Let's talk. . Bryce Harper??

[Mex17]

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.

This is the stretch of all stretches. Not expecting it to happen but can you imagine the waves that it would cause?

https://www.sny.tv/mets/news/mets-reportedly-havent-ruled-out-run-at-free-agent-bryce-harper/301038086

[Mex17]

Try this out for size. . .

Sign Harper.
Sign Grandal.
Syndergaard for Springer.
Nimmo and Conforto for Kluber.

[smg58]

The major selling point for Harper is that his 2015 season was pretty unique. The major knock on Harper is that his 2015 season was pretty unique.

Somebody is going to shoot the moon expecting Harper to perform somewhere close to 2015 four or five times in the next ten years. It's not a good bet.

The biggest mistake the Mets made last season was to make their biggest investment a left-handed corner outfielder they didn't actually need. Harper is obviously not Bruce, but accommodating him would require a convoluted chain of additional deals like what you just mentioned. And it's worth pointing out that Brandon Nimmo was the better player last season.

Machado, at third base at least, makes an awful lot of sense if you're willing to spend that kind of money -- that would only require a taker for Frazier. A front-loaded deal with a player option for Donaldson would also make sense, if the bidding on Machado exceeds a reasonable amount. Harper? He's not Machado. He's not really close, to be honest. He's the kind of trap you want the Phillies or the Yankees to fall into.

Edited November 23, 2018 by Guest

[MFS62]

Mex17 wrote: Try this out for size. . . Sign Harper. Sign Grandal. Syndergaard for Springer. Nimmo and Conforto for Kluber.

If you keep either Nimmo or Conforto and add something else to that deal to ger Kluber, I'd be happy with the bottom three deals and not go after Harper. I really like Springer and would make acquiring him one of my top priorities if I were the GM.

Nice start of a plan.
Later

[RealityChuck]

1. He's going to be far too expensive.
2. He's a left-handed power hitter. The team has plenty of those (maybe not as good). We need right-handed power hitters.
3. He's a dick. Punching out a teammate in the dugout? We don't need that.

[HahnSolo]

Well, I mean, it was Papelbon.

[Frayed Knot]

And Papelbon pretty much started it ... at least the physical part of the altercation. We can only imagine what was said leading up to it.

[Centerfield]

And he’s well liked by all teammates not named Papelbon and everyone pretty much agreed afterward that it was Papelbon’s fault.

There is no reason not to pursue Harper. He is a franchise changing signing. This is like Piazza or Beltran. Except this time we actually have pitching to back it up.

The only reason not to do it is money. Anyway. Someone else will sign him. And someone else will sign Machado. And the teams that spend wisely will win and make the post season and we will sit there under .500 with a 23rd ranked offense.

Let’s get Martin Maldonado. Or trade Syndergaard. Things have been working so well for us.

[Lefty Specialist]

Even if I wanted him, Bryce Harper isn't coming here. Not even worth discussing.

[batmagadanleadoff]

We always find something, eh Didi, to give us the impression we exist?

[Centerfield]

Lefty Specialist wrote: Even if I wanted him, Bryce Harper isn't coming here. Not even worth discussing.

Has he said something?

I’ve never heard him say a bad word about NY.

[Edgy MD]

Centerfield wrote: And he’s well liked by all teammates not named Papelbon and everyone pretty much agreed afterward that it was Papelbon’s fault.

I'm calling NO HUH-Way on the first part, though it's probably less worthy of being a deciding factor than your team's own assessment of him.

As for the second part, true enough, though I tend to think it was also Matt Williams' fault.

[ashie62]

300 million dollars and a dream lol

You just never know about this stuff

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I would not complain if the Mets wound up with this douchebag. they would have to find a way to make it work somehow

[batmagadanleadoff]

RealityChuck wrote: 1. 2. He's a left-handed power hitter...

So was Babe Ruth.

[Centerfield]

Edgy MD wrote: Centerfield wrote: And he’s well liked by all teammates not named Papelbon and everyone pretty much agreed afterward that it was Papelbon’s fault. I'm calling NO HUH-Way on the first part, though it's probably less worthy of being a deciding factor than your team's own assessment of him. As for the second part, true enough, though I tend to think it was also Matt Williams' fault.

Have you heard of an instance where it was documented that he was not well liked? There isn’t a lot out there, but the general sense I got was that he comes across as a dick but he’s a good teammate and the guys that play with him think he’s misunderstood. There was an article a few years ago about how he and Scherzer were BFFs and that their handshake even includes a mock of the Papelbon choke. I would guess that if his teammates were on Papelbons side, this would not play well.

[Centerfield]

The reason Kelenic was expendable, is because Michael Conforto is going to man one corner OF position for the next 10 years, and Bryce Harper will man the other.

Duh.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I haven't put it past Brodie to reel in this douchebag yet, and I hafta say, if they could do it they probably should

[Benjamin Grimm]

They'd be very left-handed though, but I suppose another roster move or two could take care of that.

[Centerfield]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: They'd be very left-handed though, but I suppose another roster move or two could take care of that.

Did I forget to mention McNeil and Nimmo have been traded for Kluber? McNeil was expendable after we signed Machado.

[Edgy MD]

Man, Cano and Harper. Might as well resign Harvey.

THE 2019 NEW YORK METS:
WE WENT FULL DOUCHEBAG

[Centerfield]

I go back to my theory on Bryce Harper.

The guy looks like a douchebag, and he has douchebag hair, but I haven't seen anything or read anything that suggests he actually is a douchebag.

In fact, all of the quotes I've read about him suggest that he's actually a pretty decent guy. I remember how gracious he was in 2015 after the Mets won the division.

I'm ok to give him the benefit of the doubt, but understand if others don't. I mean, I get it. That hair.

[Lefty Specialist]

Yeah, the hair's a deal-killer for me.

[dgwphotography]

Centerfield wrote: I go back to my theory on Bryce Harper. The guy looks like a douchebag, and he has douchebag hair, but I haven't seen anything or read anything that suggests he actually is a douchebag. In fact, all of the quotes I've read about him suggest that he's actually a pretty decent guy. I remember how gracious he was in 2015 after the Mets won the division. I'm ok to give him the benefit of the doubt, but understand if others don't. I mean, I get it. That hair.

I always got the feeling that he is this generation's Chipper - he loves playing the villain, but does so with a wink to let us know he's in on the joke.

[Guest 41Forever]

I don't know if he's a total DB. Some nice stories about him.

https://www.mlb.com/cut4/bryce-harper-signs-baseball-for-fan-fan-is-very-happy/c-138333800




He seems to grasp this role as a star and what that means to fans. Maybe not the full Granderson, but we could sure do worse.

[Edgy MD]

Slams his equipment, whines constantly to and baits umpires, has hurt his team with his refusal to hustle, has gotten benched for not hustling, coming back and really knocking everybody out with a few plays that show how good he can be at 100%, only to go back into low gear before the week is out, and

. Kids who are just like yours!

No doubt that part of that is playing the heel. But I think a bigger part of that is clearly being a heel.

[seawolf17]

dgwphotography wrote: Centerfield wrote: I go back to my theory on Bryce Harper. The guy looks like a douchebag, and he has douchebag hair, but I haven't seen anything or read anything that suggests he actually is a douchebag. In fact, all of the quotes I've read about him suggest that he's actually a pretty decent guy. I remember how gracious he was in 2015 after the Mets won the division. I'm ok to give him the benefit of the doubt, but understand if others don't. I mean, I get it. That hair. I always got the feeling that he is this generation's Chipper - he loves playing the villain, but does so with a wink to let us know he's in on the joke.

41Forever wrote: I don't know if he's a total DB. Some nice stories about him. https://www.mlb.com/cut4/bryce-harper-signs-baseball-for-fan-fan-is-very-happy/c-138333800 He seems to grasp this role as a star and what that means to fans. Maybe not the full Granderson, but we could sure do worse.

DAMMIT CPF DON'T MAKE ME LIKE THIS GUY

Edgy MD wrote: Slams his equipment, whines constantly to and baits umpires, has hurt his team with his refusal to hustle, has gotten benched for not hustling, coming back and really knocking everybody out with a few plays that show how good he can be at 100%, only to go back into low gear before the week is out, and loves to fuck with kids. Kids who are just like yours! No doubt that part of that is playing the heel. But I think a bigger part of that is clearly being a heel.

Whew. That's better. Thanks, Edge.

[Benjamin Grimm]

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

dgwphotography wrote: I always got the feeling that he is this generation's Chipper - he loves playing the villain, but does so with a wink to let us know he's in on the joke.

I tend to agree. He also probably is a bit of a real douchebag, as jocks can be. That said to me he's easier to root for than Cano.

I wonder if he'd like to be our first baseman, then you could trade Alonso and Smith (and throw in Frazier and Matz for the fun of it)