I just don't think you can take the chance of trading away the majority of your top prospects for someone who can bolt after the season. It would set them back for years if it didn't work out.
At this point, assuming they're not in on any of the major free agents, I'd rather just give the prospects a chance in 2026 and go all in for the 2027 season. I know that is wasting a year of Soto, but I don't want to see half measures that gut the farm system. They'll also have more money coming off the books in 2027 to make deals.
There are only 3 position players locked in for the Opening Day lineup ... SS, 2B, and RF. While Mendoza has said Baty will be the OD 3B, I'm not so sure he'll even be on the roster ... same with Alvarez. That screams "rebuild" ... but, as has been said, it's still December. I can't see how Stearns is going to fill out that lineup, create a rotation, and fill out the BP with playoff-caliber players between now and OD, making the season, to me, a rebuild. February 12 (pitchers and catchers) is just around the corner. I never saw this coming.
Anybody is available but a handful . But unlike press conference where we were told Mets would be aggressive this offseason seems that is not matching up so far. Only way you trade for Skubal is if he agreed to extension . No way this is rebuild .
I'd like to see Acuna at 2B but I can't see Stearns trading away Semien. That money, for the little, if any, better defense Semien may offer can be better spent elsewhere. Mendoza, for some strange reason, has already said Baty is the OD 3B.
The only really solid pitcher is McLean. Peterson is a 5+ ERA pitcher, Manaea is good for 3-4 innings, Senga has missed at least 50% of his starts in Japan and USA, Montas is beyond garbage (as is Megill). So we really probably need #1, #3, #4 and use McLean as #2, Peterson as #5, Manaea in long relief and double headers, DFA Montas and Megill.
Montas is gone already. Megill served his purpose in the past. He had his moments in the sun. Let's not put him in the same category as Montas.
I think Holmes is good enough to be in the back-end of the rotation. You have McLean. Peterson is good enough as well, though, along with Holmes, surely disposable. You probably want one or two other rookies competing. They need to find a front-line starter at least.
To answer a question, no, you don't oversell for one year for that guy. That's desperation talking.
It will take several seismic moves to restore optimism for 2026. The FA market is uninspiring - Tucker and Bellinger are the best bats available. Neither, or even both, won't replace what we lost.
Valdez and his "sub 3.70 ERA" is the best among starters although Stearns would probably like old war horses Scherzer and Verlander for what's shaping up as a bridge season. Welcome back.
That leaves the trade market and other teams smell blood in Flushing Bay now. Who do we give up and for whom?
We're clearly looking at a reset season that will make 83 wins look good.
It will be awhile before the fans rock Citi Field again.
It's going to be a busy winter. I think signing Michael King will be the only real rotation move, though. We're not going to trade the farm just to rent Skubal for a season.
As to the rest, if we pony up for Tucker, it's going to make another right-handed bat even more of a priority. It's possible Vientos can be that guy and fill the hole at first base, too. Do we gamble on that?
I don't know. There aren't a lot of options out there. Maybe the Tigers would deal Torkelson for some prospects, but I'm not sure there's any difference between him and Swaggy over 650 PA.
Other than that, it's tough to see anything evolving outside of an out-of-the-blue blockbuster.
I just don't think you can take the chance of trading away the majority of your top prospects for someone who can bolt after the season. It would set them back for years if it didn't work out.
At this point, assuming they're not in on any of the major free agents, I'd rather just give the prospects a chance in 2026 and go all in for the 2027 season. I know that is wasting a year of Soto, but I don't want to see half measures that gut the farm system. They'll also have more money coming off the books in 2027 to make deals.
There are only 3 position players locked in for the Opening Day lineup ... SS, 2B, and RF. While Mendoza has said Baty will be the OD 3B, I'm not so sure he'll even be on the roster ... same with Alvarez. That screams "rebuild" ... but, as has been said, it's still December. I can't see how Stearns is going to fill out that lineup, create a rotation, and fill out the BP with playoff-caliber players between now and OD, making the season, to me, a rebuild. February 12 (pitchers and catchers) is just around the corner. I never saw this coming.
Anybody is available but a handful . But unlike press conference where we were told Mets would be aggressive this offseason seems that is not matching up so far. Only way you trade for Skubal is if he agreed to extension . No way this is rebuild .
Who will play 2B might not be a lock. Catcher might be. The concern now seems to be finding a #3.
I'd like to see Acuna at 2B but I can't see Stearns trading away Semien. That money, for the little, if any, better defense Semien may offer can be better spent elsewhere. Mendoza, for some strange reason, has already said Baty is the OD 3B.
The only really solid pitcher is McLean. Peterson is a 5+ ERA pitcher, Manaea is good for 3-4 innings, Senga has missed at least 50% of his starts in Japan and USA, Montas is beyond garbage (as is Megill). So we really probably need #1, #3, #4 and use McLean as #2, Peterson as #5, Manaea in long relief and double headers, DFA Montas and Megill.
Montas is gone already. Megill served his purpose in the past. He had his moments in the sun. Let's not put him in the same category as Montas.
I think Holmes is good enough to be in the back-end of the rotation. You have McLean. Peterson is good enough as well, though, along with Holmes, surely disposable. You probably want one or two other rookies competing. They need to find a front-line starter at least.
To answer a question, no, you don't oversell for one year for that guy. That's desperation talking.
It will take several seismic moves to restore optimism for 2026. The FA market is uninspiring - Tucker and Bellinger are the best bats available. Neither, or even both, won't replace what we lost.
Valdez and his "sub 3.70 ERA" is the best among starters although Stearns would probably like old war horses Scherzer and Verlander for what's shaping up as a bridge season. Welcome back.
That leaves the trade market and other teams smell blood in Flushing Bay now. Who do we give up and for whom?
We're clearly looking at a reset season that will make 83 wins look good.
It will be awhile before the fans rock Citi Field again.
Mets fan 1962-2025
Orioles and Dodgers fan 2026-xxxx(hopefully 2050)
It's going to be a busy winter. I think signing Michael King will be the only real rotation move, though. We're not going to trade the farm just to rent Skubal for a season.
As to the rest, if we pony up for Tucker, it's going to make another right-handed bat even more of a priority. It's possible Vientos can be that guy and fill the hole at first base, too. Do we gamble on that?
I don't know. There aren't a lot of options out there. Maybe the Tigers would deal Torkelson for some prospects, but I'm not sure there's any difference between him and Swaggy over 650 PA.
Other than that, it's tough to see anything evolving outside of an out-of-the-blue blockbuster.