This newsletter seems to forget the constant questioning of motives as the team started their downward trajectory last year. I have seen it mentioned a few times now, oh the team didn’t play well last year but we never had to question their drive. You must have poor memory.
It also just bothers me every time I hear someone say Brandon Nimmo would have had his number retired if he had stayed… I don’t buy it. Maybe Mets HOF but number retirement? Get out of here.
I am not advocating for Nimmo, I get the rationale for moving a corner outfielder, given what they assessed as their system. But they easily could have thought about moving him to DH and part time OFer if they were clearly dead set on getting rid of Alonso. Nimmo was already in the top 10 for bWAR for position players having passed Mike Piazza, and would have likely been just behind Edgardo Alfonzo by years end with an average year. Had he stayed and if just 2 more years he had his avg #s from 2022-2025 when he played over 151 games each year, he would have moved into top 3 in games played; top 5 in ABs; top 3 in PAs; top 3 in runs scored; top 4 in hits; top 3 in Total Bases; top 3 in doubles; top 6 in HRs; top 7 in RBI; top 2 in Walks. That is just 2 years. Injury and decline could always derail that, but if he had 3 to 3.5 of his remining 5 years productive he would be in the top of third of almost every offensive Mets category. Yes, he would have likely been on the way to his # retired.
Why are we still talking about Alonso, Nimmo and McNeil? I am so tired of reading about how great they were and never should have traded them. How easily we forget all the booing they got when they stuck out in key moments or had prolonged slumps.
David Sterns makes terrible roster decisions. This team has no power, no team speed, average at best defense. I have never seen a team hit as many weak ground balls and take so many strikes and then chase out of the strike zone. Therefore don't walk enough. Maybe David Sterns makes terrible coaching hires also. All I know is that the Mets are TERRIBLE and UNWATCHABLE! I am EMBARRASSED to wear my Mets gear here in Georgia. The Braves made a few key signings over the off season that are working out great. They are back on top without over paying any players. And yes, Dominic Smith plays for them. Plays a great first base...has a higher batting average and more RBIs than any Met. And plays a great first base and a decent left field. Oh by the way, the White Sox signed a free agent first baseman who leads the majors in Homer's. That was only a 3 year deal. David Sterns has been a terrible GM for the Mets!
Yes! The slow collapse of ‘25 was almost totally due to Stearns poor decisions regarding the pitching staff. Thinking Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes would be an upgrade over Severino & Quintana. ha! Completely ignoring the weak bullpen until the team was desperate and then trading away 7 prospects for 3 relievers all with expiring contracts. ugh. and his poor decisions have just snowballed from there. This is not how he worked in Milwaukee. and btw, the job he did there has been totally overrated. Just look at their playoff record while he was with the Brewers. So, not only is this team no fun to watch but hanging over our heads is the fact that this team will certainly be sellers in a few months - and since I can’t think of a single move Stearns has made that’s been a clear win-win, I don’t trust him to do anything.
Getting myers was a great pickup. peralta pretty good. Also, no one could have predicted that helsley would implode. The Cedric Mullins deal however, was a bad idea from the get go.
Alonso wanted too much money. Fine. They needed to get a good 1B replacement.
Getting rid of Nimmo, a guy fans rightly liked and who was part of the team's core brand, was dubious. Nimmo-Benge-Soto with Taylor and another guy would have done it. The team isn't losing because Nimmo isn't there, but it likely adds to the dysfunction.
I would say the same about Squirrel, though he's somewhat more disposable if you are going to replace him with someone good. Or a prospect.
Getting a big bat for Alonso, I understand it, but they probably overpaid him & he's not performing. You also hurt the defense overall, though injuries (one fairly predictable since the guy is regularly hurt) made things worse.
You also get rid of all the coaches (including two very good ones) and keep the manager. The whole thing is a mess that probably takes time for the team to click. Meanwhile, you keep the suspect starting pitching staff minus one rental ace who doesn't go long.
Finally, people keep on talking about the need for changes, and they are not doing ANYTHING. They hope this will be 2024 all over again, maybe. Maybe if everything goes right, they will somehow get in. Sounds familiar.
The only thing different between the Mets and the Red Sox is that the Mets haven’t fired their coaching staff to distract from front office incompetence and absent ownership. But the Mets might just be more patient in that regard.
I can't put this on Cohen, he has been willing to light his money on fire for this wretched franchise. He did not become a multi-billionaire by being rash and impulsive. As much as I have disagreed with Stearns half measures and nibbling around the corners, I don't think he and Cohen are just winging it. My guess is that there is both a short term and long term plan, and while the short is clearly in disarray neither is ready to blow up the long term yet.
Allowing Diaz to flee to LA was a catastrophic error by Stearns, although Diaz most likely wanted to leave anyway....could he see the writing on the wall???
I think the problem isn't the players who left, but the ones who arrived and those who stayed, who aren't performing as they should. Let's forget the past, please.
"Right now, what do the Mets have going for them to keep fans that aren’t diabolical masochists like us engaged?" This masochist is starting to check out. They are unwatchable.
Nimmo, McNeil, and Alonso cared and played hard. Now the outfield is not as strong and the Mets have a second baseman past his prime. All of the first basemen are playing out of position and, by the way, so is the third baseman. If run prevention and improving defense is a priority, why is half the infield playing new positions. After this series with the Rockies, there are no signs of improvement.
you only get to fire "your guy" once before everything falls on you, in the case of the Red Sox, Cora was not Breslow's guy, he inherited him, ironically from Dave Dombrowski (with a one year suspension in between, Cora had lasted through 3 front offices). Dombrowski got to fire his 1 guy in Thompson, who insanely had never had a losing record, managed them to a world series, a league championship series and then two consecutive division titles. I doubt Dombrowski gets to hire another manager after this.
Which is why Stearns has to be more cautious. His first and correct assessment on being hired was Buck Showalter was not going to be able to work with him. He could have waited that out a year or two, but he chose to move in a new piece. Plus if he is being even remotely intellectually honest, he and his guys crafted this roster, not Mendoza. Basically when all is said and done, until you begin compiling championships and twenty plus year streaks of being in the playoffs, you don't get to hit the fire button more than 1 time with your hand picked guy. So Stearns is being careful not to start his time clock in April of 2026, he would definitely be out after this season if a firing did not change the tide. Whereas he buys himself at least year 4 of his 5 year deal by being less hasty.
Should. Anyway, if he's all protected and all, even if the team sucks, firing Carlos Mendoza, not firing, why would it matter? If he's not going anywhere because the team is good, well, that's good, I guess.
I am just saying, it is self evident that Cohen has decided to ride with Stearns and Mendoza. Stearns clearly felt Mendoza was right for the job when they all had their pow-wow after 2025. And if Stearns pulled a plug now he would be admitting to Cohen that he was wrong and it was a risk to keep him, it is not going to happen. New York fans can't contemplate this because talking heads and impatient fans think that they make the decisions. I am not saying any of this as a defense of Stearns (who I find his decisions to have been risky at best, bizarre at times) or Mendoza. It is just simple math if you are looking at it objectively. Cohen believes in Stearns long term vision and plan, he is going to let this play out.
I look forward most to McLean's starts, but also to Holmes's. And there's also Soto and even Benge batting. Other than that, I agree: Boringly Lifeless!
I can justify letting Alonso leave, but what about signing Murakami or even trading for Walker?
Alonso wanted out. He wanted out in 2024 and pretty much said so after the loss to the Reds last year. For whatever reason, which doesn't really matter now, he had his mind on leaving. Just like Diaz. I never had an issue with Sterns letting him go, but he royally failed by not getting a viable replacement.
This newsletter seems to forget the constant questioning of motives as the team started their downward trajectory last year. I have seen it mentioned a few times now, oh the team didn’t play well last year but we never had to question their drive. You must have poor memory.
It also just bothers me every time I hear someone say Brandon Nimmo would have had his number retired if he had stayed… I don’t buy it. Maybe Mets HOF but number retirement? Get out of here.
I am not advocating for Nimmo, I get the rationale for moving a corner outfielder, given what they assessed as their system. But they easily could have thought about moving him to DH and part time OFer if they were clearly dead set on getting rid of Alonso. Nimmo was already in the top 10 for bWAR for position players having passed Mike Piazza, and would have likely been just behind Edgardo Alfonzo by years end with an average year. Had he stayed and if just 2 more years he had his avg #s from 2022-2025 when he played over 151 games each year, he would have moved into top 3 in games played; top 5 in ABs; top 3 in PAs; top 3 in runs scored; top 4 in hits; top 3 in Total Bases; top 3 in doubles; top 6 in HRs; top 7 in RBI; top 2 in Walks. That is just 2 years. Injury and decline could always derail that, but if he had 3 to 3.5 of his remining 5 years productive he would be in the top of third of almost every offensive Mets category. Yes, he would have likely been on the way to his # retired.
Why are we still talking about Alonso, Nimmo and McNeil? I am so tired of reading about how great they were and never should have traded them. How easily we forget all the booing they got when they stuck out in key moments or had prolonged slumps.
David Sterns makes terrible roster decisions. This team has no power, no team speed, average at best defense. I have never seen a team hit as many weak ground balls and take so many strikes and then chase out of the strike zone. Therefore don't walk enough. Maybe David Sterns makes terrible coaching hires also. All I know is that the Mets are TERRIBLE and UNWATCHABLE! I am EMBARRASSED to wear my Mets gear here in Georgia. The Braves made a few key signings over the off season that are working out great. They are back on top without over paying any players. And yes, Dominic Smith plays for them. Plays a great first base...has a higher batting average and more RBIs than any Met. And plays a great first base and a decent left field. Oh by the way, the White Sox signed a free agent first baseman who leads the majors in Homer's. That was only a 3 year deal. David Sterns has been a terrible GM for the Mets!
Good for Dom Smith but the Mets are only one of a few teams that felt he wasn't worth keeping.
Yes! The slow collapse of ‘25 was almost totally due to Stearns poor decisions regarding the pitching staff. Thinking Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes would be an upgrade over Severino & Quintana. ha! Completely ignoring the weak bullpen until the team was desperate and then trading away 7 prospects for 3 relievers all with expiring contracts. ugh. and his poor decisions have just snowballed from there. This is not how he worked in Milwaukee. and btw, the job he did there has been totally overrated. Just look at their playoff record while he was with the Brewers. So, not only is this team no fun to watch but hanging over our heads is the fact that this team will certainly be sellers in a few months - and since I can’t think of a single move Stearns has made that’s been a clear win-win, I don’t trust him to do anything.
Getting myers was a great pickup. peralta pretty good. Also, no one could have predicted that helsley would implode. The Cedric Mullins deal however, was a bad idea from the get go.
If Peralta walks after this year it’ll end up being an awful move.
Awful? How do you figure that? Sproat doing better recently but not setting any records. Jett Williams batting .223 in AAA.
Alonso wanted too much money. Fine. They needed to get a good 1B replacement.
Getting rid of Nimmo, a guy fans rightly liked and who was part of the team's core brand, was dubious. Nimmo-Benge-Soto with Taylor and another guy would have done it. The team isn't losing because Nimmo isn't there, but it likely adds to the dysfunction.
I would say the same about Squirrel, though he's somewhat more disposable if you are going to replace him with someone good. Or a prospect.
Getting a big bat for Alonso, I understand it, but they probably overpaid him & he's not performing. You also hurt the defense overall, though injuries (one fairly predictable since the guy is regularly hurt) made things worse.
You also get rid of all the coaches (including two very good ones) and keep the manager. The whole thing is a mess that probably takes time for the team to click. Meanwhile, you keep the suspect starting pitching staff minus one rental ace who doesn't go long.
Finally, people keep on talking about the need for changes, and they are not doing ANYTHING. They hope this will be 2024 all over again, maybe. Maybe if everything goes right, they will somehow get in. Sounds familiar.
The only thing different between the Mets and the Red Sox is that the Mets haven’t fired their coaching staff to distract from front office incompetence and absent ownership. But the Mets might just be more patient in that regard.
I don't see any fault on the part of Cohen. He's been willing to spend the money. Lots and lots of people thought Stearns was the cat's meow.
I can't put this on Cohen, he has been willing to light his money on fire for this wretched franchise. He did not become a multi-billionaire by being rash and impulsive. As much as I have disagreed with Stearns half measures and nibbling around the corners, I don't think he and Cohen are just winging it. My guess is that there is both a short term and long term plan, and while the short is clearly in disarray neither is ready to blow up the long term yet.
Completely inaccurate to say Nimmo is a borderline great player. And Aaron Heilman was basically a bust.
Allowing Diaz to flee to LA was a catastrophic error by Stearns, although Diaz most likely wanted to leave anyway....could he see the writing on the wall???
Diaz wanted to go and now he's hurt.
Don’t you just want to punch Stearns in the face. Just something about that guy that screams smug Ivy League aloofness. Hate him.
James, tell us how you really feel 😂..no political violence! 😅
No politics involved that’s for sure. If politics were to enter I’m an equal opportunity offender. I hate everybody when it comes to politicians.
Sterns is a smug POS
Over the top, Mr. Schwartz.
You guys need to lighten up.
I think the problem isn't the players who left, but the ones who arrived and those who stayed, who aren't performing as they should. Let's forget the past, please.
"Right now, what do the Mets have going for them to keep fans that aren’t diabolical masochists like us engaged?" This masochist is starting to check out. They are unwatchable.
Nimmo, McNeil, and Alonso cared and played hard. Now the outfield is not as strong and the Mets have a second baseman past his prime. All of the first basemen are playing out of position and, by the way, so is the third baseman. If run prevention and improving defense is a priority, why is half the infield playing new positions. After this series with the Rockies, there are no signs of improvement.
Phils acted. Will the Mets continue to do nothing but tweak?
you only get to fire "your guy" once before everything falls on you, in the case of the Red Sox, Cora was not Breslow's guy, he inherited him, ironically from Dave Dombrowski (with a one year suspension in between, Cora had lasted through 3 front offices). Dombrowski got to fire his 1 guy in Thompson, who insanely had never had a losing record, managed them to a world series, a league championship series and then two consecutive division titles. I doubt Dombrowski gets to hire another manager after this.
Which is why Stearns has to be more cautious. His first and correct assessment on being hired was Buck Showalter was not going to be able to work with him. He could have waited that out a year or two, but he chose to move in a new piece. Plus if he is being even remotely intellectually honest, he and his guys crafted this roster, not Mendoza. Basically when all is said and done, until you begin compiling championships and twenty plus year streaks of being in the playoffs, you don't get to hit the fire button more than 1 time with your hand picked guy. So Stearns is being careful not to start his time clock in April of 2026, he would definitely be out after this season if a firing did not change the tide. Whereas he buys himself at least year 4 of his 5 year deal by being less hasty.
If Mendoza is not fired and they don't improve, Stearns should be out anyway.
Stearns isn’t going anywhere.
Should. Anyway, if he's all protected and all, even if the team sucks, firing Carlos Mendoza, not firing, why would it matter? If he's not going anywhere because the team is good, well, that's good, I guess.
I am just saying, it is self evident that Cohen has decided to ride with Stearns and Mendoza. Stearns clearly felt Mendoza was right for the job when they all had their pow-wow after 2025. And if Stearns pulled a plug now he would be admitting to Cohen that he was wrong and it was a risk to keep him, it is not going to happen. New York fans can't contemplate this because talking heads and impatient fans think that they make the decisions. I am not saying any of this as a defense of Stearns (who I find his decisions to have been risky at best, bizarre at times) or Mendoza. It is just simple math if you are looking at it objectively. Cohen believes in Stearns long term vision and plan, he is going to let this play out.
I look forward most to McLean's starts, but also to Holmes's. And there's also Soto and even Benge batting. Other than that, I agree: Boringly Lifeless!
I can justify letting Alonso leave, but what about signing Murakami or even trading for Walker?
Alonso wanted out. He wanted out in 2024 and pretty much said so after the loss to the Reds last year. For whatever reason, which doesn't really matter now, he had his mind on leaving. Just like Diaz. I never had an issue with Sterns letting him go, but he royally failed by not getting a viable replacement.