Qualifying offer palooza, no Gold for Lindor and the GM Meetings without a GM
The Mets extend qualifying offers to Michael Conforto and Noah Syndergaard. Plus, the club heads to the GM Meetings with no one officially in the role.
What’s Up with the Mets? 💭
The Mets extended qualifying offers to both Noah Syndergaard and Michael Conforto, who have 10 days to decide whether or not to accept
New York may be interested in free agents 3B/OF Kris Bryant and RHP Robbie Ray (NY Post)
Francisco Lindor did not win the Gold Glove at shortstop, losing to the Giants’ Brandon Crawford
The GM Meetings begin this week, and Sandy Alderson will once again be representing the Mets since they once again failed to build up the front office (Daily News)
With front office and CBA uncertainty, the Mets and Major League Baseball have a daunting offseason ahead of them (Newsday)
Heading to the GM Meetings without a GM 📝
The GM Meetings are due to get underway this week and for the Mets, they are right back where they started with Sandy Alderson at the helm. It has been a tumultuous year to say the least — both on and off the field, the Mets were an embarrassment and so far into this offseason not all that much has changed. Rumors abound as to why nobody wants to come join the Mets front office — there’s been talk of Steve Cohen’s tweeting and then the issue was reportedly working in between team president Sandy Alderson and his son Bryn. Whether there is truth to these rumors or not there is no denying two things: That these rumors exist nonetheless and that qualified candidates keep telling the organization ‘thanks, but no thanks.’
There is also no denying the optics that come with the team having had to fire their last two general managers over this past year, one for sexually harassing a female reporter and the other for being arrested on charges of a DUI when driving home from a party at the owner’s house.
And then there are the players. Jacob deGrom, the brightest star in an otherwise cloudy sky, was noticeably angry having to answer questions about his UCL after Alderson spilled the beans that there was an issue. There was also the report of Francisco Lindor grabbing Jeff McNeil by the throat after McNeil repeatedly ignored defensive assignments to the point where Luis Rojas benched him. But according to at-the-time GM Zack Scott, the clubhouse was great and they supposedly didn’t do more at the deadline because the clubhouse chemistry couldn’t be disturbed. The very same Scott, of course, who chastised the team about accountability but quietly disappeared into the shadows and didn’t hold himself personally accountable for endangering lives on the road while driving under the influence.
At the end of the year, the players took notice of the turmoil in the front office and so far this offseason it has only gotten worse with the spotlight growing larger with each rejection they are dealt. Have free agents taken notice? The man who oversaw all this tumult is still at the top of it all and has done very little to correct it. Is there a chance that a free agent would think about twice coming to an organization who is the physical embodiment of the dog “this is fine” meme?
This is a critical offseason for the team and whatever the Mets’ issues are there is no denying they have the cash to overcome any shortcomings, but the real question is will there be anyone there to buy what they are selling?
Hot Stove 🔥
14 players were issued the qualifying offer on Sunday including Carlos Correa, Justin Verlander, Nick Castellanos, Freddie Freeman, Trevor Story, Marcus Semien, Robbie Ray, Corey Seager, Chris Taylor and more (MLBTR)
Japanese superstar OF Seiya Suzuki will be available to MLB teams in the international posting process, making him a top free agent (MLB Network)
LHP Clayton Kershaw did NOT receive a qualifying offer from the Dodgers
The White Sox picked up their 2022 club option for RHP Craig Kimbrel
Red Sox DH J.D. Martinez did NOT exercise his opt-out with the club, remaining with Boston through 2022
The Reds surprisingly opted not to pick up LHP Wade Miley’s $10M club option for 2022 and placed him on waivers, where he was claimed by the division-rival Cubs
All-Star LHP Carlos Rodón did NOT receive a qualifying offer from the White Sox
The Giants declined their club option on RHP Johnny Cueto, making him a free agent
RHP Jon Gray did NOT receive a qualifying offer from the Rockies
Prospect Watch ⚾
This weekend’s stats in the Arizona Fall & Dominican Winter Leagues
Brett Baty (3B, No. 2 prospect): 1-for-5, 2B, RBI
Ronny Mauricio (SS, No. 3 prospect): 2-for-4, HR (2), 2B, RBI, R
Wilmer Reyes (2B, unranked): 1-for-3, BB, R