While I was at my daughter’s Christmas concert, the Mets decided to give me a Christmas present, too, as they re-signed Brandon Nimmo to an 8/$162 deal. He didn’t get the AAV that I expected but he more than makes up for that with the number of years. The Mets said that Edwin Diaz and Nimmo were their top priorities and now they have both stars for the foreseeable future.
While there were a bunch of different ways the Mets could go to fill their holes in both SP and RP, there really wasn’t another decent option to sign to replace Nimmo in CF. The team talked a good game about moving Starling Marte back to center but it’s difficult to believe they would have done that on anything but a temporary basis. Now they don’t have to jump thru any hoops to come up with a workable solution.
And if that wasn’t enough, the Mets went on to grab David Robertson to be Diaz’ setup man, inking the veteran to a 1/$10 deal. After pitching just 18.2 innings over the previous three seasons, Robertson posted a 2.23 ERA and a 1.041 WHIP in 63.2 IP last year, split between the Cubs and Phillies. Robertson also had a nice postseason, including four scoreless innings with five strikeouts in the World Series.
The dance card is full.
Verlander SP2, Quintana SP3, Carrasco SP4, Peterson SP5
Diaz Closer , Raley LHP and Robertson RHP are the set-up men, Megill long relief
Nimmo CF, Alvarez C/ RHB DH
Eppler has put together a team that can win the division. Nice job.
This ain’t the Wilpon Mets anymore.
Not the Wilpon Mets – aint that the truth!
I’ve always looked at it like Monopoly money. But the way the Mets are operating this year with a bottomless check book is just crazy to me. Martino reports they’re still in on Senga, too.
I’m very happy Nimmo is back.
Agreed Brian. Its time Mets fans just stop worrying about money. We dont control it. Theres plenty. Were in a competitive division with people that can spend. We are not hostage to Wilponian smoke and mirrors.
I think the pretax payroll will be in the 340 range, making the final bill in the 380 range.
So much for 300M$ ought to by a good team. Sure, but not when you have 8 FAs!
Sorry Metsense, I dont believe for a moment the off season is done. The pitching is still not sufficient, and Id still like to see a power bat.
They aren’t getting a power bat . . . now.
I’d love to see them sign a quality 4th outfielder. Broken record, I know.
I certainly am glad that Nimmo is back, and it also gives us a pretty good indication that Alonso (and perhaps McNeil); will be extended by next year. Now I’d be surprised if the Mets didn’t get Senga to be their #3 SP, luxury tax penalty be damn!
My only quibble is regarding Megill, and the thought of having him in the bullpen. In theory, it sounds like a good idea, but in the small samples we’ve seen, it hasn’t worked out, has it? My thought are that he’ll be part of a trade package to fill in any last minute missing parts by the start of ST. I also see Ruff and McCann and at least some of their salary being ditched also.
And if we do get Senga, would the Mets really trade Carrasco and his 14M?
Moneyball with money. Finally.
Glad about both Nimmo & Robertson.
They certainly aren’t shy about raising expectations on Segna, either. I say, yes please.
I wonder if Ottavino is now out. Watch Phils grab him.
I still think they need a bat with thump, but the landscape isn’t revealing that guy at this time. Certainly Ohtani fills that bill . . . down the road.
Still need another starter, a #3, and more bullpen help.
I always took issue w/ 360 that you never wanted, liked, and actually disliked any conversation about the Wilpons. And I always felt, well, it was only everything. I get that a constant whine gets old, but it all starts with the owner. We’re obviously experiencing that now from the other end of the telescope.
Nimmo as a lifelong Met, a guy who can move to LF eventually, and possibly hit from more power as he ages. He’s got the frame if not, at this point, the approach. It feels like switch that could flip one day, where’s he’s suddenly a 25-30 HR guy.
The problem w/ losing Nimmo was that he had become the poster boy for the Mets “grind it out” approach. A guy who never gave away an AB, always 100% effort, did everything well & will focus and intention. And we’ve seen him step up in the clubhouse spokesman role, lifting the burden from Lindor (who gives awful interviews), representing the orange & blue well. Losing him would have been losing a significant piece of the Mets team identity. There are a million ways to skin the cat, but I’m glad he’s ours.
The issue I had was not talking about money. The issue was when people turned every single thing to a discussion about money. My overwhelming preference is to keep all articles on topic. If I write about pulling the ball, I dont want the comments to talk about money.
Now, sometimes, comments can logically transition to other topics. But when people came with an agenda to turn every article into a discussion about payroll, well, that was simply too much.
FWIW, I’m in the middle of an article about payroll now, which should be published late this morning.