I don't see any reason to think the Mets would be at a substantial advantage compared to other teams when Peralta and Skubal hit the market a year from now. Since it's at least an even chance that they'd be one year rentals, how can you blow, say, 2-3 top tier prospects on that return? I would not, for example, send Sproat, Williams, Santucci, and Ross for one season of those guys (I've read that Detroit has lots of their own quality position prospects). And I definitely wouldn't include Tong and Baty in a deal. #2: I'm not so sure--as the column implies--that the Mets can be given credit for a lineup-building strategy based on lower strikeout rates ("contactability"--novel!). It's more likely they just got the best bat they could sign and worry about defense later. #3: Bader, Robert, Nootbaar: no, no, and no. If they can't sign Bellinger, I'd rather give the playing time to Benge or Williams or Acuna.
If I'm Stearns, I'm sitting tight on the prospects unless I get a Deal of the Century. We don't look like a potential championship club in need of just one more piece. A fruitless expenditure of prospect capital for a one-year rental makes no sense.
A trade-and-sign would work, but if you're Skubal or Peralta, why agree to a contract now? The only reason to do it would be the expectation of a tougher market under the new CBA. Which it might be. But there's no way to know that right now.
(Peralta might figure it a little differently and be glad to lock in for something like a 5 year/$175mm AAV contract, maybe with a couple tail end options.)
Semien, Baty and Jett Williams were working out together in Texas last week. So, they're getting ahead of it a little.
But it still seems like one heck of a traffic jam. Bichette playing left instead of third solves every problem, but I'm not sure if he can play out there. Then again, he's never played third either. Polanco has never played first except for a third of an inning.
One interesting twist: Baty has 29 games in left under his belt in the minors. If he goes out there, it solves the lineup problem, although it makes one wonder about the whole run prevention thing.
The point's been made that conversions from short to third can work out fine. Except that since Bichette's been below-average at short, it would seem mighty optimistic to think he'll provide the defense that Baty has.
I think the team went into the off season planning a long game but that wasn’t working out and when they missed out on a short term Tucker realized they had to field a team that put some bodies in the seats and at the concession stands in 2026, aka the short term. Ergo, Bo Bichette and possibly Cody Bellinger. What’s happening with the pitching staff, or rather what’s not happening with the staff, is a mystery, I assume, to most of the fan base. Go Mets.
Aside to David Stearns … I will not be ready to pitch by opening day.
As far as the Dodgers’ interest in Peralta, I don’t think that’s sincere. The Dodgers have starters galore and it’s not that they can’t get a good player, it’s that these aces they’ve collected all expect to pitch regularly. Glasnow, Snell, Yamamoto, Ohtani, Sasaki, Sheehan and other youngsters… But, I would think Skubal would be their target with their never ending pipeline of prospects.
As for Framber Valdez, I invite anyone that wants him and has a subscription to The Athletic, to read Chandler Rome’s article on September 3, 2025. It is very informative of Valdez’ character, his relationship with his catcher, and how he acts towards teammates. Spoiler Alert: there are several reasons the Astros have NO INTEREST in resigning him, and I wouldn’t either.
If contact with low strikeouts is a focus, what about Luis Arreaz? Not only is he one of the leaders in both stats, he has actually played some first base. He also meets Stearn's apparent requirement that any new hire have played second base as well.
I think Peralta goes to LA. It is a spite move mind you but wouldn’t the owner of the Brewers like to screw over Stearns for him leaving? The Mets are waiting to see what happens with Skubal. What happens after that is anyone’s guess. I’d go nuts if the Mets also landed Bellinger.
I don't see any reason to think the Mets would be at a substantial advantage compared to other teams when Peralta and Skubal hit the market a year from now. Since it's at least an even chance that they'd be one year rentals, how can you blow, say, 2-3 top tier prospects on that return? I would not, for example, send Sproat, Williams, Santucci, and Ross for one season of those guys (I've read that Detroit has lots of their own quality position prospects). And I definitely wouldn't include Tong and Baty in a deal. #2: I'm not so sure--as the column implies--that the Mets can be given credit for a lineup-building strategy based on lower strikeout rates ("contactability"--novel!). It's more likely they just got the best bat they could sign and worry about defense later. #3: Bader, Robert, Nootbaar: no, no, and no. If they can't sign Bellinger, I'd rather give the playing time to Benge or Williams or Acuna.
If I'm Stearns, I'm sitting tight on the prospects unless I get a Deal of the Century. We don't look like a potential championship club in need of just one more piece. A fruitless expenditure of prospect capital for a one-year rental makes no sense.
A trade-and-sign would work, but if you're Skubal or Peralta, why agree to a contract now? The only reason to do it would be the expectation of a tougher market under the new CBA. Which it might be. But there's no way to know that right now.
(Peralta might figure it a little differently and be glad to lock in for something like a 5 year/$175mm AAV contract, maybe with a couple tail end options.)
Spring training infield drills are going to be very interesting.
Semien, Baty and Jett Williams were working out together in Texas last week. So, they're getting ahead of it a little.
But it still seems like one heck of a traffic jam. Bichette playing left instead of third solves every problem, but I'm not sure if he can play out there. Then again, he's never played third either. Polanco has never played first except for a third of an inning.
One interesting twist: Baty has 29 games in left under his belt in the minors. If he goes out there, it solves the lineup problem, although it makes one wonder about the whole run prevention thing.
The point's been made that conversions from short to third can work out fine. Except that since Bichette's been below-average at short, it would seem mighty optimistic to think he'll provide the defense that Baty has.
I think the team went into the off season planning a long game but that wasn’t working out and when they missed out on a short term Tucker realized they had to field a team that put some bodies in the seats and at the concession stands in 2026, aka the short term. Ergo, Bo Bichette and possibly Cody Bellinger. What’s happening with the pitching staff, or rather what’s not happening with the staff, is a mystery, I assume, to most of the fan base. Go Mets.
Aside to David Stearns … I will not be ready to pitch by opening day.
As far as the Dodgers’ interest in Peralta, I don’t think that’s sincere. The Dodgers have starters galore and it’s not that they can’t get a good player, it’s that these aces they’ve collected all expect to pitch regularly. Glasnow, Snell, Yamamoto, Ohtani, Sasaki, Sheehan and other youngsters… But, I would think Skubal would be their target with their never ending pipeline of prospects.
As for Framber Valdez, I invite anyone that wants him and has a subscription to The Athletic, to read Chandler Rome’s article on September 3, 2025. It is very informative of Valdez’ character, his relationship with his catcher, and how he acts towards teammates. Spoiler Alert: there are several reasons the Astros have NO INTEREST in resigning him, and I wouldn’t either.
If contact with low strikeouts is a focus, what about Luis Arreaz? Not only is he one of the leaders in both stats, he has actually played some first base. He also meets Stearn's apparent requirement that any new hire have played second base as well.
No more infielders!
I think Peralta goes to LA. It is a spite move mind you but wouldn’t the owner of the Brewers like to screw over Stearns for him leaving? The Mets are waiting to see what happens with Skubal. What happens after that is anyone’s guess. I’d go nuts if the Mets also landed Bellinger.
I'm not aware that there was bad blood when Stearns left Milwaukee. And, yes, Bellinger certainly would fix the crater in the outfield.