I was asked to post this last night, didn't get a chance
1) Spring Training Schedule: The Mets are preparing for their upcoming spring training games, with matches scheduled against the Nationals on February 26 and the Astros on February 25.
2) Hall of Fame Ballot Newbies: Notable players such as Big Sexy, Wright and Reyes are among the new candidates on the Hall of Fame ballot.
3) MLB Awards Week: Recently, MLB Awards Week took place, with results and analysis highlighting key players and performances in the league. This includes the announcement of Acuna and Ohtani as unanimous MVPs.
4) Management and Coaching Updates: The Mets have been making significant changes in their management and coaching staff, including a new 3-year contract for their manager, Mendoza.
Current State of the Coaching Staff
The Mets are currently grappling with a bench coach vacancy, a critical role for any MLB team. This comes alongside role shifts for Eric Chavez and Jeremy Barnes, who are now sharing hitting coach duties. These changes indicate a strategic reshuffle, aiming to bolster the team's coaching effectiveness.
New Additions and Hires
The introduction of Kris Gross and Andy Green in player development and amateur scouting is a significant move. Their expertise could be pivotal in nurturing the next generation of Mets stars, ensuring a bright future for the team.
Willie Randolph's Consideration
The consideration of Willie Randolph for the bench coach position was intriguing. His connection with Carlos Mendoza and vast experience bring a wealth of knowledge, though questions about his age and ability to connect with younger players remain.
Randolph's Tenure as Mets Manager
Randolph's tenure from 2005 to 2008, including the 2006 NLCS appearance and the 2007 collapse, was a rollercoaster of emotions for fans. His firing and legacy are still topics of discussion among the Mets community.
Other Candidates in the Mix
Phil Nevin and other potential candidates are also in the mix. Each brings unique strengths and perspectives, making the decision a critical one for the Mets' future success.
David Stearns' Leadership and Approach
Under David Stearns' leadership, the Mets are exploring unconventional methods and a collaborative decision-making process in staffing. This innovative approach could be a game-changer for the team.
Collaborative Decision-Making
The Mets' collaborative approach to staffing, blending experience with fresh perspectives, could set the stage for a dynamic and successful coaching team.
As a Mets fan, these developments fill me with both excitement and anticipation. The decisions made in the coming days will shape the future of our beloved team. Here's to hoping for a season of triumphs and a future as bright as the stars in Queens!
Mets' Pitching Strategy in the Wake of Cardinals' Market Moves
As a Mets fan, I've seen our share of ups and downs. The recent developments in our pitching strategy, especially in light of the Cardinals setting the market, have me both intrigued and cautiously optimistic.
The Search for Starting Pitchers
The Mets, under the leadership of David Stearns, are on a quest to fortify their rotation. With Kodai Senga and José Quintana as the only certain starters, the need for additional firepower is clear. Last season's 75-87 record is a stark reminder that to compete with the likes of the Braves and Phillies, we need to up our game. The prospect of adding a high-caliber pitcher is exciting and could be a significant step towards contention.
The Cost of Landing Starting Pitchers
The Cardinals have set a new benchmark by signing Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson for $10 million and $12 million, respectively. This move has implications for the Mets, who now face the reality of spending significantly to acquire top-tier pitchers. However, the question remains: is it wise to invest heavily in uncertain pitchers?
Comparing Pitchers and Mets' Strategic Moves
Joey Lucchesi and Tylor Megill could offer similar value to Lynn, but the Mets' eyes are on bigger prizes. Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jordan Montgomery are high on our list, offering a blend of talent and potential without the hefty price tag associated with qualifying offer players like
Blake Snell and Sonny Gray.
The Mets must avoid overpaying for injury-prone pitchers, a lesson perhaps they’ve learned. Yet here comes Luis Severino...
Tyler Glasnow's Career and Potential Trade Partners
Speaking of an injury-prone pitcher… Tyler Glasnow, currently with the Tampa Bay Rays, is a hot topic in the trade rumor mill. His impressive career stats, including a 3.89 ERA and 678 strikeouts, make him an attractive target. However, his injury history, including a recent oblique injury, is a concern.
The Mets, known for their deep pockets, could be a perfect landing spot for Glasnow. The Rays and the Phillies are potential trade partners, but the complexity of trade negotiations means anything could happen.
Avoiding Risky Investments
The Mets should steer clear of unreliable options. Investing in pitchers who offer quality and reliability, especially if they command a lower salary than the likes of Lynn and Gibson, is a smarter strategy.
The Fifth Starter Conundrum
Lucchesi, while not the most glamorous option, could be a reasonable gamble as a fifth starter. The ideal scenario? Signing Yamamoto and trading for a young, controllable arm, aligning with the Cardinals' approach but tailored to our needs.
The Disappointing 2023 Season and Rebuilding
After a disappointing 2023 season, where we saw the departure of key players like Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, signing a player of Yamamoto's caliber is not just desirable but necessary. His ability to electrify the mound could be the catalyst for a much-needed turnaround.
The focus should be on securing Yamamoto and a young arm through trade, emphasizing smart financial decisions. His familiarity with Kodai Senga could be a significant advantage, potentially creating a formidable rotation duo.
The Pursuit of Yamamoto and Other Options
The Mets' aggressiveness in pursuing Yamamoto will be telling. If we fail to secure him, alternatives like Blake Snell (doubtful since he received a qualifying offer) and Jordan Montgomery are still on the table. However, the Mets' approach to free agency this season will be critical in shaping our future.
Mets Sign Bullpen Arm to Bolster Depth
In a strategic move, the Mets signed Cole Sulser to a minor league contract. Sulser, with a mixed performance in MLB, could become a valuable piece in the Mets' bullpen. This low-risk move shows the Mets' intent to address their bullpen issues, which was a key reason for their struggles last season.
Ronny Mauricio's Performance Review
Minor and Major League Breakdown
In the minors, Mauricio's stats were impressive: a .292 batting average, 23 homers, and 24 stolen bases over 116 games. But when he stepped up to the majors, we saw a dip - a .248 average with 2 home runs in 26 games. Despite this, his potential shines through.
Evaluating Mauricio's Future
Mauricio's journey has been a rollercoaster. Starting strong in winter ball, he faced a setback being sent down to AAA Syracuse due to Lindor's presence. However, his performance there - especially those highlight-worthy homers - was nothing short of impressive. His delayed promotion might have been a misstep by the Mets, but once he got his shot in September, boy, did he show flashes of brilliance!
Coleman Crow's Breakout Potential
Now, let's talk about Coleman Crow. This kid has skills that could make him a star, but there's a risk we might lose him in the Rule 5 draft. Keeping an eye on his development is crucial for the Mets' future strategy.
Coleman Crow, a promising Mets prospect, is at risk of being plucked from the organization due to the Rule 5 draft. His impressive performance in Double-A, including a 1.88 ERA and 31 strikeouts, makes him a valuable asset. The Mets face the challenge of balancing their roster while protecting their prospects.
LFGM
As a die-hard Mets fan and someone who's lived through the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with following this team, the latest developments in our pitching lineup have me on the edge of my seat.
From last Mets thread:
- The New York Mets are introduced Carlos Mendoza as their new manager.
- Deadline to add players to the 40-man roster.
- Some fans have expressed their opinions about potential coaching staff changes and candidates.
- Speculation about who the Mets might add to their 40-man roster.
- The Yankees are mentioned in trade discussions for players like Nick Senzel and Soto.
- The agent representing Yamamoto and Senga, Joel Wolfe, is also involved with Stanton and Diaz.
Calling on all the BBI Met threads old posters, for a good Royal Rumble of days past...
Previous Mets thread: Mets to introduce Carlos Mendoza at noon - (
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- my IFA guy on Guerrero “bad body, big power but don’t love the swing, last name is the carrying tool”
i dont hate betting on bloodlines when it comes to hitting. especially if it's not even a big bonus.
Quote:
Got one of the largest bonuses in recent memory (3.9 million) (the Mets at one point were expected to sign him)
the surprising thing is that the mets were that in it in those days. whenever those negotiations were going on had to be peak madoff problems ('12-14?).
I remember their pursuit and almost signing of Guerrero being surprising but I don’t recall their being any real explanation. My complete guess is Cruz had a relationship with Vlad Sr. But how they convinced the Wilpons to come “close” to 3.9 is beyond me
we've had an excess of time spent not celebrating things for reflection.
They sign Dan as. Free agent, and we’re fucked…
Cuz Prisonstriper fans are mongos.
Scott Havens, CEO of Bloomberg Media, has been named the new President of Business Operations for the New York Mets beginning January 2024. He will take over the role from Sandy Alderson, who will transition into an advisory position.
As President, Havens will oversee all non-baseball operations for the Mets and report directly to team owner Steve Cohen. His priorities include improving workflows, boosting revenue, and elevating the fan experience.
The appointment signifies substantial leadership changes for the Mets, with Havens' media and business expertise expected to shape the team's business management and operations. Meanwhile, Sandy Alderson will provide institutional guidance in an advisory capacity during the transition and beyond.
In summary, Scott Havens brings fresh leadership to the Mets' business side, while Sandy Alderson continues advising the club. Significant operational changes are anticipated from Havens' appointment as he takes over business operations leadership.
From When Bloomberg hired him - ( New Window )
Somehow I never considered the fact that Piazza’s 9/11 home run came off a guy born in NYC/Flushing.
Scott Havens, CEO of Bloomberg Media, has been named the new President of Business Operations for the New York Mets beginning January 2024. He will take over the role from Sandy Alderson, who will transition into an advisory position.
As President, Havens will oversee all non-baseball operations for the Mets and report directly to team owner Steve Cohen. His priorities include improving workflows, boosting revenue, and elevating the fan experience.
The appointment signifies substantial leadership changes for the Mets, with Havens' media and business expertise expected to shape the team's business management and operations. Meanwhile, Sandy Alderson will provide institutional guidance in an advisory capacity during the transition and beyond.
In summary, Scott Havens brings fresh leadership to the Mets' business side, while Sandy Alderson continues advising the club. Significant operational changes are anticipated from Havens' appointment as he takes over business operations leadership.
From When Bloomberg hired him - ( New Window )
It’s been suggested he’ll be particularly valuable once the TV deal is up.. which sadly isn’t for a while but still.
Quote:
Scott Havens, CEO of Bloomberg Media, has been named the new President of Business Operations for the New York Mets beginning January 2024. He will take over the role from Sandy Alderson, who will transition into an advisory position.
As President, Havens will oversee all non-baseball operations for the Mets and report directly to team owner Steve Cohen. His priorities include improving workflows, boosting revenue, and elevating the fan experience.
The appointment signifies substantial leadership changes for the Mets, with Havens' media and business expertise expected to shape the team's business management and operations. Meanwhile, Sandy Alderson will provide institutional guidance in an advisory capacity during the transition and beyond.
In summary, Scott Havens brings fresh leadership to the Mets' business side, while Sandy Alderson continues advising the club. Significant operational changes are anticipated from Havens' appointment as he takes over business operations leadership.
From When Bloomberg hired him - ( New Window )
It’s been suggested he’ll be particularly valuable once the TV deal is up.. which sadly isn’t for a while but still.
That is what I was thinking. I'd imagine Cohen is planning to buy SNY.
Yup. 2030
https://www.amny.com/sports/where-does-sny-stand-amid-steve-cohen-mets-takeover/
https://metsmerizedonline.com/report-steve-cohen-still-interested-in-buying-sny/
at one point i think there were rumors that cohen was paying a total of $4bn for both mets/sny but that ended up not true.
by the way going back down memory lane, thank god the wilponzis wilponzied the original deal because had they not done that and screwed the pooch, they still would have been involved at least transitionally through next year.
"I'm very disappointed we couldn't work out a deal," Cohen said in a statement after the deal broke apart, per Tim Healey of Newsday. "But as an 8 percent holder, I'm looking forward to a higher bid for the team."
While the two sides had initially agreed on a five-year transition period, the Wilpons wanted to maintain team control beyond the 2024 season and wanted to extend their control of SNY beyond the current 20-year rights deal, per Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News.
Mets Rumors: Steve Cohen Wants Majority Stake in SNY amid Team's $3B Valuation FEBRUARY 19, 2020 - ( New Window )
Jon Heyman
@JonHeyman
Reds are among many teams in on Emilio Pagan, who had a nice season in Minnesota (2.99 ERA, 0.95 WHIP). Time for the reliever market to open up a bit.
he kept the control beyond 5 years i think - it sounds like sands corp is going to develop a big resort/casino around the arena once gambling gets legalized so that was their incentive (which is similar i guess to what cohen is trying to do, so in a way they kind of stole the cohen model too).
Jon Heyman
@JonHeyman
Reds are among many teams in on Emilio Pagan, who had a nice season in Minnesota (2.99 ERA, 0.95 WHIP). Time for the reliever market to open up a bit.
Homer prone RPer in that ballpark... whatever could go wrong? (and yes, HR's weren't an issue for him in 2023) but 2021+2022 1.99 HR/9, the worst mark in baseball among RP's
it has proven mostly inconsequential and it is so very wilpons that they would hang on to a dying asset bc they like the short term cash flow leveraged by a self serving deal they did.
sports rights continue to increase in value so cohen waiting them out to 2030 is probably something they should be very afraid of because sny is likely worthless at that point (if it even hangs on until then).
@martinonyc
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The Mets are active . In fact they are close to acquiring a player. Not star level but I don’t have the name at present
not sure what padres would do with volpe since they have kim, bogaerts, tatis, machado, so dominguez seems to me like he has to be the obvious centerpiece.
michael king has some value but he is 28 and schmidt isnt far behind at 27. i assume the "and more" would still be at least 1 substantial prospect because that deal may as well be baty, peterson (assuming he was healthy), megill, and in dominguez case he too is coming off injury.
https://www.sny.tv/articles/update-yankees-juan-soto-trade-talks - ( New Window )
Link - ( New Window )
"My totally made-up trade
Carlos Correa and Max Kepler to the Mets for Starling Marte, Tylor Megill and Mark Vientos"
"My totally made-up trade
Carlos Correa and Max Kepler to the Mets for Starling Marte, Tylor Megill and Mark Vientos"
Mets dodged a bullet with the Correa contract, so take it on...
Michael Marino
@MarinoMLB
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Sources: Ohtani sweepstakes are moving along and the Texas Rangers and at least one team in the AL East has dropped out. Teams who feel they aren’t real players are beginning to take themselves out of talks.
@MarinoMLB
Among the teams I have confirmed are still in for MLB Phenom Shohei Ohtani:
Dodgers
Cubs
Blue Jays
Angels
This isn’t an exclusive list, others still remain in. These are just the ones I know are still in the mix.
@MarinoMLB
·
Sources: Starting pitching market is active. Not entirely impossible we see one of the bigger FA arms go in the next day or two. The lefties are drawing a ton of interest, Eduardo Rodriguez and Jordan Montgomery. Some teams wary of waiting out the Yamamoto sweepstakes.
ive seen some suggestions about mets resetting their luxury tax on twitter based on a rosenthal comment, there's basically no way to do that this year, but i need to look at how realistic it would be for next year. it obviously isnt stopping them from going after yamamoto, but i wonder if they did all short term deals other than yamamoto if getting under next year is realistic when the scherzer money is fully gone, along with mccann, quintana, narvaez.
my hunch is no, unless they have numerous of their young guys step up as cheap starter level players this year.
if they need to send houston more money for verlander's option then it becomes harder.
if say vientos steps up and makes alonso expendable, then it becomes easier again. or if they can find some way to dump marte.
but net-net i think it's possible to spend $50m multi-year in the starting rotation and still have wiggle room to stay under luxury tax threshold if they want. if they are a playoff team i doubt it factors in, but if they aren't that's when they may think a reset makes sense. or if there's just nobody they want to spend on.
Jon Heyman
@JonHeyman
Reds are among many teams in on Emilio Pagan, who had a nice season in Minnesota (2.99 ERA, 0.95 WHIP). Time for the reliever market to open up a bit.
Goes to the Reds on a 2 year deal.
@mike_petriello
Pagán is always underrated in my view, and CIN badly needs pitching, so mostly good on this, but an extreme fly-ball guy in that park scares me more than a little
@mike_petriello
Pagán is always underrated in my view, and CIN badly needs pitching, so mostly good on this, but an extreme fly-ball guy in that park scares me more than a little
the hosmer piece of that deal aside since i think they were going to dump him off anyway, the paddack would be nice to have right now too.
who even knows, if they kept hosmer maybe it would have prevented them from the vogelbach trade and losing holderman too.
Héctor Gómez
@hgomez27
BREAKING: Nelson Cruz embraces new role as Los Angeles Dodgers' adviser, per @TenchyRodNYC
.
Héctor Gómez
@hgomez27
BREAKING: Nelson Cruz embraces new role as Los Angeles Dodgers' adviser, per @TenchyRodNYC
.
BREAKING: Mets now stock pop tarts in the clubhouse for players
Héctor Gómez
@hgomez27
RP Luis Perdomo, who pitched this season with the @chibalotte
, will be an official free agent starting tomorrow, after having an excellent 2023 season in Japan, where he pitched in 53 games, with 41 holds and a 2.13 ERA.
Many MLB and Japanese teams are expected to show interest in Perdomo.
He earned $1.8MM in 2023.
- my IFA guy on Guerrero “bad body, big power but don’t love the swing, last name is the carrying tool”
Video of Acosta
Link - ( New Window )
@Ken_Rosenthal
Emilio Pagán deal with Reds, pending physical, source tells @TheAthletic
: Two years, $16M with performance bonuses. Player option after year one. First with agreement: @Feinsand
@JonHeyman
@MarinoMLB
·
Memo to MLB fans. Your team probably wants Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The problem is your friends team also wants Yoshinobu Yamamoto. It’s craziness behind the scenes for him, and the $ might be absolutely absurd. Might be closer to $300M than it is to $200M.
Michael Marino
@MarinoMLB
·
Mets are in on Yamamoto. They love him, for good reason. But I can’t stress enough how many interested suitors there are. Almost feels like teams are scared to be the ones to miss out on him. That leads to chaos, and a boat load of money for Yamamoto.
i think you need to count on Yamamoto as gravy if you get him.
Link - ( New Window )
Quote:
While the exact names are not known, the Padres are said to be looking at top prospects/rookies like Jasson Dominguez and Anthony Volpe, young major league pitchers in the Michael King/Clarke Schmidt category, and more. That is standard behavior at the beginning of trade talks for a superstar player. It was also standard behavior for the Yankees to say no, but want to keep talking.
Quote:
There is virtually no expectation that a team acquiring Soto this winter would be able to sign him to an extension before free agency. Trading for him would be akin to picking up a rental player at the July trade deadline.
not sure what padres would do with volpe since they have kim, bogaerts, tatis, machado, so dominguez seems to me like he has to be the obvious centerpiece.
michael king has some value but he is 28 and schmidt isnt far behind at 27. i assume the "and more" would still be at least 1 substantial prospect because that deal may as well be baty, peterson (assuming he was healthy), megill, and in dominguez case he too is coming off injury. https://www.sny.tv/articles/update-yankees-juan-soto-trade-talks - ( New Window )
Soto is SD's get out of jail free card to makeup for all the resources they used up in search of a win now championship
It feels like the Yankees offer is being used to drive up other teams offers...
Plus the history of Yankee prospects has to leave some level of caution with AJ. Preller.
There has to be better offers.
@AzoulayHaron
Big news regarding the outfielder market: The Rays are shopping OF Randy Arozarena, and there’s a good chance that he is moved, sources tell @MLBNerds
.
he should have done the gibby podcast. missed opportunity.
Maeda 2x12
Lopez 3x10
Maeda 2x12
Lopez 3x10
I wanted Lopez BADLY. He would've been perfect to set up Diaz.
Maeda 2x12
Lopez 3x10
i really hope they make some kind of signing along these lines (and per martino it sounds like they may).
here's 1 theory we can track though in terms of why things may be slow, it may very well be that they aren't looking to go halfway this offseason.
they may either be all in on certain long term guys (yamamoto, montgomery, ohtani etc).
and if not then only want 1 year deals even if they are inflated AAV so they can preserve the option to reset lux tax next year.
both of those groups are harder to leverage quickly than a middle road contract that's going to be harder for a middle of the road player to pass up (fearing the market leaving them out in the cold).