I’m done discussing it at this point. If Stearns has a plan and it gets this franchise a ring or more than it will all be known in the future. We fans are disgusted and disgruntled because 2 years ago this team was 2 wins away from the World Series and right now it sure looks like we are much further away than that. If Stearns is right he will get the praise he deserves. If not he will get run out of town and we again will be starting over and wondering what if….again.
I don’t think we’re talking about the impending lockout enough in relation to the Mets and how they’re handling this offseason. There will 100% be a lockout after next season and while I don’t believe there will ever be a salary cap, I do believe the only way the smaller market owners will agree to a new deal is to make it even more punitive for the higher spending teams. I can’t help but wonder if this is impacting the Mets this offseason. The Mets are a team with a great farm system and have a number of top prospects who should be ready this season. I’m wondering if Stearns is thinking he may want to rely more on the farm to fill some open spots on this team this year because if successful, it would provide cheap labor for many years at a number of positions. while also exciting the fan base as we all love home grown players. If I were Cohen, I may want to have a better idea of what the luxury tax penalties will be before handing out another huge contract.
Personally, I'm excited about the coming season. I want to give the young guys a chance. No, they won't all be good, but there are so many promising ones in the minors, all we have to do is hit on 1/3 of them. And, yes, we can get some shorter-term guys in there too. We should wait to sign Skubal as a free agent, forget Tatís & Bellinger (bad away stats for Belli), but sign King. I like the idea of trading for Contreras (until Clifford is ready), and signing and/or trading for some more relievers. And there are the two Japanese hitters and Imai who were posted. Lots of possibilities.
I see it the same way, for the most part. Leaving aside the possibility of a blockbuster deal for Tatis, we're building along the lines of the Milwaukee Model.
No big, risky long-term contracts (I wouldn't call the Soto deal very risky — we know exactly what we're getting for the next decade or so). Build a pipeline around the central superstar instead. Don't spend your prospect capital today for an aging relic tomorrow.
I do think we sign Michael King, though. And there may be one more surprise to answer the centerfield question. We need a stick out there, preferably right-handed if the Squirrel is manning left field, and someone who can go and get it.
Other than that, we're pretty close to knowing who we're going to war with in 2026.
It's easy to see Wililams soon replacing McNeil and then Semien; Benge in the outfield; Clifford replacing Polanco; and Smith, Sproat and/or Tong (and others) moving into the rotation eventually, replacing Manaea, Peterson, Holmes, King and/or Senga. Polanco's bat basically replaces Nimmo's, but yes we need to sign or trade for a bat to at least partially replace Alonso's. Suarez? Someone in a trade, like Wilyer Abreu?
The only guy who I think really makes sense and who is realistically gettable is Ketel Marte. He'd have to be willing to move back out to centerfield, of course. But he might not mind that too much.
Arizona needs pitching and prospects, so there should be a way to work it out. DP is an affordable piece for them. Senga is too, especially if we're willing to offset a few bucks (Marte's contract is not only affordable, but it's back loaded with deferred money, by the way).
The hitch is the prospects. But the good news is, the Diamondbacks aren't in all that great a position to come with a big ask. Marte goes 10 and 5 just 10 days into the next season, at which point he has full right of refusal.
So, if they're going to move him, at least where they want to send him for what they want to get, they're going to do it now.
The criterion is assets. If a person holds assets exceeding 10B, etiquette requires addressing them as "Mr.". This of course can change with inflation.
I dont know why everyone is so surprised that the Mets moved on from Pete and Diaz. It was obviously during the last off-season his signing was not something that the Mets prioritized. I wonder now that the Casino project is underway, if it is not Cohen's center of attention.
Signing Polanco? In a good year for him, supplied 78 rbis...compare the 125 we got from our first baseman last year. Seems like he hits some years, others not. In 2024, he hit like Tyrone Taylor. Is it better than nothing? Guess so. Looks to me like the best thing about the signing is that it's only two years. Unless some major changes are made between now and opening day, we're looking quite possibly at a below .500 team.
I’m done discussing it at this point. If Stearns has a plan and it gets this franchise a ring or more than it will all be known in the future. We fans are disgusted and disgruntled because 2 years ago this team was 2 wins away from the World Series and right now it sure looks like we are much further away than that. If Stearns is right he will get the praise he deserves. If not he will get run out of town and we again will be starting over and wondering what if….again.
I don’t think we’re talking about the impending lockout enough in relation to the Mets and how they’re handling this offseason. There will 100% be a lockout after next season and while I don’t believe there will ever be a salary cap, I do believe the only way the smaller market owners will agree to a new deal is to make it even more punitive for the higher spending teams. I can’t help but wonder if this is impacting the Mets this offseason. The Mets are a team with a great farm system and have a number of top prospects who should be ready this season. I’m wondering if Stearns is thinking he may want to rely more on the farm to fill some open spots on this team this year because if successful, it would provide cheap labor for many years at a number of positions. while also exciting the fan base as we all love home grown players. If I were Cohen, I may want to have a better idea of what the luxury tax penalties will be before handing out another huge contract.
Personally, I'm excited about the coming season. I want to give the young guys a chance. No, they won't all be good, but there are so many promising ones in the minors, all we have to do is hit on 1/3 of them. And, yes, we can get some shorter-term guys in there too. We should wait to sign Skubal as a free agent, forget Tatís & Bellinger (bad away stats for Belli), but sign King. I like the idea of trading for Contreras (until Clifford is ready), and signing and/or trading for some more relievers. And there are the two Japanese hitters and Imai who were posted. Lots of possibilities.
I see it the same way, for the most part. Leaving aside the possibility of a blockbuster deal for Tatis, we're building along the lines of the Milwaukee Model.
No big, risky long-term contracts (I wouldn't call the Soto deal very risky — we know exactly what we're getting for the next decade or so). Build a pipeline around the central superstar instead. Don't spend your prospect capital today for an aging relic tomorrow.
I do think we sign Michael King, though. And there may be one more surprise to answer the centerfield question. We need a stick out there, preferably right-handed if the Squirrel is manning left field, and someone who can go and get it.
Other than that, we're pretty close to knowing who we're going to war with in 2026.
It's easy to see Wililams soon replacing McNeil and then Semien; Benge in the outfield; Clifford replacing Polanco; and Smith, Sproat and/or Tong (and others) moving into the rotation eventually, replacing Manaea, Peterson, Holmes, King and/or Senga. Polanco's bat basically replaces Nimmo's, but yes we need to sign or trade for a bat to at least partially replace Alonso's. Suarez? Someone in a trade, like Wilyer Abreu?
The only guy who I think really makes sense and who is realistically gettable is Ketel Marte. He'd have to be willing to move back out to centerfield, of course. But he might not mind that too much.
Arizona needs pitching and prospects, so there should be a way to work it out. DP is an affordable piece for them. Senga is too, especially if we're willing to offset a few bucks (Marte's contract is not only affordable, but it's back loaded with deferred money, by the way).
The hitch is the prospects. But the good news is, the Diamondbacks aren't in all that great a position to come with a big ask. Marte goes 10 and 5 just 10 days into the next season, at which point he has full right of refusal.
So, if they're going to move him, at least where they want to send him for what they want to get, they're going to do it now.
I like the idea! Marte has played CF (in 2021) and has a powerful bat.
You are in a small minority, I'm afraid, in your excitement.
I like being a contrarian! Happy Holidays!
Why is it that it is “Diaz” or “Alonso” or “Stearns” but it is “Mr. Cohen”?
Does one get the “Mr.” based on their bank account size or some other criterion?
The criterion is assets. If a person holds assets exceeding 10B, etiquette requires addressing them as "Mr.". This of course can change with inflation.
LOL
I dont know why everyone is so surprised that the Mets moved on from Pete and Diaz. It was obviously during the last off-season his signing was not something that the Mets prioritized. I wonder now that the Casino project is underway, if it is not Cohen's center of attention.
Signing Polanco? In a good year for him, supplied 78 rbis...compare the 125 we got from our first baseman last year. Seems like he hits some years, others not. In 2024, he hit like Tyrone Taylor. Is it better than nothing? Guess so. Looks to me like the best thing about the signing is that it's only two years. Unless some major changes are made between now and opening day, we're looking quite possibly at a below .500 team.