I think you're spot on Michael. Regarding Alonso, I think that the Mets were very fair with their offer 2 years ago. Losing Pete this year, and with the injuries to both Lindor and Soto exposed the lack of power especially considering the lack of production from Semien and Polanco. Between those 2, the Mets are on the hook for $43 million for next season and $23 the following season for Semien. Perhaps a pay down or even an outright cut.
Jefferson Rojas has to play somewhere next year - At least they should move him to Syracuse for the rest of the season. He's clearly the guy for 2B, and 3B if Bichette opts out. I'm guessing that he'll be a 20hr, 70 rbi, .275 type guys in the majors.
They have to see what they have in both Morabito (as a 4th OF) and if Billy Amick can play at the Major League level.
Regarding the relievers, Nate Lavender is a find, but remember he's always had this level of talent but had been injured the past 2-3 years. Nunez, Duarte and Pintaro all show signs of value as does Tobias Myers (he was the guy that was originally traded by the Rays to Cleveland for Junior Caminero, when he as 18, in a 1 for 1 deal). Senga also should stay around.
I do think that they'll likely have to find space for a combination of Jefferson Rojas, Emilien Pitre and Mitch Voit (who reeks of potential stardom).
I disagree with you on a couple of points. First, I do think Bo Bichette is going to opt out. In his statement, he indicated he'd be willing to take less money to sign a long term deal. Reading between the lines, that screams to me he wants out of NY in the worst way. He's just not happy here. Even after yesterday's heroics, he didn't seem particularly excited. Even with 2 years and $84M left on his 3-year deal, he'd rather take less to play elsewhere.
That leads me to point number two, Brett Baty. He'll be back, if for no other reason than insurance against the uncertainty around Bichette. Baty's main issue has always been consistency. It was no coincidence that the best stretch in his career came when he was the everyday third baseman in the second half of last season. Add in his versatility in the field and that he's a left handed batter bodes well for him returning to Flushing.
Point number three, Marcus Semien. Yesterday's game was a microcosm of his season; late on his swings and two steps slow in the field. I commented on one of the Facebook Fan pages that it was the kind of day that might make him rethink if he wants to return next season. Of course, with 2 years/$52M left on his contract, most think it's a no-brainer that he'll be back. But, most professional athletes, especially those who were among the best in the game for a period of time, are very prideful and protective of their legacies. It's hard for them to accept they can no longer compete at that level. That's where Semien is at now. Oh, sure, he can come back and be a platoon or a bench player and collect his salary, but will he be able to accept that? I'm not so sure. After a game like yesterday, he may just wake up and say "I'm done".
Point four: The first base situation. Unless they sign Sato from Japan, I really don't see anyone on the free agent market that would be a significant improvement over a platoon of Jared Young and either Mark Vientos or even Billy Amick. Vientos is 50/50 to return. His biggest problem is his complete lack of humility. He really believes he's a lot better than he is, which makes him uncoachable. From everything I've read about Amick, he sounds like he's where Pete Alonso was at that point in his career; a three true outcome hitter with poor defense. And despite his production this season and probably next, it's way too early to say not bringing Alonso back was a mistake. I think by year 3 of the contract, Alonso will begin to decline and Stearns will be vindicated.
Fifth point, Tarik Skubal. I don't see it happening. It's just not how Stearns operates. I think a reunion with Clay Holmes is more likely, depending on his ask. Remember, he'll be going into his age 34 season.
Final point is one you didn't mention. Who will be the Mets Manager in 2027? Who will be on the Coaching Staff? I'm all in on Alex Cora. Beltran, who has never managed at any level, can be his Bench Coach and learn how it's done.
For me, I’m fine signing Skubal. We need a top of the rotation guy to compliment our young staff. I’d buy out Polanco and I don’t know what to do with Semien but he needs to be a bench player at most. I like Senga in the BP and I don’t think he has trade value anyway. I’m not paying big money for another closer. I want one of our prospects to win the 2nd base job. Bichette will be at 3rd. Find a RH platoon with Young at 1st.
While I read this article and the comments afterwards, I couldn't help but to chuckle at the luck Sterns has. From creating a God awful team, trading away beloved players and having a lost, directionless future to suddenly this "new" team giving fans something fun to watch and be optimistic for. Oddly enough a fair portion of next year's roster has been set for him. Sterns has nine baseball lives!! Oh and the Mets have agood chance of not ending the season in last place!! Baseball gods do have a sense of humor.
What could of been if not for the lousy unwatchable baseball in the season's pre all star break, if they won 6 or 7 of those games the Mets should have been in on the wild card chase. The big positive of the season if all stay healthy the outfield is set. Second bas, a consistent hitting power DH, a front line and #3 starter and I would think 2027 should be a good year.
Look I think there are a couple of related issues you are overlooking for next season.
First of all I would be surprised if not only there wasn’t a lockout, but there was one which meant that serious time would be missed next season. The owners aren’t aligned, but more of them seem to want a salary cap. And the players don’t want one. I don’t see a fast solution coming here.
Keeping that in mind, I don’t see a world without a cap. How will that impact the Mets? They will have a lowered ability to outspend other teams for talent. It probably will be a hard cap, but will the Mets be grqndfathered in? Remember if enough teams want this cap it doesn’t matter if the Mets dodgers or Yankees agree. They can’t veto it.
I think for Mets improvements we will need to look at the minors and not. Free agency in the immediate future
The team has remained entertaining after trading away its pen + Holmes.
Not bad. Fun even, including Senga as closer. Yes, that's short-term. But he's showing you something. Maybe some team would trade for him now.
Impressive relief. Yes, a closer would be nice. But the team probably needs less besides that than perhaps expected.
Polanco should just be gone after the season. Consider that a loss off the books.
Semien has been okay in the second half. That's not high praise for how much he costs, but so be it. He was part of a long-term plan. He is what he is. He provides marginal value as an IF. Don't see two more years, though.
They have more trading chips after the deadline to help sign who they need in the offseason. 1B is key. Letting Alonso go was forgivable, all things considered. BUT they needed a better replacement.
I can imagine how much the dream ace will be asking. I'm okay with a lesser top-line starter & and back-end safety arm. You have the making of a top three with maybe a fourth (Tong, etc.) already. For instance, if Holmes or someone like that would come, that would be fine with me.
Nice OF. Biochette can be a nice 3B. Yes, his early play helped this be a lost season. He was supposed to be a major replacement for Alonso offensively. He dropped the ball early on.
Alvarez is a pain. Baty is tempting. Vientos is more likely to be "good luck, dude."
2027 is promising. You know, if they play baseball. Knock on wood.
I'm with you, Michael. In mid-June after the Knicks won the NBA title and the Mets were putrid, I was ready to find a new summer hobby. I am glad I stayed with this team.
The crowd explosion after the Bichette homer. The reaction on the bench. It made me think anything is possible.
Absolutely right that letting Alonso go has "blown up in their faces"--it's the #1 reason this season has been a fiasco...and that Polanco is "unmentionable". Not sure why you say they're not committed to Ewing. He's played every day for months. We don't know yet if Duarte, Lavendar, and Thornton are for real but we'll find out, I guess. Btw, it wasn't long ago that we talked about the toll it took on a staff when starters couldn't make it to the 6th inning and we don't know when or if Scott will be able to do that (I know it's his first year back from surgery). Finally, Yan the clown is gone and other teams will have less to celebrate what with his gaudy 1.8 WHIP.
I think you're spot on Michael. Regarding Alonso, I think that the Mets were very fair with their offer 2 years ago. Losing Pete this year, and with the injuries to both Lindor and Soto exposed the lack of power especially considering the lack of production from Semien and Polanco. Between those 2, the Mets are on the hook for $43 million for next season and $23 the following season for Semien. Perhaps a pay down or even an outright cut.
Jefferson Rojas has to play somewhere next year - At least they should move him to Syracuse for the rest of the season. He's clearly the guy for 2B, and 3B if Bichette opts out. I'm guessing that he'll be a 20hr, 70 rbi, .275 type guys in the majors.
They have to see what they have in both Morabito (as a 4th OF) and if Billy Amick can play at the Major League level.
Regarding the relievers, Nate Lavender is a find, but remember he's always had this level of talent but had been injured the past 2-3 years. Nunez, Duarte and Pintaro all show signs of value as does Tobias Myers (he was the guy that was originally traded by the Rays to Cleveland for Junior Caminero, when he as 18, in a 1 for 1 deal). Senga also should stay around.
I do think that they'll likely have to find space for a combination of Jefferson Rojas, Emilien Pitre and Mitch Voit (who reeks of potential stardom).
Now, let's go and get Skubal.
I disagree with you on a couple of points. First, I do think Bo Bichette is going to opt out. In his statement, he indicated he'd be willing to take less money to sign a long term deal. Reading between the lines, that screams to me he wants out of NY in the worst way. He's just not happy here. Even after yesterday's heroics, he didn't seem particularly excited. Even with 2 years and $84M left on his 3-year deal, he'd rather take less to play elsewhere.
That leads me to point number two, Brett Baty. He'll be back, if for no other reason than insurance against the uncertainty around Bichette. Baty's main issue has always been consistency. It was no coincidence that the best stretch in his career came when he was the everyday third baseman in the second half of last season. Add in his versatility in the field and that he's a left handed batter bodes well for him returning to Flushing.
Point number three, Marcus Semien. Yesterday's game was a microcosm of his season; late on his swings and two steps slow in the field. I commented on one of the Facebook Fan pages that it was the kind of day that might make him rethink if he wants to return next season. Of course, with 2 years/$52M left on his contract, most think it's a no-brainer that he'll be back. But, most professional athletes, especially those who were among the best in the game for a period of time, are very prideful and protective of their legacies. It's hard for them to accept they can no longer compete at that level. That's where Semien is at now. Oh, sure, he can come back and be a platoon or a bench player and collect his salary, but will he be able to accept that? I'm not so sure. After a game like yesterday, he may just wake up and say "I'm done".
Point four: The first base situation. Unless they sign Sato from Japan, I really don't see anyone on the free agent market that would be a significant improvement over a platoon of Jared Young and either Mark Vientos or even Billy Amick. Vientos is 50/50 to return. His biggest problem is his complete lack of humility. He really believes he's a lot better than he is, which makes him uncoachable. From everything I've read about Amick, he sounds like he's where Pete Alonso was at that point in his career; a three true outcome hitter with poor defense. And despite his production this season and probably next, it's way too early to say not bringing Alonso back was a mistake. I think by year 3 of the contract, Alonso will begin to decline and Stearns will be vindicated.
Fifth point, Tarik Skubal. I don't see it happening. It's just not how Stearns operates. I think a reunion with Clay Holmes is more likely, depending on his ask. Remember, he'll be going into his age 34 season.
Final point is one you didn't mention. Who will be the Mets Manager in 2027? Who will be on the Coaching Staff? I'm all in on Alex Cora. Beltran, who has never managed at any level, can be his Bench Coach and learn how it's done.
Thoughts?
The thought of going into next season with Baty as the everyday 3B makes me weep
I've been a Baty fan but he's had a long spell to show he belongs and he doesn't hit enough.
Whoa! Stearns will be vindicated that he let Alonso walk? Why do you think 2026 was a stinking mess? No Alonso, that's why.
Whoa. Point 3: if you think semien's pride is going to make him retire gracefully, I say "Larry, put that bottle down"!
For me, I’m fine signing Skubal. We need a top of the rotation guy to compliment our young staff. I’d buy out Polanco and I don’t know what to do with Semien but he needs to be a bench player at most. I like Senga in the BP and I don’t think he has trade value anyway. I’m not paying big money for another closer. I want one of our prospects to win the 2nd base job. Bichette will be at 3rd. Find a RH platoon with Young at 1st.
While I read this article and the comments afterwards, I couldn't help but to chuckle at the luck Sterns has. From creating a God awful team, trading away beloved players and having a lost, directionless future to suddenly this "new" team giving fans something fun to watch and be optimistic for. Oddly enough a fair portion of next year's roster has been set for him. Sterns has nine baseball lives!! Oh and the Mets have agood chance of not ending the season in last place!! Baseball gods do have a sense of humor.
They are HILARIOUS, ain't they?
Glad that young players are showing promise. It's a very expensive bad team because of bad decisions by Stearns.
What could of been if not for the lousy unwatchable baseball in the season's pre all star break, if they won 6 or 7 of those games the Mets should have been in on the wild card chase. The big positive of the season if all stay healthy the outfield is set. Second bas, a consistent hitting power DH, a front line and #3 starter and I would think 2027 should be a good year.
You're mighty optimistic.
Look I think there are a couple of related issues you are overlooking for next season.
First of all I would be surprised if not only there wasn’t a lockout, but there was one which meant that serious time would be missed next season. The owners aren’t aligned, but more of them seem to want a salary cap. And the players don’t want one. I don’t see a fast solution coming here.
Keeping that in mind, I don’t see a world without a cap. How will that impact the Mets? They will have a lowered ability to outspend other teams for talent. It probably will be a hard cap, but will the Mets be grqndfathered in? Remember if enough teams want this cap it doesn’t matter if the Mets dodgers or Yankees agree. They can’t veto it.
I think for Mets improvements we will need to look at the minors and not. Free agency in the immediate future
The team has remained entertaining after trading away its pen + Holmes.
Not bad. Fun even, including Senga as closer. Yes, that's short-term. But he's showing you something. Maybe some team would trade for him now.
Impressive relief. Yes, a closer would be nice. But the team probably needs less besides that than perhaps expected.
Polanco should just be gone after the season. Consider that a loss off the books.
Semien has been okay in the second half. That's not high praise for how much he costs, but so be it. He was part of a long-term plan. He is what he is. He provides marginal value as an IF. Don't see two more years, though.
They have more trading chips after the deadline to help sign who they need in the offseason. 1B is key. Letting Alonso go was forgivable, all things considered. BUT they needed a better replacement.
I can imagine how much the dream ace will be asking. I'm okay with a lesser top-line starter & and back-end safety arm. You have the making of a top three with maybe a fourth (Tong, etc.) already. For instance, if Holmes or someone like that would come, that would be fine with me.
Nice OF. Biochette can be a nice 3B. Yes, his early play helped this be a lost season. He was supposed to be a major replacement for Alonso offensively. He dropped the ball early on.
Alvarez is a pain. Baty is tempting. Vientos is more likely to be "good luck, dude."
2027 is promising. You know, if they play baseball. Knock on wood.
I'm with you, Michael. In mid-June after the Knicks won the NBA title and the Mets were putrid, I was ready to find a new summer hobby. I am glad I stayed with this team.
The crowd explosion after the Bichette homer. The reaction on the bench. It made me think anything is possible.
Absolutely right that letting Alonso go has "blown up in their faces"--it's the #1 reason this season has been a fiasco...and that Polanco is "unmentionable". Not sure why you say they're not committed to Ewing. He's played every day for months. We don't know yet if Duarte, Lavendar, and Thornton are for real but we'll find out, I guess. Btw, it wasn't long ago that we talked about the toll it took on a staff when starters couldn't make it to the 6th inning and we don't know when or if Scott will be able to do that (I know it's his first year back from surgery). Finally, Yan the clown is gone and other teams will have less to celebrate what with his gaudy 1.8 WHIP.
How committed they are to Ewing may be how well Morabito and his RH bat does the rest of the season.
If Morabito can hit and Soto doesn't sulk if moved to DH, that would be glorious!