This was a nice change of pace. Enjoyed it very much.
Ive been saying it since last year ended, 2026 is going to be a special year for this franchise. Imagine a pitching staff with Christian Scott, Brandon Sproat, Jonah Tong, Nolan McLean. Future is bright.
Imagine that they are guys who take the ball every 5th day, and pitch into the 7th, 8th, once in a while 9th. If it’s only 4-5 innings, what’s the difference?
Nice write up but he doesn’t mention the team in LA which seemingly does the same thing but also has a Japanese pipeline of the elite players from there so how does that compare? San Diego might not be the third best team in their division plus the owner who would spend money is dead. I’m happy the Mets have finally turned the corner and it’s Uncle Steve who has invested billions to make this an organization that A) Free agents want to come to ( that was not the case for a very long time) B) the people who have the eye to evaluate talent and coach it out of them and C) the technology that pitchers are looking at to get them their next payday. We all aren’t that excited when the team signs these pitchers “with hope” they turn around their fledgling careers and with a year plus now of seeing it done (Manaea,Sevy) is it repeatable? We don’t know but if it is then the Mets are on to something and we will see. I do want homegrown players dotting the roster though. Building stars creates a stronger bond between player and fans. How much did we love David? How about Nimmo now? Go back to Seaver or Doc or Straw. Doc and Straw were drug addicts and killed their careers playing for the Mets yet their numbers are up in the rafters and are members of the Mets hall of Fame. That doesn’t happen if they came as free agents no matter what they did for the Mets. Look at Vientos and how quickly he became a fan favorite. Pete will forever be a Met no matter where goes after this year. I’m surely forgetting many forever Mets but the I’m all for more coming up and starring for us. In fact I don’t want Vladdy for 500mil. next year. If that blocks another kid from coming up and being a star for us. Idk. Just my thoughts if anyone cares to read this far. 2 MORE DAYS!! LGM!
Author here, I agree with almost all of what you had to say. Didn’t bring up the dodgers, truly not sure why, but I didn’t feel like they were necessary. Sure, they are the gold standard, but it just didn’t seem relevant as I merely used teams with flaws to show what it looks like.
I respect your sentiment about rather having homegrown players. However, it is pretty undeniable how valuable bringing proven MLB talent can be. I believe the Mets will have a really strong mix. They will have a good core of homegrown players with free agents to accent their roster and fill the gaps
As a pitcher, I prefer to stay in my lane and leave hitter evaluation to hitters, but I am pretty excited about Jett Williams (for whatever that’s worth)
In regards to the Mets signing players “with hope” I disagree because I view it more as they’re signing “with a plan” to make them better.
Wow, didn’t think you’d read let alone care what some fan said let alone a nobody who hasn’t played baseball since he was 12. lol. I appreciate the feedback as I follow sports like a nut and like to comment as I see things. It’s nice to know I have a little insight to what’s going on for a Major League Baseball team and I’m not just talking outta my ass. I don’t wish to live in some fantasy land when I discuss sports. I try to stay in my lane and not believe I have real insight about the inter-workings of any pro or college team for that matter. I read plenty about the sports that interest me and even more about my favorite teams. It’s great to see the Mets have turned around the organization as I’ve waited over 40 years for this to happen. I’d guess most of us Mets fans have uttered why can’t this team win on a consistent basis? Well, the Wilsons for one was the major issue especially after they were ripped off by Madoff. We have celebrated the “magical” years of just making the playoffs as they were almost fleeting. It’s hard to turn that switch off and thinking we are pinching penny’s when we are able to buy “better” talent especially when it comes to the pitching staff. I try not to get too high of hopes as long suffering Mets fans can attest to the “anything that can go wrong” has always applied to this organization. I do feel we have a team that will hit for sure and if you say that “there’s a plan” for these guys I’m on board and will of course hope for success as that should mean a long run. Thank you for responding and I appreciate the notes. I find it really cool.
John, thanks for the insightful review of the Mets. I’ve been a fan for 63 seasons and am grateful to read an optimistic report. It’s not a natural viewpoint from all Mets fans fans.
I do agree with the evaluation of not only the players mentioned, but also the other thing that me smile when thinking short or long term are David Sterns and Carlos Menendez. Their approach and leadership will guide this team forward like we’ve never seen before.
Could not agree more that they (finally) seem to check all the boxes as an organization.
Since taking over, Cohen has improved every element of the org - it really is incredible. Top to bottom, everything.
And from his time in Milwaukee to year one here, I could not be more confident in the front office than I am currently with Stearns leading the way. After 2023, I looked at 2026 as the year Stearns would have things looking really great organizationally and 2027 being the year where everyone says, "holy shit, they have everything they need and then some." I think (hope) that if things continue to progress and guys continue to develop, the potential for something great in 2025 exists and 2026 will be the holy shit year.
This was a nice change of pace. Enjoyed it very much.
Ive been saying it since last year ended, 2026 is going to be a special year for this franchise. Imagine a pitching staff with Christian Scott, Brandon Sproat, Jonah Tong, Nolan McLean. Future is bright.
Imagine that they are guys who take the ball every 5th day, and pitch into the 7th, 8th, once in a while 9th. If it’s only 4-5 innings, what’s the difference?
Nice write up but he doesn’t mention the team in LA which seemingly does the same thing but also has a Japanese pipeline of the elite players from there so how does that compare? San Diego might not be the third best team in their division plus the owner who would spend money is dead. I’m happy the Mets have finally turned the corner and it’s Uncle Steve who has invested billions to make this an organization that A) Free agents want to come to ( that was not the case for a very long time) B) the people who have the eye to evaluate talent and coach it out of them and C) the technology that pitchers are looking at to get them their next payday. We all aren’t that excited when the team signs these pitchers “with hope” they turn around their fledgling careers and with a year plus now of seeing it done (Manaea,Sevy) is it repeatable? We don’t know but if it is then the Mets are on to something and we will see. I do want homegrown players dotting the roster though. Building stars creates a stronger bond between player and fans. How much did we love David? How about Nimmo now? Go back to Seaver or Doc or Straw. Doc and Straw were drug addicts and killed their careers playing for the Mets yet their numbers are up in the rafters and are members of the Mets hall of Fame. That doesn’t happen if they came as free agents no matter what they did for the Mets. Look at Vientos and how quickly he became a fan favorite. Pete will forever be a Met no matter where goes after this year. I’m surely forgetting many forever Mets but the I’m all for more coming up and starring for us. In fact I don’t want Vladdy for 500mil. next year. If that blocks another kid from coming up and being a star for us. Idk. Just my thoughts if anyone cares to read this far. 2 MORE DAYS!! LGM!
Author here, I agree with almost all of what you had to say. Didn’t bring up the dodgers, truly not sure why, but I didn’t feel like they were necessary. Sure, they are the gold standard, but it just didn’t seem relevant as I merely used teams with flaws to show what it looks like.
I respect your sentiment about rather having homegrown players. However, it is pretty undeniable how valuable bringing proven MLB talent can be. I believe the Mets will have a really strong mix. They will have a good core of homegrown players with free agents to accent their roster and fill the gaps
As a pitcher, I prefer to stay in my lane and leave hitter evaluation to hitters, but I am pretty excited about Jett Williams (for whatever that’s worth)
In regards to the Mets signing players “with hope” I disagree because I view it more as they’re signing “with a plan” to make them better.
Thanks for reading!
Wow, didn’t think you’d read let alone care what some fan said let alone a nobody who hasn’t played baseball since he was 12. lol. I appreciate the feedback as I follow sports like a nut and like to comment as I see things. It’s nice to know I have a little insight to what’s going on for a Major League Baseball team and I’m not just talking outta my ass. I don’t wish to live in some fantasy land when I discuss sports. I try to stay in my lane and not believe I have real insight about the inter-workings of any pro or college team for that matter. I read plenty about the sports that interest me and even more about my favorite teams. It’s great to see the Mets have turned around the organization as I’ve waited over 40 years for this to happen. I’d guess most of us Mets fans have uttered why can’t this team win on a consistent basis? Well, the Wilsons for one was the major issue especially after they were ripped off by Madoff. We have celebrated the “magical” years of just making the playoffs as they were almost fleeting. It’s hard to turn that switch off and thinking we are pinching penny’s when we are able to buy “better” talent especially when it comes to the pitching staff. I try not to get too high of hopes as long suffering Mets fans can attest to the “anything that can go wrong” has always applied to this organization. I do feel we have a team that will hit for sure and if you say that “there’s a plan” for these guys I’m on board and will of course hope for success as that should mean a long run. Thank you for responding and I appreciate the notes. I find it really cool.
They most certainly have a plan! And it is a good plan!
However, that is far from me saying it will work for canning, or anyone else! But the early signs are there
It would be great to see Canning do well here.
Agree, seasoned player ready to really break out!
Another thing about Tong: Last year he was whiffing hitters with a fastball at 94-95. This spring he’s been up to 99
Absolutely! Hope to see the velo stick into the season! Will likely dip if he starts in Binghamton because of the cold
John, thanks for the insightful review of the Mets. I’ve been a fan for 63 seasons and am grateful to read an optimistic report. It’s not a natural viewpoint from all Mets fans fans.
I do agree with the evaluation of not only the players mentioned, but also the other thing that me smile when thinking short or long term are David Sterns and Carlos Menendez. Their approach and leadership will guide this team forward like we’ve never seen before.
Thanks again!
Of course! My innocence to being hurt by the team allows me to be more optimistic! Glad you enjoyed
Awesome read. Thanks, John.
Could not agree more that they (finally) seem to check all the boxes as an organization.
Since taking over, Cohen has improved every element of the org - it really is incredible. Top to bottom, everything.
And from his time in Milwaukee to year one here, I could not be more confident in the front office than I am currently with Stearns leading the way. After 2023, I looked at 2026 as the year Stearns would have things looking really great organizationally and 2027 being the year where everyone says, "holy shit, they have everything they need and then some." I think (hope) that if things continue to progress and guys continue to develop, the potential for something great in 2025 exists and 2026 will be the holy shit year.
Thanks again for the great read.
Great write up John - good to read from outside perception.
Thank you🤝🤝
The beginning of Tong's windup reminds me of Jake.
Nice to see them building up the entire system.