And obviously “a 37 yr old pitcher” is a ridiculous understatement, but with DeGrom’s health concerns, I’m not sure if I’d rather have two really good, young, presumably healthy starters than one aging otherworldly starter. All that said, Scherzer rules.
Ha, that's funny. I love the signing. I am actually more curious about Baez, surprised that he signed w/ Tigers for only 6/$140. I would have thought the Mets would have gone for that, especially after giving up a 1st round pick for him last season. Probably not a happy day for Lindor. But maybe there's a message there, too. I don't love the starting 8, there's still work to do, and a lot of options. I think they need an everyday 2B with a plus-glove. And that would likely happen via trade. Last year, Kolton Wong signed for 2/$18 with Brewers. That kind of player, and that kind of contract, would work. I wonder about Frazier who flopped with Padres. They have some excess talent there. Love Marte -- I wanted him for years -- and that's a good contract (think: Granderson). They still need a quality 4th OF. Dom to me is useless. I still like JD Davis, but I'd be willing to flip him. And I just feel like the Jeff McNeil rift with Lindor is not fixable. By passing on Baez, it might show that they are prioritizing pitching. I also think that a guy like Bryant -- a 3B/OF -- remains an option (though I see him staying in SF). By passing on Baez, there's not a lot of options available, some of them very low cost. Too many for me to figure. I also think that Vientos will play some 3B for us in 2022 if he doesn't get included in a deal. I like him a lot. On Escobar, I love the reports that he's the best clubhouse guy ever. All these moves, so far, strike me as well targeted to addresses specific areas of weakness. That said: Is this even a WC team? I'm not ready to say that yet. Going into this off-season, my strong feeling was: 1) Back up the truck, this team needs a makeover; and 2) The only way this team competes in 2022 is by spending a ton of money. So they seem to be in agreement with that assessment. Glad, also, that they are unwilling to give up future draft picks. So, short-term: spend, spend, spend because there was no other way out of the problem. Long-term: invest in international signings, build a great farm system (Sandy an abysmal failure in that department), build a first-rate management team (Sandy, again, a total disaster in that department: no heir-apparent, no up-and-coming young execs in our system). We got Max. Now I think we can fill in with bargain free agents and trades. The bullpen is not nearly good enough right now (though I like Megill in that role).
CORRECTION: Meant to say that by passing on Baez, there are now a LOT of options available. A head-spinning amount. And one other thing to ponder: the defense in LF just went from Dom Smith -- a total butcher out there -- to Brandon Nimmo, a plus left fielder. Extend him now.
..."maybe there is a message there..." There is and I think one interpretation is that Lindor cannot goad management into bringing his best friend here. As you say, money wasn't the issue. Perhaps the Mets passed on Javy's "competitive juices?" Thought he didn't fit in? Maybe they're forcing Lindor to fall in love McNeil whether he likes it or not? | I like the comparison to Granderson. Solid, steady, all-around player who is a positive in the clubhouse. What today's players call "classy." | Yes, the Mets have had a beauty makeover. I personally love throwing money at a problem. Max Scherzer is going to delight us and I can't wait. | As for the Mets being a WC team, it all depends on if the crazy proposal about 14 teams in the playoffs makes the CBA | I missed your assessments, Jimmy; I'm glad we are both pleased that the Mets are taking big steps in the right direction | All the people whining about Steve Cohen need to collectively apologize to him.
I’m torn between being excited and thinking that for a few million more, we could have signed Stroman and Robbie Ray instead of a 37 yr old pitcher.
And obviously “a 37 yr old pitcher” is a ridiculous understatement, but with DeGrom’s health concerns, I’m not sure if I’d rather have two really good, young, presumably healthy starters than one aging otherworldly starter. All that said, Scherzer rules.
Thanks for a great column, MetsFix. It is so much fun being a Mets' fan this week. Being the talk of the town is wonderful.
What a image to leave us with ! LGM !!!!
I’m elated but I want to know WDJT: what does Jimmy think??
Ha, that's funny. I love the signing. I am actually more curious about Baez, surprised that he signed w/ Tigers for only 6/$140. I would have thought the Mets would have gone for that, especially after giving up a 1st round pick for him last season. Probably not a happy day for Lindor. But maybe there's a message there, too. I don't love the starting 8, there's still work to do, and a lot of options. I think they need an everyday 2B with a plus-glove. And that would likely happen via trade. Last year, Kolton Wong signed for 2/$18 with Brewers. That kind of player, and that kind of contract, would work. I wonder about Frazier who flopped with Padres. They have some excess talent there. Love Marte -- I wanted him for years -- and that's a good contract (think: Granderson). They still need a quality 4th OF. Dom to me is useless. I still like JD Davis, but I'd be willing to flip him. And I just feel like the Jeff McNeil rift with Lindor is not fixable. By passing on Baez, it might show that they are prioritizing pitching. I also think that a guy like Bryant -- a 3B/OF -- remains an option (though I see him staying in SF). By passing on Baez, there's not a lot of options available, some of them very low cost. Too many for me to figure. I also think that Vientos will play some 3B for us in 2022 if he doesn't get included in a deal. I like him a lot. On Escobar, I love the reports that he's the best clubhouse guy ever. All these moves, so far, strike me as well targeted to addresses specific areas of weakness. That said: Is this even a WC team? I'm not ready to say that yet. Going into this off-season, my strong feeling was: 1) Back up the truck, this team needs a makeover; and 2) The only way this team competes in 2022 is by spending a ton of money. So they seem to be in agreement with that assessment. Glad, also, that they are unwilling to give up future draft picks. So, short-term: spend, spend, spend because there was no other way out of the problem. Long-term: invest in international signings, build a great farm system (Sandy an abysmal failure in that department), build a first-rate management team (Sandy, again, a total disaster in that department: no heir-apparent, no up-and-coming young execs in our system). We got Max. Now I think we can fill in with bargain free agents and trades. The bullpen is not nearly good enough right now (though I like Megill in that role).
CORRECTION: Meant to say that by passing on Baez, there are now a LOT of options available. A head-spinning amount. And one other thing to ponder: the defense in LF just went from Dom Smith -- a total butcher out there -- to Brandon Nimmo, a plus left fielder. Extend him now.
Knew what you meant anyway.
..."maybe there is a message there..." There is and I think one interpretation is that Lindor cannot goad management into bringing his best friend here. As you say, money wasn't the issue. Perhaps the Mets passed on Javy's "competitive juices?" Thought he didn't fit in? Maybe they're forcing Lindor to fall in love McNeil whether he likes it or not? | I like the comparison to Granderson. Solid, steady, all-around player who is a positive in the clubhouse. What today's players call "classy." | Yes, the Mets have had a beauty makeover. I personally love throwing money at a problem. Max Scherzer is going to delight us and I can't wait. | As for the Mets being a WC team, it all depends on if the crazy proposal about 14 teams in the playoffs makes the CBA | I missed your assessments, Jimmy; I'm glad we are both pleased that the Mets are taking big steps in the right direction | All the people whining about Steve Cohen need to collectively apologize to him.