Mets Roundup, Oct 19: Rojas' Winter League, Bichette's Opt-In, Stearns' Impact

[Grand Central Mets]

Here is some of the latest Mets analysis and history from around the internet. The roundup covers Jefferson Rojas' power surge, Bo Bichette's opt-in decision, David Stearns' performance, Brooks Raley's trade, Kodai Senga's role change, and a defensive error in the 1973 World Series.

• Mets top-ranked prospect carries power surge into Winter League competition (MLB.com). Notes that Mets top-ranked prospect Jefferson Rojas continued his power surge in the Winter League, hitting two home runs in his second game for Gigantes del Cibao, following a regular season in which he hit 27 homers, 93 RBIs, and slashed .274/.338/.505 in 126 games.
• Stay or go? Breaking down Bichette's upcoming opt-in decision (MLB.com). Breaks down Bo Bichette's decision to opt in or out of his contract, noting his belief in the Mets' future, his wife's preference for New York, and the financial implications, including his $42 million AAV ranking sixth-highest in MLB history.
• NY Mets Monday Morning GM: Brewers World Series trip barely buys David Stearns vindication (Rising Apple). Notes that David Stearns' success with the Brewers in reaching the 2026 World Series offers limited insight into his impact on the Mets, citing missed free-agent signings, failed trades, and the slow development of young players like Brice Turang and Jackson Chourio.
• The Mets got everything they could from Brooks Raley (Amazin' Avenue). Notes that Brooks Raley's strong 2026 performance with the Mets was unsustainable, as his 2.45 ERA over 41.1 innings masked weak contact and unremarkable strikeout rates, leading to a 7.94 ERA after being traded to the Phillies, but the Mets acquired prospects John Spikerman and Luke Gabrysh in return.
• Kodai Senga was good as a reliever, but had an atrocious road to the bullpen (Amazin' Avenue). Argues that Kodai Senga's 2026 season was a disaster as a starter, with a 7.34 ERA, but his performance improved significantly in the bullpen, where he posted a 2.05 ERA in 30.3 innings, showing potential as a closer.
• How a rare defensive lapse cost the NY Mets a World Series (Rising Apple). Looks back at the 1973 World Series, arguing that Jerry Grote's passed ball in Game 3 cost the Mets the game, with key evidence including the context of Seaver's performance, Bench's comment on Grote's defense, and the unearned run that led to Oakland's victory.