he rebounded and made it back to relevancy upon Josh Tomlin's decline, and had a relatively decent end to the season.

For my money, Lonnie Chisenhall is the single greatest bench player of this decade. He's not usually counted on to start games, but he's been a solid presence in Cleveland's roster since the early 2000s, and he had another great season this year, having some nice hits and keeping the bench strong. I don't know if 2018 means he'll be starting or not, but whatever position he's in, I imagine he'll do well.

Meanwhile, AUSTIN JACKSON OF ALL PEOPLE was the Indians' starting center fielder until Jay Bruce appeared on the scene, and he did a bang-up job, posting his best numbers since being in Detroit, and having one of the best catches of the year in Boston. His position diminished slightly once Bruce got here, but with Bruce likely going somewhere else, Jackson could be a good inexpensive choice for Cleveland.

Giovanny Urshela took over for Jason Kipnis at 2nd for most of the season, and while he wasn't perfect, he did a nice enough job that the Indians are probably going to look into having him as a bench choice for the 2018 season.

Cody Allen had another strong year as Indians closer, keeping the ninth safe and locking up the job done by a surprisingly passionate Indians bullpen this year (even with fluctuating Andrew Miller). Not sure about his job stability, but glad he's still pretty consistent.

Meanwhile, this guy cemented his status as one of the best pitchers in baseball, by winning his 2nd Cy Young and proving that he's not a one-season pony. The guy's done an excellent job carrying this rotation to the forefront, and this second Cy was the cherry on top. I hope he nabs a few more great seasons in Cleveland.

Coming Tomorrow- They might be on their way to an above-500 record in 2018, but it'll take more than a few little moves, which...admittedly, was their 2017 plan.

Uncustomed Heroes of 2015: Cubs

Man, Miguel Montero has every right to be smiling right now. The Chicago Cubs did so well this season, and they were inches away from a World Series, too. How often do you get to say that??

While Montero wasn't healthy for all of 2015, when he was behind the plate he was as reliable as usual, giving a solid bat as well. The Cubs should be glad they got him.

Meanwhile, Javier Baez FFFIIIINNALLLLY got to what all the prospectors had been promising this year. He came in late in the season and started hitting like a champ, taking shortstop and second on off-days and playing like a pro, even hitting well into the postseason.

Hector Rondon entered a hazy closer picture and came out as a solid, consistent ninth inning option, even forcing Fernando Rodney and Jason Motte, former knockout closers, to work the seventh and eighth on some nights. Rondon will hopefully be the option for a few more seasons.

I adore everything about this card. Deforfia, yeah, he did a solid job off the bench this year, but look at that card. That pose is ridiculous, and I love it so much.

Austin Jackson began his season in Seattle, and ended his season as an outfield option for the Cubs, which is not a bad outcome for a guy who got traded for Curtis Granderson.

Coming Tomorrow- The Diamondbacks are indeed going places. We get to see some of the formula for possible success forming.

Uncustomed Heroes of Baseball: Tigers

 I love this shot. If this was an actual card, people would still be showing it on the blogs all over.

Either way, the Tigers had another really, really nice season in 2013, only falling short due to the unstoppable Red Sox team. Austin Jackson wasn't nearly as big as he was in 2012, but he was nice as an outfielder.

 Anibal Sanchez was another piece of that meaty Detroit rotation, behind Scherzer, Verlander and Fister. I'm just happy he got out of Miami while he could.

Victor Martinez wishes it was 2008 and this was Cleveland. It sadly isn't, and V-Mart is an overrated DH.

Coming Tomorrow- The Twins were disappointing in 2013, but here are two people that are sticking around.

Revenge of the Underdogs

 

 In a flurry of bats and shut-down-offenses, Zack Greinke and the Dodgers shut down the Cardinals to stay alive. I really hope that they hang on for game six. These guys are too fun NOT to be in the World Series.

Meanwhile, in far more indifferent territory, the Tigers got a win last night, themselves staying alive and defying the odds. I still think the Sox are the better team here, but I wouldn't mind the Tigers going as well.

Custom Card of the Day: Jackson Edition

 

First of all, I love this custom. Just getting it out there.

I'm always going to be adamant that we were robbed in giving up Austin Jackson in the Curtis Granderson trade. To be fair, I think Grandy's awesome, and we're lucky to have him, but there was a brief period of time when I thought Jackson would be the centerfielder of the future. This was as brief as the time I thought Jesus Montero would be the catcher of the future, or that Kei Igaw-oh who am I kidding.

Still, after the season Jackson's having, it would be cool if he were still a Yankee. He's been playing pretty well, backed by a solid team and a star pitcher. 

How he didn't make the All Star team is a mystery. I blame Ron Washington. 

 Coming Tomorrow- His team's leading the AL Central, and he's their star pitcher. And no, that isn't Rod Serling waiting in the dugout.

Custom Card of the Day: Jackson Edition

For all of 2010 I was complaining that the Yankees were absolute idiots to give up Austin Jackson. For one thing, I'd thought he'd be the centerfielder of the future. He could hit homers, he could field well, and he seemed like the next big thing. Of course...you know what happened next. He was traded to Detroit for another guy who was cited as the next big thing by his team, Curtis Granderson. So a year later, I have yet to determine who was the victor. Until now.

The Yankees recieved a power hitting outfielder, that got an All Star nomination this year, and rightfully so. The season Granderson is having rivals only one other batter this season, and that's Adrian Gonzalez. But Granderson is fighting with Gonzalez and Bautista for the leader in home runs this season, and I sure hope he wins. He deserves an MVP award this season.

Jackson has had a unrightfully less awesome two seasons. He started out having an epic rookie season, but this season just wasn't as good. He's been striking out waay too much, and his hitting has diminished. It's safe to say that I was wrong in thinking that Jackson was the ultimate outfielder, and I'm happy to deal with Granderson.

Although if we trade Jesus Montero, then I'll have beef.

Coming Tomorrow- During the game of Musical Chairs for the third outfield spot in Philadelphia, this guy has been the quickest, and has shown the most potential.

The Man Jackson...and I don't mean Michael

This guy would have been so good for the Yankees- shame they traded him for Granderson. Still, the Tigers are lucky.

Tomorrow- I seriously have no idea. I have to go make some more. Somebody good, though.