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Nick Evans, who is 25 years old and on a team with 91 losses, and who has not played in more than a week, has just 20 at bats since being added to the roster 37 days ago.
Evans hit .259 between June 30 and July 7, a stretch in which he started all seven games – he was then demoted three days later.
In a report for MLB.com, Jerry Manuel said of Evans and playing time:
“We are in a situation where we are somewhat forced to bring people up, probably quicker than we would have liked… and he is probably one of those guys that we probably pushed a little too early, and then when you do that it appears that his stock has fallen, but it hasn’t.”
…so, the Mets had no choice but to call up evans because of the injuries, and jerry thinks he has struggled because of being pushed… but, how better to increase his stock price than to play him every day so he can re-gain his confidence and let everyone know what he’s about, including his own team… i mean, doesn’t his value also go down sitting idle on a team in fourth place…
… 25 years old… 91 losses… 20 at bats in 37 days… i don’t get it…
B.S. F-Mart, now he was pushed along too early. Evans is 5 years older. He just missed making the team out of spring training, how has he been pushed a little too early?
Not to mention he started quite a bit last year
bottom line: Jerry can’t manage this team, with or without injuries, time to move on!!
I am at a complete loss. The FO and manager are clueless.
Matt,
I couldn’t disagree more about Evans’ playing time. How can you possibly play Evans over more deserving old players like Tatis or scrubs like Reed?
I honestly don’t know if Evans kicked Manuel’s dog or hit on his wife, but he did something.
It’s a shame because these last few weeks would have been a good opportunity to see if the kid can stick as a bench player. But, hey, you still got Tatis.
Evans as probably friends with Church..
As I said yesterday, this by itself is a fireable offense for Jerry. I truly hate him because of things like this.
As someone on another blog said, Evans was good enough to start Game 162 last year, with the freaking playoffs on the line, but he can’t get into meaningless September games over Tatis, Sullivan and Sheffield?
Evans isn’t a star and is probably a platoon player in the future, but give him the chance to hit righties. He’d be a real nice option at first or even right field against lefties next year.
Jerry does not have a single redeeming quality. He’s incompetent, arrogant, selfish, mean-spirited, petty, etc.
Nick should be given the chance to play these last few games, let the kid have some playing time Jerry.
Not sure if Matt or anyone else here was watching last night’s game when Gary, Keith, and Ron talked in depth about the work Evans has been doing with HoJo while with the team, and how he is looking forward to putting the lessons into action in winter ball when he will be playing every day and out of the spotlight.
A few things – fans may not be watching anymore, but scouts are. If the Mets feel he isn’t quite where he needs to be, why run him out there to make a fool of himself and further kill his value around the league?
Secondly, as fans we turn the TV on at 7:30, watch til 10:30, and then say “gee, Evens is just wasting away.” We don’t see batting practice. We don’t see fielding drills. we don’t know what the coaches are working on with a guy. To say he is ‘wasting away’ is a bit shortsighted.
Lastly, they also talked last night about how Evans is still far more comfortable on the infield. So everyone who loses their business anytime Murphy gets benched now wants to clamor for Evans, when Evans is best suited to play…first base! Again, if he’s not a ML-caliber outfielder, why run him out there?
People ought to just relax. Evans isn’t ready to just shove out there after the dreadful year he’s had. They are still looking at Sullivan and Pagan, and I hope no one is suggesting Francoeur or Beltran sit just to get Evans some ABs. The Mets are clueless in alot of areas, but this isn’t one of them. Evans is only here because he is on the 40-man and its a good opportunity to get him working with HoJo. That’s it.
Murphy should be benched much more often, especially against all lefties.
And I’d be fine with Francouer sitting as well. He should also have shut it down a few weeks ago with his bad thumb.
Oh I forgot. He’s gritty. He used to be a football player.
And we’ve used non-MLB-caliber outfielders all year — Sheffield, Tatis and Sullivan come to mind.
Sheffield? Sheffield has about 4 PH at-bats in the last 5-6 weeks.
And Sullivan is an excellent defensive outfielder.
Honestly Pagan has been getting the lion’s share of the time in LF, so I’m not sure why you are harping on these other guys. Evans was a mess all year, and had no business playing over any of them.
A) Those 4 at-bats should have gone to Evans
B) There is absolutely no reason for Tatis or Sullivan to get playing time over Evans. We know what they are (terrible).
Nick Evans is fine, i agree he should get a few starts. I don’t mind Pagan getting the start over Evans, Pagan will more likely than not be the 4th OFer next year so that’s why he is playing. I don’t know why Tatis starts over Evans. I guess it probably means that Tatis is going to be on the team next year…i don’t know
While I think Dave27 may be right there are also other factors. I’m sure they are trying to get a handle on Pagan. Is he a starter in LF
next year, a 4th OF or trade bait in the offseason? Finally, while I am not a fan of Jerry, I can understand why he can’t afford to just let this team suck over the final few weeks, it may mean his job. He is putting a line up out there that he thinks gives him the best chance to win.
I don’t mind Murphy sitting against leftys, I do object to Tatis getting playing time at 1B over Evans. Evans isn’t going to be an all star, and he might not be a long term major leaguer, but he deserves the chance to play over a waste like Tatis
I have to believe that Manuel is trying to win every game possible to keep his job. Why else would they be playing their “regulars” on a normal basis and why are they not bringing up guys like Ike Davis or Mejia to simply get a taste. This team is not being managed like a team that has been eliminated, rather it is being managed like a team that has to win as many games as possible.
Jerry’s excuse for not playing Evans is BS considering how often Thole is run out there.
Free Nicky Evans!
A better question, why do we care about Nick Evans? He has no future with this organization.
I can understand why he can’t afford to just let this team suck over the final few weeks
If he cannot afford this scenario, he is now bankrupt!!