Owners expected to vote in favor of Cohen on Friday.. but..
“ The mayor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
There is a real fear on Cohen’s side, according to a person familiar with the situation, that the Mets will be placed at a competitive disadvantage if de Blasio does not sign over the lease by the time MLB owners vote on his transfer of power.” NYDN
They hold the lease for the land.
"But on Monday, federal prosecutors announced that Mr. Cohen’s firm, SAC Capital Advisors, had agreed to plead guilty to insider trading violations and pay a record $1.2 billion penalty, becoming the first large Wall Street firm in a generation to confess to criminal conduct. The government has also forced SAC to terminate its business of managing money for outside investors."
the claim is he could use this to say Cohen is a "prohibited person". Worth noting the DOJ already signed off on the deal.
Billy needs his palm greased.
This asshole put the blame on schools not getting iPads out to students. I am personally doing them. We've gotten single iPads showing up to the school here and there. We had one big shipment of 89. As of today we have gotten approximately 100 of 300 requests. Yeah, we are to blame for students not being able to learn. There is not one person I know that has something positive to say about him.
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is actively trying to be the most disliked person in the history of NYC.
This asshole put the blame on schools not getting iPads out to students. I am personally doing them. We've gotten single iPads showing up to the school here and there. We had one big shipment of 89. As of today we have gotten approximately 100 of 300 requests. Yeah, we are to blame for students not being able to learn. There is not one person I know that has something positive to say about him.
He's tall
Give us some offseason hints. Finally a real catcher? CF?
Kind of surprising over Mauricio no?
What are the new rookie rules?
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rookie rules, Gimenez no longer rookie eligible. Not that he was ever likely to win NL ROY. MLB.com elevates Alvarez to #1 in the Mets system. He's at least 2 years away.
What are the new rookie rules?
The biggest change is September WILL count towards service time (usually it does not) so players who saw X time in September (like Gimenez) lost eligibility for 2021.
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rookie rules, Gimenez no longer rookie eligible. Not that he was ever likely to win NL ROY. MLB.com elevates Alvarez to #1 in the Mets system. He's at least 2 years away.
What are the new rookie rules?
I think it's 45 days on active roster. The big name negatively impacted is Jo Adell.
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rookie rules, Gimenez no longer rookie eligible. Not that he was ever likely to win NL ROY. MLB.com elevates Alvarez to #1 in the Mets system. He's at least 2 years away.
Kind of surprising over Mauricio no?
Toss-up. Alvarez will be 19 in November, Mauricio will be 20 in April. Alvarez had a big debut and impressed in the alternate site. Those are easily their top 2, I'd have Allen 3rd.
Fully up to the Mayor. That being said, there will be media pressure for him to make the call. The MLB off-season begins 5 days after the World Series. Things like Stroman's QO, Brodie etc need to be decided so either he gives approval next week or it's going to be a major issue/story.
Newsday article says this:
I expect Cohen to grease the Mayor's palms in some way and this to eventually go through. He's even fucking over the union workers who Cohen has pledged to pay during the off-season.
It's all true, and on both sides. A truly unlikable figure and the furthest thing from a leader.
Is there news or something on Betances?
The Cohen news keeps looking good. Let's get past this vote on Friday, the De Blasio thing seems like a non-story but we'll get past that too and then the fun starts.
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Betances back ugh, hopefully, they reject Chirinos option, Frazier is likely a toss-up. I'd love to look into the price of Joe Musgrove but the ask would likely be very high.
Is there news or something on Betances?
The Cohen news keeps looking good. Let's get past this vote on Friday, the De Blasio thing seems like a non-story but we'll get past that too and then the fun starts.
5 days for players to make decisions on their options and teams to make QO's. Betances player option is for 6.8 million. He'd be pretty nuts to reject that. He's 33 and has pitched 13 innings in 2 years.
A notorious slow starter, why not adjust can get started earlier so his body clock says it's August, but it's really April.
A notorious slow starter, why not adjust can get started earlier so his body clock says it's August, but it's really April.
I know you're mostly kidding but I think he's completely shot. Odds are 6.8 million is less of a sunk cost than it would be for Fred/Jeff but I'm more hopeful we have moved past relying on "ridiculous" outcomes and expecting things to work out. It was a weird year but Hefner (despite the high praise) really didn't have success stories.
Hefner was well thought of when he was hired but he had 0 experience so I'm actually more worried about the prospect of him as pitching coach than Rojas as manager.
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can start warming up now. I think I read that his highest velocity pitch was in his final appearance of the season.
A notorious slow starter, why not adjust can get started earlier so his body clock says it's August, but it's really April.
I know you're mostly kidding but I think he's completely shot. Odds are 6.8 million is less of a sunk cost than it would be for Fred/Jeff but I'm more hopeful we have moved past relying on "ridiculous" outcomes and expecting things to work out. It was a weird year but Hefner (despite the high praise) really didn't have success stories.
Yes, I was mostly kidding, but his highest velocity was in his final start I believe.
I think Diaz had a nice bounce back, all things considered, not sure if Hefner played a role in that or not, but IMO he's still a key to the Mets immediate future success (unless he's traded obviously).
Defense and experienced coaching have been massive achilles heels for this organization from 2017-2020 (2017 was mostly tanked by injuries, but the defense did regress big time from 2016).
Those are 2 areas of focus that aren't so sexy but could go a long way to making a lot of the guys already here perform up to expectation going forward. Guys like Zunino, Maldonado, etc. seem to always show up on good organizations who make runs in the playoffs. I think Zunino was the catcher for SEA when Diaz had his big year. Those guys aren't around for their bats so there's something they do that good organizations value.
I am sick of marginal offensive C's who can't throw out runners or pitch frame at all.
With Conforto, Alonso, McNeil, Cano, Davis, Nimmo, Rosario, Gimenez, Smith, etc the Mets should have enough offense they can prioritize defense in that one spot.
I don't know who that catcher is though and if he's available if he even exists.
Link - ( New Window )
Link - ( New Window )
I am sick of marginal offensive C's who can't throw out runners or pitch frame at all.
With Conforto, Alonso, McNeil, Cano, Davis, Nimmo, Rosario, Gimenez, Smith, etc the Mets should have enough offense they can prioritize defense in that one spot.
I don't know who that catcher is though and if he's available if he even exists.
Zunino 27% CS. He's not the answer. McCann will be the name many mention. Was 2020 a fluke? Who knows? I wanted to chase Stallings last year and he was excellent behind the dish.
Ramos was the exact opposite of that kind of move, whose biggest weaknesses probably directly impacted the top guys in the BP, and I hope they prioritize fixing that going forward. I am not saying Zunino should be that guy.
Ramos was the exact opposite of that kind of move, whose biggest weaknesses probably directly impacted the top guys in the BP, and I hope they prioritize fixing that going forward. I am not saying Zunino should be that guy.
but even defensively Zunino hasn't graded well AND he's a truly horrendous offensive player. Offensively bad. If you're going to prioritize C defense that's fine but you can't have a net negative player in your lineup. There is nothing Zunino does better than Nido and Nido "could" actually be a non-horrible offensive player. Pay the piper for Vazquez if glove is what you want.
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potential I would be totally fine with a defensive whiz at C, who is not known for his bat.
I am sick of marginal offensive C's who can't throw out runners or pitch frame at all.
With Conforto, Alonso, McNeil, Cano, Davis, Nimmo, Rosario, Gimenez, Smith, etc the Mets should have enough offense they can prioritize defense in that one spot.
I don't know who that catcher is though and if he's available if he even exists.
Zunino 27% CS. He's not the answer. McCann will be the name many mention. Was 2020 a fluke? Who knows? I wanted to chase Stallings last year and he was excellent behind the dish.
I wasn't suggesting Zunino. I don't know who the guy is that fits the defensive whiz MO.
@timbhealey
Bill de Blasio on Mets sale: City’s law department is still doing its “due diligence,” announcement coming “at some point in the next few days.”
As we have reported, de Blasio’s involvement is not expected to be a serious impediment to the completion of Cohen’s Mets purchase.
@martinonyc
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10m
To elaborate on this, parties involved on all sides of the sale have been working to figure out what would satisfy the mayor. They have a feel for what it is and are in process.
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my point was that defensive impact from a catcher is a big deal - and all the well run organizations people talk about seemingly buy in to that as well. The Rays, Houston, etc.
Ramos was the exact opposite of that kind of move, whose biggest weaknesses probably directly impacted the top guys in the BP, and I hope they prioritize fixing that going forward. I am not saying Zunino should be that guy.
but even defensively Zunino hasn't graded well AND he's a truly horrendous offensive player. Offensively bad. If you're going to prioritize C defense that's fine but you can't have a net negative player in your lineup. There is nothing Zunino does better than Nido and Nido "could" actually be a non-horrible offensive player. Pay the piper for Vazquez if glove is what you want.
What part of "not saying they should go after Zunino" was unclear?
And yes, Vazquez is the type I'd go after. He'd actually be a very interesting candidate in a swap for JDD or Rosario or Nimmo.
Ramos isn't declining his option, the Mets are. It's a team option. Ramos would be out of his fucking mind to turn down 1 year 10 million, luckily for the Mets he doesn't have that decision.
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Going to decline option
Ramos isn't declining his option, the Mets are. It's a team option. Ramos would be out of his fucking mind to turn down 1 year 10 million, luckily for the Mets he doesn't have that decision.
I should have worded it better. Yes Mets are declining the option not Ramos. I just was putting it out there that the option is being decline not who was doing it.
What is the no-brainer? QO and hope he signed LT elsewhere?
Do they even need to QO a player who opted out?
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is the Stroman deadline, the first no-brainer... hopefully.
What is the no-brainer? QO and hope he signed LT elsewhere?
Do they even need to QO a player who opted out?
The absolute worst case is he accepts and you have an above average SP for 1 season at 18.9 million. He's almost 100% rejected the QO at which point you either get a 2nd rounder or sign him to a multi-year deal. They paid Familia and Betances 18 million this season. They paid Wacha and Lowrie 15 million. Worst case of Stroman taking 1 year to fill a need? No-brainer, he's the #2 SP on the market.
Bauer
Stroman
Tanaka
Taijuan Walker
It's REALLY bad.
JDG and Peterson will likely get 2 other spots.
Then you are just putting together some depth options for the 5th start spot (and knowing Thor hopefully back midseason).
JDG and Peterson will likely get 2 other spots.
Then you are just putting together some depth options for the 5th start spot (and knowing Thor hopefully back midseason).
Doubt Walker settles for 1 year given the market. I also think he's being overrated. Underlying numbers weren't very good. Gausman is my tier 2 target if we go FA, don't think Tanaka leaves or I'd be in on him too. Sadly, while the system has some high end prospects they likely don't have the depth to chase a guy like Musgrove. They should consider names like Kluber and Gray.
I have no interest in a LT contract with him until I see him pitch a full season in NY.
I wasn't that impressed with him relative to expectations.
Is he better than Matz, Porcello, Wacha, etc? Of course, but I don't know he'll perform up to the contract he gets and even as desperate as the Mets may be for starters, signing a guy out of desperation almost always ends bad.
MLB revenues took a huge hit this year and plenty of teams sit out FA even in recent normal offseasons.
Sure Realmuto and Springer will get multi-year offers - but will they be at an AAV big enough to justify them signing? For those 2 I would guess yes, I wouldn't be confident betting on anyone else I don't think.
MLB revenues took a huge hit this year and plenty of teams sit out FA even in recent normal offseasons.
Sure Realmuto and Springer will get multi-year offers - but will they be at an AAV big enough to justify them signing? For those 2 I would guess yes, I wouldn't be confident betting on anyone else I don't think.
I think it's equal amount a function of the quality of player as it is the COVID market.
Just as an example, MTL signed Brendan Gallagher to a 6 year 39M deal, Tyler Toffoli 4 years 17M, Josh Anderson 7 year 38.5M, etc.
Vegas signed Alex Pietrangelo 7 years $62M
Hall signed a 1 year 8M deal, and he get another at-bat in FA next year.
so I don't think it's just COVID though it obviously had an impact since the cap is not going to increase the same way (for the NHL).
I did forget about Pietrangelo though - and like him I think Spring/Realmuto are cream of the crop FA's who will have solid multi-year options. Some FA may prefer the 1 year deals like Hall if they aren't happy with their multi-year options.
At the middle levels of FA (Mike Hoffman, etc.) I expect it to be very slow going.
But all of these sports are different. The cap in the NHL dictates things whereas in MLB it's more team by team finances. I think the flat cap is probably less restrictive to the market place than the fact that a bunch of MLB teams revenues were severely impacted by the shortened season the fact that a sizeable chunk comes from attendance.
That I agree with - but I'd sign for that contract because it has big upside. I'd actually prefer it to a 1 year/15m though I'd take either. Same goes for Stroman too I guess.
I did forget about Pietrangelo though - and like him I think Spring/Realmuto are cream of the crop FA's who will have solid multi-year options. Some FA may prefer the 1 year deals like Hall if they aren't happy with their multi-year options.
At the middle levels of FA (Mike Hoffman, etc.) I expect it to be very slow going.
But all of these sports are different. The cap in the NHL dictates things whereas in MLB it's more team by team finances. I think the flat cap is probably less restrictive to the market place than the fact that a bunch of MLB teams revenues were severely impacted by the shortened season the fact that a sizeable chunk comes from attendance.
I agree, but RFA's don't have to sign LT deals, they could sign bridge deals too.
In fact most don't sign LT (and there is a fair amount of RFA's still unsigned).
My only point was it's not ALL COVID, it definitely had an impact though.
If Nathan MacKinnon or Connor McDavid or Mookie Betts or Mike Trout were FA's this year they'd break the bank. But Taylor Hall and JT Realmuto headlining a FA class probably settle for less than they hope for (maybe on Realmuto).
Bauer the wild card. If he sticks to his word and signs only a 1-year deal obviously N/A. Otherwise he needs to get shot in the nuts with a paint ball gun by his buddy.
So it's less of a function of present day revenue + cash flow and more of a multi-year equation of slotting guys in at their defined levels. If anything I think for guys in RFA situations, the current climate makes both sides more amenable to taking some security as opposed to minimizing the window the UFA. Ex. I expect the Islanders and Ryan Pulock to both be amenable to a long term solution whereas in a typical offseason both sides might be more willing to roll the dice on arbitration and kick the can down the road.
Baseball's salary structure on the other hand is a free for all. In recent years their free agencies have been notoriously slow and that was despite record profits. Now we are going to have an offseason where the overall profits are down probably somewhere between 25-50%? I don't think there's an easy way to predict how this offseason plays out, but I'd feel confident guessing the players will do worse than their counterparts in the other leagues have done/will do. So I think it's a great buying opportunity for Cohen to come in right away and aggressively fill holes at reasonable prices.
@markasaxon
The #STLCards
declined Kolten Wong's $12.5 million option, costing them $1 million and making him a free agent.
@markasaxon
The #STLCards
declined Kolten Wong's $12.5 million option, costing them $1 million and making him a free agent.
I think this is the tip of the iceberg. Same thing happened in the NHL with guys not even getting tendered as RFA's. And that's with a flat % of league revenue tied to salaries.
MLB revenues were hit big time. The only lever owners have going to forward to recoup that money is by cutting payroll wherever they can.
The Twins have elected to decline their club option over righty Sergio Romo, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports. He’ll receive a $250K buyout rather than the $5MM option price.
@ZackMeisel
The Indians have placed Brad Hand on outright waivers with the intention of declining his $10 million club option if he goes unclaimed, sources say. If a team does claim him, the Indians won't be responsible for paying his $1 million buyout. Hand posted a 2.05 ERA in 2020.
@ZackMeisel
The Indians have placed Brad Hand on outright waivers with the intention of declining his $10 million club option if he goes unclaimed, sources say. If a team does claim him, the Indians won't be responsible for paying his $1 million buyout. Hand posted a 2.05 ERA in 2020.
Would really be a nice add.
Bill de Blasio is a fake, phony, and a fraud.
Bill de Blasio is a fake, phony, and a fraud.
Bill de Blasio changed his name because his father, Warren Wilhelm, was an abusive drunk that took his own life when de Blasio was 18. de Blasio is Bill's mother's family name.
dude ... NYC has had 109 mayors, if you go all the way back. Even us old-timers weren't alive for most of them. Do your own research and report back to us. Thanks in advance!