Marte is a no go for me. No matter what happens with Bader. His legs are done. He can’t play the field anymore. He is an all or nothing hitter anymore who offers no doubles because he cannot generate anything from his lower half. He swings like he’s a statue. If he comes back it’s clearly to appease Soto as they were best buddies. It would be a mistake and one they regret giving a seat on the bench to. We are trying to make the team better here.
That’s all totally fair; I should’ve added a clarifier in there that you’re obviously not covering any extra defensive ground there and that his presence would be more that of a lineup stabilizer until the young bucks come up. What I mostly appreciate about Marte’s offensive game is the balance he provides, even if it’s gotten to be a bit boom or bust; I also value his RISP consistency. I don’t think he’s a total waste of a roster spot, but the team getting better remains The Point of the offseason, no matter what
Exactly, this team didn’t make the playoffs this year and while maybe the pitching should take most of the heat they had 3 7 games or more losing streaks. Running it back with almost the same players is the same thing. The line up will be top heavy again. I do expect more from Alvy (considering he stays healthy) and a full year of Baty at third ( if he isn’t traded). They must get a bat in CF. I don’t care if the guy hits .250. It can’t be just a black hole at almost .200. Bader to me is the guy. A two year front loaded opt out should get that done as he opted out from Philly. He is the best available and him and TT is 11 OAA plus he hit and has hit better every year for his career. So maybe he’s figuring things out being in the league for while. Still have issues with lefties but TT is supposed to hit them better than he did this past year.
We are on exactly the same page, and I’ll also cop to feeling a particular type of loyalty towards Marte that is honestly the same kind of loyalty that’s gotten this franchise into trouble, so I’m fully my own worst enemy on that point. I will never back down off the Bader point though, he is absolutely the best option right now and frankly barring a move that reshapes the outfield landscape for years to come, I’m treating CF as Bader or Bust this winter
We just don’t agree, and that’s ok. Looking at the data I see overall positive trends in plate approach followed by commensurate improvements in performance over the last three seasons alone, and while he likely over-performed in some areas this season, I think the core improvements he’s made are sustainable and indicative of a larger trend; any regression would still fall back to, I believe, an elevated mean. Not anti Big Move, just think Bader makes more sense considering current org structure.
If you’d asked me a year ago I’d have been all over it, but there’s some trends this year with him that concern me. His velo and K rate were way down, and he had some difficulty locating his pitches this season; it also seemed like hitters were just seeing his stuff better in his second year. I think a decent amount of his issues can be traced back to his hamstring injury, but still I’m less into the idea of a Shota signing than I used to be :/
I do think there’s a world where Skubal comes to Queens – we certainly have the trade capital to make it happen. My biggest thing there is that I’d only want to sacrifice significant prospects to make that deal if we knew for sure we were going to extend him, which isn’t the Boras way (but, as I said, money talks.) Even with the uncertainty of 2027, there *will* be baseball in the future that these proposed long-term signings will be part of, and I don’t want to play purely for 2026 when literally nothing’s promised no matter what you do. Play for today, but do it intelligently.
Tough year for Sterns to be bold and daring with a very likely lockout/strike looming. Just like everyone else, I would love to see big name signings but what do we do with the kids in the minor? When do they get their chance? I have no problem with a Bade One Year contract while upgrading another position, say 2b with Bichette and pitching. Vientos will rebound at dh and Baty at 3b.
Some would say if you want to give the kids a chance, you ought to give Acuna a long spell as an everyday player and see what he can do instead of signing Bichette. Plus the money can be used for higher priorities like starting pitching and imo center field. Hope you're right about Vientos but there've been a lot of players who had one good year and couldn't do it again. Baty had a great last couple of months which I hope he can duplicate next year.
You say you want Stearns to be bold and you dismiss going after Bellinger. I don't get it. Bader will probably regress to the good field no hit player that he's been most of his career. We already have one of those. We don't know when or if Benge or Ewing can get it done. The center field situation can't wait another year. Also, I'm surprised you suggest resigning Marte who is as one-dimensional as it gets.
It’s just as simple as me not seeing Bellinger as realistic in a world where we also want them to retain Diaz *and* keep Pete *and* add a top of rotation ace. As deep as Cohen’s pockets are, at a certain point they have a limit, and I feel the other areas of need are more significant since the outfield has some forecastable talent not far out from the bigs. I said be bold, but that’s in reference to *both* spending the big bucks as well as spending maybe a bit more on other FAs to round things out than they may have previously; I also said these aren’t factoring in potential trade scenarios, which is where I *do* see a Bellinger deal becoming feasible, because there’s zero reason to sign Bellinger and then also stash both Benge and Ewing; you’d be creating an unnecessary logjam at another position unless a DH move for Nimmo/Soto is imminent.
I think of signing of Alonso and Diaz as obligatory, not something to be filed under the "bold" category of moves. They'll have to be "bold" in getting a starter, either with a mega contract or parting with Sproat and some primo position prospects (I'd think three times before trading Tong). Fixing center field is bold move #2. It would be nice if the center field market was richer but it's not. Hoping to win in '26 with an offensive hole in center may not fly. I have no confidence that Bader will help. Benge and Ewing aren't ready yet and I think we need to strike while the iron is hot. Regarding Uncle Steve's pocket, he'll be 70 soon and his net worth is now reported at 21B...had been about 15B when he bought the team. I'd remind Uncle Steve that "You can't take it with you". Go for it!
That’s all very fair! And that’s why I love these offseason debates. I’m using ‘bold’ mostly in the sense of Stearns breaking from his non-spending habits, but I agree with the sentiment that they’re obvious and obligatory moves; won’t fight you there, at all. I’m also looking at it from the Stearns angle of him clearly wanting the next class to get their shot, so I mostly see them holding firm to that; that said, if we’re saying (almost) everyone’s expendable, and we think we can both add Belli long term and trade Benge/Tong/pieces for a Skubal (with the presumption of extension), then my tune changes. End of the day, we’re all trying to solve the same math problem using slightly different equations, which, again, I love! Healthy offseason debate can be really fun.
That’s all very fair! And that’s why I love these offseason debates. I’m using ‘bold’ mostly in the sense of Stearns breaking from his non-spending habits, but I agree with the sentiment that they’re obvious and obligatory moves; won’t fight you there, at all. I’m also looking at it from the Stearns angle of him clearly wanting the next class to get their shot, so I mostly see them holding firm to that; that said, if we’re saying (almost) everyone’s expendable, and we think we can both add Belli long term and trade Benge/Tong/pieces for a Skubal (with the presumption of extension), then my tune changes. End of the day, we’re all trying to solve the same math problem using slightly different equations, which, again, I love! Healthy offseason debate can be really fun.
Marte is a no go for me. No matter what happens with Bader. His legs are done. He can’t play the field anymore. He is an all or nothing hitter anymore who offers no doubles because he cannot generate anything from his lower half. He swings like he’s a statue. If he comes back it’s clearly to appease Soto as they were best buddies. It would be a mistake and one they regret giving a seat on the bench to. We are trying to make the team better here.
That’s all totally fair; I should’ve added a clarifier in there that you’re obviously not covering any extra defensive ground there and that his presence would be more that of a lineup stabilizer until the young bucks come up. What I mostly appreciate about Marte’s offensive game is the balance he provides, even if it’s gotten to be a bit boom or bust; I also value his RISP consistency. I don’t think he’s a total waste of a roster spot, but the team getting better remains The Point of the offseason, no matter what
Exactly, this team didn’t make the playoffs this year and while maybe the pitching should take most of the heat they had 3 7 games or more losing streaks. Running it back with almost the same players is the same thing. The line up will be top heavy again. I do expect more from Alvy (considering he stays healthy) and a full year of Baty at third ( if he isn’t traded). They must get a bat in CF. I don’t care if the guy hits .250. It can’t be just a black hole at almost .200. Bader to me is the guy. A two year front loaded opt out should get that done as he opted out from Philly. He is the best available and him and TT is 11 OAA plus he hit and has hit better every year for his career. So maybe he’s figuring things out being in the league for while. Still have issues with lefties but TT is supposed to hit them better than he did this past year.
We are on exactly the same page, and I’ll also cop to feeling a particular type of loyalty towards Marte that is honestly the same kind of loyalty that’s gotten this franchise into trouble, so I’m fully my own worst enemy on that point. I will never back down off the Bader point though, he is absolutely the best option right now and frankly barring a move that reshapes the outfield landscape for years to come, I’m treating CF as Bader or Bust this winter
After 2700 at bats in the majors his obp is .313. Last year was an anomaly.
We just don’t agree, and that’s ok. Looking at the data I see overall positive trends in plate approach followed by commensurate improvements in performance over the last three seasons alone, and while he likely over-performed in some areas this season, I think the core improvements he’s made are sustainable and indicative of a larger trend; any regression would still fall back to, I believe, an elevated mean. Not anti Big Move, just think Bader makes more sense considering current org structure.
Do the Mets take A shot with Shot...a?
One again, I'll show myself out.
If you’d asked me a year ago I’d have been all over it, but there’s some trends this year with him that concern me. His velo and K rate were way down, and he had some difficulty locating his pitches this season; it also seemed like hitters were just seeing his stuff better in his second year. I think a decent amount of his issues can be traced back to his hamstring injury, but still I’m less into the idea of a Shota signing than I used to be :/
100% agree!
I've always been a fan of Alcantara. I'd LOVE Tarik Skubal. One or the other.
Both?? I'd have a heart attack with the biggest grin on my face!
A fella can dream, can't he?
I do think there’s a world where Skubal comes to Queens – we certainly have the trade capital to make it happen. My biggest thing there is that I’d only want to sacrifice significant prospects to make that deal if we knew for sure we were going to extend him, which isn’t the Boras way (but, as I said, money talks.) Even with the uncertainty of 2027, there *will* be baseball in the future that these proposed long-term signings will be part of, and I don’t want to play purely for 2026 when literally nothing’s promised no matter what you do. Play for today, but do it intelligently.
Tough year for Sterns to be bold and daring with a very likely lockout/strike looming. Just like everyone else, I would love to see big name signings but what do we do with the kids in the minor? When do they get their chance? I have no problem with a Bade One Year contract while upgrading another position, say 2b with Bichette and pitching. Vientos will rebound at dh and Baty at 3b.
Some would say if you want to give the kids a chance, you ought to give Acuna a long spell as an everyday player and see what he can do instead of signing Bichette. Plus the money can be used for higher priorities like starting pitching and imo center field. Hope you're right about Vientos but there've been a lot of players who had one good year and couldn't do it again. Baty had a great last couple of months which I hope he can duplicate next year.
You say you want Stearns to be bold and you dismiss going after Bellinger. I don't get it. Bader will probably regress to the good field no hit player that he's been most of his career. We already have one of those. We don't know when or if Benge or Ewing can get it done. The center field situation can't wait another year. Also, I'm surprised you suggest resigning Marte who is as one-dimensional as it gets.
It’s just as simple as me not seeing Bellinger as realistic in a world where we also want them to retain Diaz *and* keep Pete *and* add a top of rotation ace. As deep as Cohen’s pockets are, at a certain point they have a limit, and I feel the other areas of need are more significant since the outfield has some forecastable talent not far out from the bigs. I said be bold, but that’s in reference to *both* spending the big bucks as well as spending maybe a bit more on other FAs to round things out than they may have previously; I also said these aren’t factoring in potential trade scenarios, which is where I *do* see a Bellinger deal becoming feasible, because there’s zero reason to sign Bellinger and then also stash both Benge and Ewing; you’d be creating an unnecessary logjam at another position unless a DH move for Nimmo/Soto is imminent.
I think of signing of Alonso and Diaz as obligatory, not something to be filed under the "bold" category of moves. They'll have to be "bold" in getting a starter, either with a mega contract or parting with Sproat and some primo position prospects (I'd think three times before trading Tong). Fixing center field is bold move #2. It would be nice if the center field market was richer but it's not. Hoping to win in '26 with an offensive hole in center may not fly. I have no confidence that Bader will help. Benge and Ewing aren't ready yet and I think we need to strike while the iron is hot. Regarding Uncle Steve's pocket, he'll be 70 soon and his net worth is now reported at 21B...had been about 15B when he bought the team. I'd remind Uncle Steve that "You can't take it with you". Go for it!
That’s all very fair! And that’s why I love these offseason debates. I’m using ‘bold’ mostly in the sense of Stearns breaking from his non-spending habits, but I agree with the sentiment that they’re obvious and obligatory moves; won’t fight you there, at all. I’m also looking at it from the Stearns angle of him clearly wanting the next class to get their shot, so I mostly see them holding firm to that; that said, if we’re saying (almost) everyone’s expendable, and we think we can both add Belli long term and trade Benge/Tong/pieces for a Skubal (with the presumption of extension), then my tune changes. End of the day, we’re all trying to solve the same math problem using slightly different equations, which, again, I love! Healthy offseason debate can be really fun.
That’s all very fair! And that’s why I love these offseason debates. I’m using ‘bold’ mostly in the sense of Stearns breaking from his non-spending habits, but I agree with the sentiment that they’re obvious and obligatory moves; won’t fight you there, at all. I’m also looking at it from the Stearns angle of him clearly wanting the next class to get their shot, so I mostly see them holding firm to that; that said, if we’re saying (almost) everyone’s expendable, and we think we can both add Belli long term and trade Benge/Tong/pieces for a Skubal (with the presumption of extension), then my tune changes. End of the day, we’re all trying to solve the same math problem using slightly different equations, which, again, I love! Healthy offseason debate can be really fun.