You nailed it, Drew. Rarely has a Mets season ended below .500 with me feeling this optimistic—and actually eager for spring training.
Maybe I saw a few green shoots in 1968. Certainly in 2014. But it doesn’t happen often.
This group gave me hope.
Somewhere during the summer, the Mets went from a team I occasionally invented reasons not to watch to one I wanted to see every night. Young players emerged. Young pitchers made you sit up a little straighter. Losing games stopped feeling like evidence of hopelessness and started feeling like part of building something.
There are plenty of winter questions. They need a front-line starter. What do you do with the albatross contracts? Whither Baty, Alvarez and Vientos? Who stays? Who gets thanked for his service and pointed toward the exit?
But baseball rebuilds get awfully interesting when you start with good young pitching.
For the first time in a while, I look at this Mets team and believe there are more good days ahead than bad ones.
Team shoukd allow Sean and Pintaro to move on......Sean would be a good pitching coach.. But the meatballs he serves up are being targeted by hitters....he lows about 1 run per inning. That's not allowable.
At least we finished with the 6th worst record to give us a shot at a high draft pick. I agree the future is bright with our young guys - I’d add Lavender to that list too. Need to add a top end starter for sure. Not sure what to do with Semien and Polanco but they can’t play in 27.
The team needs multiple pieces, and his contract will be a tad ridiculous.
I would aim for a good, reliable starter and maybe someone tossed in, since ‘you never have too much pitching.’
I am optimistic. They have some exciting pieces, especially in the rotation and outfield. The infield is more of a question mark. I think the pen will be okay. They have a few good arms, and Boy Genius has done fairly well in that department. The closer is one concern.
The key to Sunday was Lindor getting the homer. And, yes, SM is a nice guy, but he’s not really a steady rotation piece. He’s a fill-in, bulk type guy.
Your other piece? Clay Holmes - give him more length than you would want if he agrees, that down the road, he goes back in the pen without bitching about.
1. Mendoza should never have been brought back. I don’t know if this was a playoff team without him - but they needed a stronger manager
2. I think the Mets started to play better this year once there was no more pressure on them. By the time they looked competitive the season was already over for them. Easier to play when there is less stress. Interested how the same players start next year.
3. People keep talking about free agent signings. There is no way that there won’t be a salary cap next year. And it might take a lockout to get there. Question is, with a salary cap (that has to come with a salary floor), the Mets were 100 million over the luxury tax threshold. It’s unlikely that baseball will choose a cap 100 million or more over the luxury tax threshold. So free agent pursuits for the Mets are highly unlikely - especially on the top end. It means there will be an increased need to develop minor league talent. The trade deadline dump this year will take on a greater role in shaping this team than previously thought. Since the Mets have a glut of second base prospects - you could seem someone being positioned to play first and second (possibly swapping with Bo and the prospect playing 3rd)
Soto- Lose 10 pounds (he is very heavy in the legs), learn to play first base.
Bichette - I think I am the only one who hopes he leaves. I dont like his approach, his swing, and how many of his hits just seem to be softly hit balls that fall in front of people. He is meh defender and slower than most infielders. At the price he gets, just dont get it.
They need a right handed masher who plays left field/first base or third base.
A bizarre - aggressine lineup next year would be C- Alvarez/Torrens 1b - Soto 2b Pitre (ML), ss Lindor 3b Rojas (ML) LF - ?? CF - Ewing RF - Benge More speed, more defense, younger (enthusiastic) with less pressure on it. Baty/Semien (Contract) on the bench. Morabito on the bench.
You nailed it, Drew. Rarely has a Mets season ended below .500 with me feeling this optimistic—and actually eager for spring training.
Maybe I saw a few green shoots in 1968. Certainly in 2014. But it doesn’t happen often.
This group gave me hope.
Somewhere during the summer, the Mets went from a team I occasionally invented reasons not to watch to one I wanted to see every night. Young players emerged. Young pitchers made you sit up a little straighter. Losing games stopped feeling like evidence of hopelessness and started feeling like part of building something.
There are plenty of winter questions. They need a front-line starter. What do you do with the albatross contracts? Whither Baty, Alvarez and Vientos? Who stays? Who gets thanked for his service and pointed toward the exit?
But baseball rebuilds get awfully interesting when you start with good young pitching.
For the first time in a while, I look at this Mets team and believe there are more good days ahead than bad ones.
See you in Port St. Lucie.
Team shoukd allow Sean and Pintaro to move on......Sean would be a good pitching coach.. But the meatballs he serves up are being targeted by hitters....he lows about 1 run per inning. That's not allowable.
expensive write-off … SM is now basically a replacement-level fifth starter who is a useful clubhouse guy
At least we finished with the 6th worst record to give us a shot at a high draft pick. I agree the future is bright with our young guys - I’d add Lavender to that list too. Need to add a top end starter for sure. Not sure what to do with Semien and Polanco but they can’t play in 27.
I still think Skrubal isn’t necessary.
The team needs multiple pieces, and his contract will be a tad ridiculous.
I would aim for a good, reliable starter and maybe someone tossed in, since ‘you never have too much pitching.’
I am optimistic. They have some exciting pieces, especially in the rotation and outfield. The infield is more of a question mark. I think the pen will be okay. They have a few good arms, and Boy Genius has done fairly well in that department. The closer is one concern.
The key to Sunday was Lindor getting the homer. And, yes, SM is a nice guy, but he’s not really a steady rotation piece. He’s a fill-in, bulk type guy.
Your other piece? Clay Holmes - give him more length than you would want if he agrees, that down the road, he goes back in the pen without bitching about.
That sort of guy. The choice is flexible.
I would’ve stopped watching the season if it weren’t for Benge. As for next year, Alvarez and Vientos need to go. Probably Manaea too.
A couple of thoughts
1. Mendoza should never have been brought back. I don’t know if this was a playoff team without him - but they needed a stronger manager
2. I think the Mets started to play better this year once there was no more pressure on them. By the time they looked competitive the season was already over for them. Easier to play when there is less stress. Interested how the same players start next year.
3. People keep talking about free agent signings. There is no way that there won’t be a salary cap next year. And it might take a lockout to get there. Question is, with a salary cap (that has to come with a salary floor), the Mets were 100 million over the luxury tax threshold. It’s unlikely that baseball will choose a cap 100 million or more over the luxury tax threshold. So free agent pursuits for the Mets are highly unlikely - especially on the top end. It means there will be an increased need to develop minor league talent. The trade deadline dump this year will take on a greater role in shaping this team than previously thought. Since the Mets have a glut of second base prospects - you could seem someone being positioned to play first and second (possibly swapping with Bo and the prospect playing 3rd)
But this will be an interesting offseason
Soto- Lose 10 pounds (he is very heavy in the legs), learn to play first base.
Bichette - I think I am the only one who hopes he leaves. I dont like his approach, his swing, and how many of his hits just seem to be softly hit balls that fall in front of people. He is meh defender and slower than most infielders. At the price he gets, just dont get it.
They need a right handed masher who plays left field/first base or third base.
A bizarre - aggressine lineup next year would be C- Alvarez/Torrens 1b - Soto 2b Pitre (ML), ss Lindor 3b Rojas (ML) LF - ?? CF - Ewing RF - Benge More speed, more defense, younger (enthusiastic) with less pressure on it. Baty/Semien (Contract) on the bench. Morabito on the bench.