NFT: Tuesday Mets Talk - Rajai Davis

Good read.

1. I mentioned right at the start of WM some crazy comments being made. Not so much Brodie, but the Mets. Up and down it’s “different”

2. But Brodie knows he has to sell Jeff before he can sell anyone else. Mentioned that when he was first hired. Hence his big splash at low $$ cost approach up front. Jeff is giddy like a four year old on Xmas right now. Brodie knows how to tickle his balls and make him feel important. He knows how to be “liked”

3. Brodie is a straight shooter. I wouldn’t necessarily agree with the idea here yes, shit is fed, but Brodie is an honest straight forward guy. Believes in respect. The opposite of a shady car salesman.

4. I don’t know anything, I just speculate. And I’d speculate they are hunting for a big fish, and really big one. I just don’t think you’d find one in Area 51 or the grassy Knoll lol

and the Mets name attached to it, I always get a good chuckle. I know that those type of deals are more common place in today's game, the Nats doing it with Scherzer as an example.

The Mets franchise will end up paying Bryce's great grandchildren every year...


Even if there is the slightest bit of truth to putting a package together for Bryce, I will hold out hope. What gives me pause is you have not heard any rumors out there about a Mets/Harper meeting. Shit, every second of Machado's free agency tour is documented.

Mets have not met with Bryce Harper and have no plans to. I checked in with 2 people who would know. One said "hey, shit happens. I wouldn't say there is a 0% chance Fred wakes up one day and says go for it but I'd put it at close to 0"

is that whole rumor/story should be true and it shouldn't even have to be a clandestine meeting, though I don't mind every single thing the Mets are thinking staying out of the headlines.

Arenado is a decent option too, but his road splits not so great, but he plays solid D. He is also two years older than Harper and Machado (when he hits FA) and a lot can happen over the course of a season making him no longer an option.

Fact is we have no idea if they have or they haven’t and unless the people you randomly checked with are in the Mets “c”. And if that were the case I highly doubt you would need to be on this site. Pinging writers or lower level folks isn’t the end all be all.

And how does anyone first respond to a post other than the one with the giant rumor this morning.

.

In comment 14227154 ZGiants98 said:

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3. DO NOT believe any rumor the media shares. They are seeded false misdirects almost daily from the front office. As you can see every move the team has made thus far has gone almost entirely over their head. And that will continue..... •Reply•Share ›"

I don't know enough to know if this rumor is legit - but I'd say the media sniffed out the Cano deal from the beginning and gave pretty credible intel.

If even aspects of it were true. We know Wright did fly out to Vegas to act as an ambassador for us during the meetings. Notice he never said they sat down with Harper. He said they sat down with Boras. Seems plausible...

Probably is nothing but it’s hot stove...

If they met with him, why would they need to make it a secret? Isn't the Mets special to say they were "in' on a big player and obviously never sign him? There is also zero chance the Mets offered a 14 year contract. Stopped reading there.

I also read the Mets are out on Marwin Gonzalez. "Not in a position to afford a super utility player". Ignoring the fact that he would be a starter for the Mets, why are they out on a player like this? There is a very slim chance Gonzalez signing turns out to be bad due to the length, age, versatility and cost... He actually fits there needs very well.

These budgetary restraints are pathetic.

In comment 14227193 Shecky said:

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1. I mentioned right at the start of WM some crazy comments being made. Not so much Brodie, but the Mets. Up and down it’s “different” 2. But Brodie knows he has to sell Jeff before he can sell anyone else. Mentioned that when he was first hired. Hence his big splash at low $$ cost approach up front. Jeff is giddy like a four year old on Xmas right now. Brodie knows how to tickle his balls and make him feel important. He knows how to be “liked” 3. Brodie is a straight shooter. I wouldn’t necessarily agree with the idea here yes, shit is fed, but Brodie is an honest straight forward guy. Believes in respect. The opposite of a shady car salesman. 4. I don’t know anything, I just speculate. And I’d speculate they are hunting for a big fish, and really big one. I just don’t think you’d find one in Area 51 or the grassy Knoll lol

First I'll say...The rumor posted by Z is either the best or cruelest thing I'll read all winter...my logical mind says it's BS (Boras doesn't work like that, sounds too good to be true, don't think the Mets really want to spend), but my heart and the optimist in me is praying it's legit...

Now, in response to your post shecky..I think this is why it's very important for Mets fans to not accept the status quo. Social media outrage and consistent pressure to make a big move can only help BVW's case. Apathy won't help, acceptance won't help.

to me. Just like a lot of other stuff posted on that site. Amazing how the level of analysis here on a Giants message board and heads and shoulders above there.

IMO, that site needs tougher moderation.

In comment 14227207 bhill410 said:

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Fact is we have no idea if they have or they haven’t and unless the people you randomly checked with are in the Mets “c”. And if that were the case I highly doubt you would need to be on this site. Pinging writers or lower level folks isn’t the end all be all. And how does anyone first respond to a post other than the one with the giant rumor this morning.

1. Proof will be in the pudding right? Or will the Mets meeting with and making Harper a monster offer just be a hidden secret a random poster on a board knows about?

2. I spoke to 1 person with ties to the team and one who is a writer and has Boras connections so yeah both "would know"

3. Boras is known for keeping suitors under the radar? Even for negotiation purposes it makes absolutely no sense on his end

But again proof will be in the pudding right? Either this previous meeting will be substantiated or nobody will ever mention it again correct? Or does throwing shit at the wall now become fact regardless? I stand by my sources. The Mets have not met with Bryce Harper. Could they? Who knows? But this story is a fake.

This very off season I was contacted by someone who runs a site who posted BS and asked to delete a tweet suggesting their rumor was BS (it was). They said they were trying to get their name out there and meant no malice...that blogger Dan Federico posted numerous BS rumors as fact "mets getting close to an deal where Syndergaard would go to the Padres and realmuto to the Mets with prospects to SD" only for Andy Martino to say the Mets never considered Syndergaard for Realmuto at any point

I respect your intelligence and passion. But if this poster is right - and I’m not saying he is - but your sources would not know and if they did they would not tell you. So you shooting it down means *nothing*; not out of disrespect but out of logic. To one of the earlier points, if the Mets were to do this I have long thought they would do it in secret. The FO will destroy the entire off-season positivity with a failed run at Harper. They would either want to nail him or have no one know they were angling for him and partaking in a bidding war. It would have to be secret.

In comment 14227298 CMicks3110 said:

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I respect your intelligence and passion. But if this poster is right - and I’m not saying he is - but your sources would not know and if they did they would not tell you. So you shooting it down means *nothing*; not out of disrespect but out of logic. To one of the earlier points, if the Mets were to do this I have long thought they would do it in secret. The FO will destroy the entire off-season positivity with a failed run at Harper. They would either want to nail him or have no one know they were angling for him and partaking in a bidding war. It would have to be secret.

Wait.. so your stance is even if we never hear about this again it might be true? So how can anyone ever suggest otherwise?

In comment 14227298 CMicks3110 said:

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I respect your intelligence and passion. But if this poster is right - and I’m not saying he is - but your sources would not know and if they did they would not tell you. So you shooting it down means *nothing*; not out of disrespect but out of logic. To one of the earlier points, if the Mets were to do this I have long thought they would do it in secret. The FO will destroy the entire off-season positivity with a failed run at Harper. They would either want to nail him or have no one know they were angling for him and partaking in a bidding war. It would have to be secret.

And why would Harper agree to this again? Why would Boras? He's so eager to be a Met? THAT defies logic. He's keeping this really quiet but might sign somewhere else? Again the idea "well it's secret so we may never hear about it" is absurd I'm sorry. Shecky has proven time and time again to have inside information and yet he's consistently said they aren't pursuing him but they should. What would prove the rumor false? Nothing?

Boras doesn't do/profit from "secret" Mets pursuits (especially if the Yankees balk and sign Machado). As it is there seems to be a somewhat limited market for his client. Dodgers, White Sox, Phillies. Some are even suggesting Washington will jump back in because so few teams are biting. Every other team needs a horse and pony show but the Mets take a clandestine meeting that NOBODY knows about.. that seems logical.

You get really bent out of shape when it comes to things like this.

In comment 14227298 CMicks3110 said:

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I respect your intelligence and passion. But if this poster is right - and I’m not saying he is - but your sources would not know and if they did they would not tell you. So you shooting it down means *nothing*; not out of disrespect but out of logic. To one of the earlier points, if the Mets were to do this I have long thought they would do it in secret. The FO will destroy the entire off-season positivity with a failed run at Harper. They would either want to nail him or have no one know they were angling for him and partaking in a bidding war. It would have to be secret.

I disagree that going after Harper and not signing him but ruin the offseason. I think most Mets fan would rather than atleast try then be completely out. They currently aren't even open to pursuing him currently. That is more frustrating as a fan then losing out on him in a bidding war or having him choose another team.

In comment 14227316 figgy2989 said:

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You get really bent out of shape when it comes to things like this.

Dan gets annoyed at bullshit and calls it out when he sees it. IMO, that's a good thing and why he's the MVP of Mets threads.

In comment 14227316 figgy2989 said:

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You get really bent out of shape when it comes to things like this.

Because I find it ridiculous when people say "well it's secret so we won't hear about it". Couldn't I say that about anything? "The Mets made the Angels a MONSTER offer for Trout yesterday, the Angels are considering it". Now prove me wrong?

suspect Martino is right

""They are probably looking away a little bit away from the A.J. Pollock's," Martino explained. "You might put Marwin Gonzalez in that level too. Away from the Adam Jones' and more toward depth pieces like the Rajai Davis signing you saw the other day where they feel that they got the middle-of-the-order bats [Robinson] Cano, [Wilson] Ramos. And with Ramos, they really were able to get the bat and the catcher. That took care of those two needs."

As Martino points out, Cano and Ramos will be the power bats in the middle of the order to go around players like Brandon Nimmo and Michael Conforto. And Pollock's asking price at around $15 million isn't attractive for someone who has been an average outfielder over his career.

"The market and the ask for A.J. Pollock is really high right now," Martino said. "My sense on the way they're headed on this is that they feel like they did a lot of their heavy lifting and now we're doing pieces around the fringes."


Although I do take issue with Rajai Davis being mentioned at all. He's 38 and has been bad for 2 years. Really hope he's not part of their actual "plans".

would be a very strange player to spend on given the makeup of the team. I didn't ask about him nor do I care but he's league average and plays a position where they already have Frazier and McNeil and Alonso at 1b. Wasted funds unless his market is zero (no reason it should be).

would be great to see some surprising OF trade because as I noted the AAA OF is currently...Tebow-Lee-Krizan-Kaczmarski-Mora... that's 0 players who are even likely 5th OF's let alone depth for an extended run.

I have had buddy’s from law school who worked for several of the big agencies over the years (unfortunately only see them at large events these days) and whenever I speak to them they constantly are telling me about meetings that are way out of left field that aren’t reported by the media. That includes ones that they didn’t even know people in their own agency were having at the time. So while the thing may be complete bs and very likely is let’s not scream bullshit in some incredibly definitive way since the reality is tons of crap happens that writers don’t know about. It’s an arrogant approach to life and diminishes the enjoyment g of hot stove season.

Just seems like you take this very personally.

In comment 14227342 bhill410 said:

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I have had buddy’s from law school who worked for several of the big agencies over the years (unfortunately only see them at large events these days) and whenever I speak to them they constantly are telling me about meetings that are way out of left field that aren’t reported by the media. That includes ones that they didn’t even know people in their own agency were having at the time. So while the thing may be complete bs and very likely is let’s not scream bullshit in some incredibly definitive way since the reality is tons of crap happens that writers don’t know about. It’s an arrogant approach to life and diminishes the enjoyment g of hot stove season.

It's not arrogant to interject that this is 100% bullshit. You feel otherwise. That is your right. It's utter BS and even ZGiants (I don't even go to the site he frequents) usually prefaces his stuff with "this guy has posted good information before" and did not with whomever this is.

In comment 14227343 figgy2989 said:

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Just seems like you take this very personally.

Because every off-season it's suggested the Mets will run after the top guys and it hasn't happened since... Carlos Beltran. Dems just the facts. So rumors that are utter BS deserve to be called as much. A Mets meeting and pending monster offer for Bryce Harper at the meetings would be known by more than one random poster on a site. Other teams would know this, players etc.

teams have spoken to Wilmer. Good for him.

on cue

"There is always the slimmest of possibilities the Mets are playing possum and could jump in on Bryce Harper, but Van Wagenen’s actions and statements in recent weeks suggest otherwise, and this organization has hardly shown a stomach for giving mega-contracts to free agents, who in this case would be seeking north of $300 million.

Why even the slimmest possibility the Mets could pursue Harper? Simply the “honeymoon period,” as one industry source described it this week, as Van Wagenen continues to put a sparkle in the eye of team COO Jeff Wilpon and could potentially convince his boss to rock the baseball world by signing the 26-year-old slugger."

"While Van Wagenen is downplaying a big right-handed bat who could help in the outfield — a description that fits A.J. Pollock — the industry still views the Mets as in the hunt for smaller pieces such as Adam Jones and Melky Cabrera.

The fact Jones is represented by CAA, the firm that until recently employed Van Wagenen as the co-head of the baseball division, indicates the lines of communication have remained open between the two sides. But there are questions whether the 33-year-old Jones can still handle center field, where the Mets ideally could use another set of legs. Cabrera is a switch hitter whose center-field days are behind him."


Jones and Cabrera are both terrible options. Jones is shot.

I’m saying you’re wrong to say it wouldn’t be in secret. I think I remember the Mets flirting with Cano when he was a free agent a few years after the fact, not during the negotiation. But I could be wrong.

Um. "But there are questions whether the 33-year-old Jones can still handle center field, "... the answer to that question is NO. -18 DRS in CF. Only 1 CF in baseball was worse. #Mets

In comment 14227277 Metnut said:

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to me. Just like a lot of other stuff posted on that site. Amazing how the level of analysis here on a Giants message board and heads and shoulders above there. IMO, that site needs tougher moderation.

Seriously? What does the site have to do with what a random commenter posted in the comments section? The people that run that site have more credible sources than anyone here outside of maybe Shecky and Capone. One particular poster there has the biggest source you could possibly ever have in the front office and talks to him weekly. The site also puts out 5-10 articles a day that spurs thousands of comments. No need to shit on the site. Almost all of the best posters from AA defected over to MMO years ago.

In comment 14227327 DanMetroMan said:

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suspect Martino is right ""They are probably looking away a little bit away from the A.J. Pollock's," Martino explained. "You might put Marwin Gonzalez in that level too. Away from the Adam Jones' and more toward depth pieces like the Rajai Davis signing you saw the other day where they feel that they got the middle-of-the-order bats [Robinson] Cano, [Wilson] Ramos. And with Ramos, they really were able to get the bat and the catcher. That took care of those two needs." As Martino points out, Cano and Ramos will be the power bats in the middle of the order to go around players like Brandon Nimmo and Michael Conforto. And Pollock's asking price at around $15 million isn't attractive for someone who has been an average outfielder over his career. "The market and the ask for A.J. Pollock is really high right now," Martino said. "My sense on the way they're headed on this is that they feel like they did a lot of their heavy lifting and now we're doing pieces around the fringes." Although I do take issue with Rajai Davis being mentioned at all. He's 38 and has been bad for 2 years. Really hope he's not part of their actual "plans".

The classification of Ramos as a power bat, middle of the order bat...is laughable... he should be hitting 7th on a great team.

In comment 14227360 CMicks3110 said:

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I’m saying you’re wrong to say it wouldn’t be in secret. I think I remember the Mets flirting with Cano when he was a free agent a few years after the fact, not during the negotiation. But I could be wrong.

The Mets meeting with Cano (Jay-Z) was not in secret.

"Jay Z, a new sports agent whose company now reps Cano, was present along with Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon, general manager Sandy Alderson, assistant GM John Ricco and CAA agent Brodie Van Wagenen at the NoMad Hotel, according to multiple reports. Cano reportedly is looking for a monster deal in the $300 million range, which means that the Mets aren’t likely bidders."

Have smartened up to the expectation game. They severely downplayed a Cespedes reunion until it happened.

...he's not a big bat either...

who's writing this stuff you are posting?

why put out all the other messages about not having money for even lesser players?

why not (even coyly) acknowledge that they are exploring every option? Ex. we knew 5 years ago the Wilpons weren't spending on cano, but they didn't rule it out.

what benefit does secrecy have?

I guess Fred could wake up any morning and decide to backload a massive contract and go for it to try to win 1 while he's still around. But it seems extremely odd that the mets are hunting a big fish while also saying they can't afford any smaller fish. It could be a negotiating tactic for the smaller fish I guess, but 9999 times out of 10000 when the Mets have said they're done spending, they're done spending.

Mets never made Cano an offer. They were mostly trying to get to know Jay-Z who was promoting himself as the next big sports agent at the time. I think he's pretty hands off at this point.

In comment 14227369 CMicks3110 said:

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Have smartened up to the expectation game. They severely downplayed a Cespedes reunion until it happened.

Cespedes was quietly headed to Houston for slightly less money until the Mets kicked in the no-trade clause.

In comment 14227371 moze1021 said:

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...he's not a big bat either... who's writing this stuff you are posting?

subject got cut off... this was referring to Pollock...

I will 100% preface a legit rumor if it comes from one of the 3-5 guys there that I know are legit. This came from somebody totally random but it seemed “fun” enough to share.

last 2 seasons -30 DRS in CF. He can no longer play the position. So you're sticking Nimmo in CF, Jones in RF (where he also was terrible -6 DRS in limited innings) to add Jones 98 wRC+? If not for his resume through 2015 he's a minor league deal/ST invite guy.

In comment 14227379 ZGiants98 said:

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I will 100% preface a legit rumor if it comes from one of the 3-5 guys there that I know are legit. This came from somebody totally random but it seemed “fun” enough to share.

To be clear, I wasn't knocking you or knocking posting it. We argue all the time but you preface this stuff with information regarding the posters background when you buy it.

I just think this rumor is a bit ridiculous. Why would Boras keep the Mets interest a secret? He is always about getting the max deal out of a team for his clients and hiding interest from one team goes against that. He shops deals around to get the best possible offer.

Wtf????

I hope no one is taking personal shots at Z or he takes it as such. He’s posting with a preface that it’s just rumor. Anyone here can take them or leave them, but no reason not to pay rumors. It’s fun.

is the list of OF's worse than Adam Jones since opening day 2017-

Jose Bautista
Nomar Mazara
Trey Mancini
Alex Gordon
Carlos Gonzalez
Adam Duvall
Kole Calhoun

That's it.

2018-
Trey Mancini
Kole Calhoun
Dee Gordon
Teoscar Hernandez

That's it.

In comment 14227382 DanMetroMan said:

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In comment 14227379 ZGiants98 said: Quote: I will 100% preface a legit rumor if it comes from one of the 3-5 guys there that I know are legit. This came from somebody totally random but it seemed “fun” enough to share. To be clear, I wasn't knocking you or knocking posting it. We argue all the time but you preface this stuff with information regarding the posters background when you buy it.

Yup.

should call Arizona about Peralta. Arizona likely doesn't move him but no harm asking.