A balanced National League will present challenges for the Mets

The 2016 National League is sharply divided between haves and have nots. Six teams, two in each division, are in rebuilding mode, stripped bare of quality veterans, save a few overpaid, untradeable ones. The other nine, three in each division, are talented enough to compete for one of the five playoff spots. The have nots [...]

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For the Mets, these are different times

There was a press conference yesterday, at which new/returning Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes appeared in the flesh – rather than as a disembodied voice from a Charlie’s Angels-style speaker box. Many in the fan base thought this was not going to happen. Actually, any of it: few thought Cespedes would return at all, and when [...]

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Mets Card of the Week: Mystery Met XV

Damn. This young Mets hopeful has so much chaw in his cheek that he can't even keep his hat on straight. Identify this fan of the cut plug and you will be rewarded with a small haul from the Card of the Week archives.   A short personal note: I'm going to be taking an [...]

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Mets GM Sandy Alderson: Good, lucky, or both?

"Luck is the residue of design." - Branch Rickey This is a very good time to be a fan of the New York Mets.  After all the team won the National League championship and has just topped off the offseason with the signing of big thumper Yoenis Cespedes making them somewhat of a favorite to [...]

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The second baseman merry-go-round featuring Neil Walker

It was pretty evident from the beginning of this season that the Mets were not committed to offering Daniel Murphy a long-term deal, and were set on parting ways after this year. After an explosive playoffs, the organization offered their second baseman a qualifying offer, which Murphy did not sign, and elected to become a [...]

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Craig Edwards on the expected revenue bump for the Mets

In all, the Mets are figuring on a 500,000 increase in attendance. Using the same factors from above, and adding an extra 4% for ticket price increases, it would appear as though the Mets could reasonably expected to earn another $21 million in ticket sales. Adding in increased money for sponsorships and money for concessions [...]

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Giving context to the Mets’ pre-2015 poor play

The Mets had an unexpected World Series appearance last year, the team seems to have a solid shot at back-to-back playoff appearances and generally speaking, most fans right now are pretty optimistic. As they should be. However, it seems like there’s something bubbling right below the surface. Let’s call it entitlement. Sure, the Mets had [...]

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Brandon Nimmo, Wuilmer Becerra, and the Mets’ future in right field

The reporting date for Mets pitchers and catchers is less than a month away. Can you believe it? The team is fresh off a World Series appearance, the elite rotation is a year older and wiser, and they got their man in re-signing Yoenis Cespedes to bolster the lineup. Things are looking good for the [...]

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The Mets’ farm system is falling behind

Atlanta Braves Miami Marlins New York Mets Philadelphia Phillies Washington Nationals #27 Danby Swanson, SS   #9 Steven Matz, LHP #4 J.P. Crawford, SS #3 Lucas Giolito, RHP #32 Sean Newcomb, LHP   #86 Dominic Smith, 1B #25 Nick Williams, OF #13 Trea Turner, SS #37 Ozhaino Albies, SS   #96 Amed Rosario, SS #34 [...]

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DH strikes out with NL clubs

That which separates the National League from the American League threatened to evaporate last week. Fortunately, that has not happened. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed changes to improve offense are likely coming after adjustments for pace-of-game issues. He’s considering serious changes like outlawing shifts, lowering pitching mounds and tweaking the ball to make it fly [...]

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