Young is simply a placeholder until young starters are ready and everyone knows it. He's not taking Mejia's spot, or any youngster who should be in the majors right now for that matter.

You can want Mejia to be a starter, but giving Young some starts this year until youngsters are ready doesn't have anything to do with that.

Agreed. The Mejia decision has nothing to do with Young, as confounding as it is.

Listen, I understand that Young is a place-holder, but in actuality his "place-holding" is interfering with Mejia being our 5th starter. Mejia's place may eventually be in the pen, but 100 times out of 100 I would give the opportunity to a 22-year old former #1 prospect over a guy who's throwing 81mph and who also came off of major shoulder surgery. Young is Sandy's binky -- let's just call it like it is.

If Mejia was truly an option for the rotation, he'd still be there. There is nothing in stone that Gee or Young are not replaceable at some point, while Mejia continues to start.

They are putting Mejia in pen-training because that is where they see him.

Absolutely untrue, as far as the placeholding interfering with Mejia being the fifth starter. Mejia, if developed as a starter, is nowhere near ready to step into the Mets rotation, and shouldn't even be considered for such a role any time soon. He's just coming back from TJ surgery, and has no successful starting history at high levels. Let him dominate AAA, then we can talk.

The issue to me has been Sandy's comments implying Mejia starting is MAYBE a possibility down the line vs. implying that's the plan. But I've given up hope on Mejia starting. He's a reliever. It is what it is.

Frankly, I'm more interested about Mejia turning his stuff into consistent results, getting AAA hitters out consistently, than I am in whether he starts or relieves. He's young and raw and just off TJ. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

The Mets themselves seem to be the ones prepping him for imminent return based on their quotes.

Agreed. The Mejia decision has nothing to do with Young, as confounding as it is.[/quote]


Listen, I understand that Young is a place-holder, but in actuality his "place-holding" is interfering with Mejia being our 5th starter. Mejia's place may eventually be in the pen, but 100 times out of 100 I would give the opportunity to a 22-year old former #1 prospect over a guy who's throwing 81mph and who also came off of major shoulder surgery. Young is Sandy's binky -- let's just call it like it is.[/quote]

Absolutely untrue, as far as the placeholding interfering with Mejia being the fifth starter. Mejia, if developed as a starter, is nowhere near ready to step into the Mets rotation, and shouldn't even be considered for such a role any time soon. He's just coming back from TJ surgery, and has no successful starting history at high levels. Let him dominate AAA, then we can talk.[/quote]

Absolutely untrue? Really? Prior to his injury, Mejia was developed as a starter throughout his minor-league career and sported a 2.74 era as one. Additionally, he struck out almost a batter an inning. This notion/theme that Mejia still has more to prove in the minors is a joke to me. The only thing that he needs to prove is that he's healthy, which he has done. Finally, we are choosing a guy (in Young) who doesn't possess a major-league fastball right now, and who is coming off of a more severe surgery than Mejia.

Lantin,
I think you are arguing 2 different points. 1) You feel Mejia is a starter and should remain one (I agree) but apparently the Mets don't agree 2) Chris Young over Mejia. Chris Young over Mejia has to do with the belief Mejia is a reliever. If it weren't Chris Young it would be Garrett Olson or it would be Collin McHugh or maybe Jason Marquis (thank God he's not available anymore). Young isn't the reason for Mejia to the pen. In fact, I'd prefer it was because it would likely imply long-term Mejia would return to starting.

I am indeed arguing two points and I appreciate you noticing that, Metro. Because Young is a legit starting option, I feel that it makes the Mets decision easier. Although they note otherwise, I still feel the Mets are on the fence regarding Mejia's future. Starting him to work on all of his pitches, so that he can go to the pen and use all of them doesn't make sense to me. Usually, power relievers have two pitches (if that). Why do they need him to work on all of them if he is to be a reliever? I guess my point here is that having a guy like Young around helps make their decision easier for them, because Mejia > Hefner/Olson/Schwinden as a starter.

Amended Top 10, anyone?

1. Zack Wheeler
2. Matt Harvey
3. Jenrry Mejia
4. Jeurys Familia
5. Wilmer Flores
6. Brandon Nimmo
7. Cesar Puello
8. Michael Fulmer
9. Jefry Marte
10. Domingo Tapia

And how on earth did we not have Rafael Montero in the top 30?