Although I didn’t think so because of the Mets investment in Soto in his prime years, I’m beginning to think that Stearns just wants to field a good team but not a great team for 2026 knowing 2027 might be a washout due to a strike and focusing therefore on 2028. This would be very sad in my mind since I’ve been a fan since Mets Game 1 at Shea, but it’s possible
I've been thinking about this myself. It's not hard to conclude we're treading water a little, especially since there isn't really a lot out there this cycle to fix what's ailing us.
What happened to all the speculation that the Padres can't spend money because their ownership situation is up in the air? Google "Padres desperate to reduce payroll". According to some their situation was so acute they were going to trade one of the best players in baseball to the Mets. It doesn't look like we'll have to worry about whether Tatis slides to left or displaces Soto, does it?
No doubt about it, the King signing changes the picture, at least somewhat. San Diego may be going for it rather than retooling.
At the same time, they're a little thin in the rotation still (they definitely lack depth), and they just signed Sung-Mun Song, which I highly doubt they did for Song to ride pine. So, they may still be looking to deal.
But who? They have three gigantic contracts on the books. The one they want to keep is the one everyone else wants. The two they want to get rid of are the two everyone else is skeptical about.
Freddy Freeman officially signed on with the Dodgers on March 18, 2022.
Matt Olsen was traded to the Braves on March 14, 2022 and signed an extension on March 15.
Pete signed with Baltimore on Dec. 11, and it seems the Mets were blindsided and had no Plan B.
It's still only mid-December but the pitchers and catchers report in less than two months and position guys a few days later. Time marches on ... and waits for no GM.
Hopefully, Stearns is deep into trade and /or FA negotiations that can put a playoff caliber team on the field on Opening Day ... without selling the farm
Maybe plan B is signing Bellinger and Stearns is waiting for the market to soften. Polanco isn't that much of a plan B, I'll admit. Don't think Alonso's departure blindsided them at all, they knew it was coming if they didn't accede to the 5 year contract. I'd say Diaz did blindside them, though.
Sitting around and waiting for the market to soften is not very Dodger-like ... or even Braves-like, as shown above. They lost the best closer in MLB and their most productive run producer. Aggressiveness is required if the intent is to field a playoff-caliber team in 2026. If they think Bellinger is their guy ... go get him. If they're willing to pass on 2026 and wait for 2028 ... fine ... have a nice season. Maybe I'll still be here when they decide they want to win.
Although I didn’t think so because of the Mets investment in Soto in his prime years, I’m beginning to think that Stearns just wants to field a good team but not a great team for 2026 knowing 2027 might be a washout due to a strike and focusing therefore on 2028. This would be very sad in my mind since I’ve been a fan since Mets Game 1 at Shea, but it’s possible
I've been thinking about this myself. It's not hard to conclude we're treading water a little, especially since there isn't really a lot out there this cycle to fix what's ailing us.
What happened to all the speculation that the Padres can't spend money because their ownership situation is up in the air? Google "Padres desperate to reduce payroll". According to some their situation was so acute they were going to trade one of the best players in baseball to the Mets. It doesn't look like we'll have to worry about whether Tatis slides to left or displaces Soto, does it?
No doubt about it, the King signing changes the picture, at least somewhat. San Diego may be going for it rather than retooling.
At the same time, they're a little thin in the rotation still (they definitely lack depth), and they just signed Sung-Mun Song, which I highly doubt they did for Song to ride pine. So, they may still be looking to deal.
But who? They have three gigantic contracts on the books. The one they want to keep is the one everyone else wants. The two they want to get rid of are the two everyone else is skeptical about.
Is Sean Manaea expected to be a starter in 2026?
Freddy Freeman officially signed on with the Dodgers on March 18, 2022.
Matt Olsen was traded to the Braves on March 14, 2022 and signed an extension on March 15.
Pete signed with Baltimore on Dec. 11, and it seems the Mets were blindsided and had no Plan B.
It's still only mid-December but the pitchers and catchers report in less than two months and position guys a few days later. Time marches on ... and waits for no GM.
Hopefully, Stearns is deep into trade and /or FA negotiations that can put a playoff caliber team on the field on Opening Day ... without selling the farm
Just sayin' ... 'cause 'Just Mets' allows me to.
Maybe plan B is signing Bellinger and Stearns is waiting for the market to soften. Polanco isn't that much of a plan B, I'll admit. Don't think Alonso's departure blindsided them at all, they knew it was coming if they didn't accede to the 5 year contract. I'd say Diaz did blindside them, though.
Sitting around and waiting for the market to soften is not very Dodger-like ... or even Braves-like, as shown above. They lost the best closer in MLB and their most productive run producer. Aggressiveness is required if the intent is to field a playoff-caliber team in 2026. If they think Bellinger is their guy ... go get him. If they're willing to pass on 2026 and wait for 2028 ... fine ... have a nice season. Maybe I'll still be here when they decide they want to win.