How will David Stearns view luck when it comes to signing free agents?

For the most part, fans don’t want to admit how much luck – or good fortune if the word luck annoys you – plays in the game. My opinion is that players and front offices have a better understanding of that. Here’s a snippet of an interview with Taylor Tankersley, a veteran reliever that the [...]

How much do the Mets need to add to their roster to entice Juan Soto?

The Mets’ Juan Soto pursuit took its next step, with a contingent including the manager, PoBO and owner meeting with Soto and agent Scott Boras. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the meeting took place “at an undisclosed location somewhere near Newport Beach, Calif., in a very clandestine manner.” Two things to [...]

Riding the roller coaster on Jett Williams

Anyone who’s read this site for awhile knows you’ll get strong opinions on players from me. But those opinions aren’t written in stone. Two offseasons ago, the Mets acquired Tommy Pham and immediately my opinion formed that he wasn’t any good. Yet, his play eventually demanded that opinion of mine to change, so much so [...]

Luis Severino and the debate about extending the QO and his ultimate decision

The Mets extended the Qualifying Offer (QO) to three players – Pete Alonso, Sean Manaea and Luis Severino. Since there were only 13 players in all of MLB to receive the QO, this seems like a notable thing. The players have until 4 p.m. Eastern on Nov. 19 to make their decision. Two of them [...]

Mets potentially have another free agent pitcher to pursue: Gerrit Cole

With three starting pitchers who are now free agents and the Mets at least somewhat likely to use a 6-man rotation for Kodai Senga, the Mets need starters. It’s likely that at least one of the free agents returns for 2025. After that – who knows? The rumors have surrounded Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, [...]

Estimates and tender decisions for the Mets’ eight arbitration-eligible players

In addition to all of the free agents the Mets have, the team also has eight players eligible for arbitration. MLB Trade Rumors has published its estimates for what salary the players would receive. Let’s use that and discuss all eight players and if the Mets should tender them a contract at that price point. [...]

Examining Sean Manaea’s deal last year for clues how to operate in the future

Nearly everyone wants the Mets to bring back Sean Manaea, who they signed last year to a one-year deal with a player option, one which he’ll officially decline as soon as he’s able. Much like with Pete Alonso, it’s fine to want a guy back. But there has to be a point, either in years [...]

How much did David Stearns’ additions contribute to the Mets’ 89 wins?

In my recent 2024 grades column, Mets PoBO David Stearns received a B+ from me, which I thought was an aggressive grade. The piece closed with this bit – “In a way, the grades for Mendoza and Stearns were handled with kid-gloves. With a full – successful! – season under their belts, they’ll both be [...]