Now what

[Centerfield]

Cody Bellinger is inconsistent. And his ceiling is not nearly high enough. He’s already got a 5 year $30m per deal in his pocket. I don’t think he’s even worth that.

So I guess we just suck now.

[Bob Alpacadaca]

Use that $60 million for Tarik Skubal next year.

Trade for Jarren Duran, who is not Tucker, but can play center. Benge gets his shot in left.

Throw some money at Valdez.

[Lefty Specialist]

Mets need too many things and it's getting too late to address them. This may be a punt year, giving the kids a chance- Tong, Sproat, McLean, Benge, Williams. Next year there may not even be baseball.

But hey, we'll get 'em in '28!

[Benjamin Grimm]

Yeah, they might as well keep their prospects and see how they develop. Certainly don't trade any top prospects for a one-year rental. Or for Luis Robert.

[metsmarathon]

Bellinger is crazy inconsistent. If he plays well, he’s absolutely worth 30. This past season FanGraphs values his 4.4 war at $39M, and $36M in 2023. Unfortunately in between he posted a $16m season and had been coming off a three year stretch coming off his mvp wherein he logged a total of 2.0 fWAR.

So… you don’t quite know who you’re going to get.

At his best he’s at least as good as Tucker. Based on the Tucker valuation, I’d be ok with a $40M aav as the cost of doing business, with a similar 4-year structure to what they offered Tucker. Not 7.

Or, actually, I’d prefer they do a similar thing but for framber, and then bring back bader, or some other of stopgap. I’m not as much concerned about our offense as the potential low floor (albeit high ceiling) of our current starting pitching staff

[Centerfield]

Mets need too many things and it's getting too late to address them. This may be a punt year, giving the kids a chance- Tong, Sproat, McLean, Benge, Williams. Next year there may not even be baseball.

But hey, we'll get 'em in '28!

 

I find myself here.

I think the worst thing that can happen now is to trade the kids for rentals in a desperate attempt to salvage the offseason. As critical as I am of Stearns, I don’t see him doing this.

The problem with the “opportunistic” approach is that if things don’t fall your way, you’re left with nothing.

[Edgy MD]

Bellinger plays center. That's something. Something Tucker didn't do.

Also, he brings that sexy nepo-baby mojo.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Mark Feinsand suggests that the Mets might consider Eugenio Suarez. He's a big right-handed bat, but he'd be yet another infielder. Or, perhaps, a DH.

[Cowtipper]

Suarez would be exciting. Schwarber lite. Lotta power, lotta Ks, low average. Soto+Suarez+Lindor would be sweet. Maybe 25 homers from Baty, Vientos and/or Alvarez. Lots of power potential on this team.

[Edgy MD]

I think the reason that the Mets wanted Polanco is that it allows them to not necessarily have to pursue players based on position. They can fill in at one position and move Polanco to another.

[Gwreck]

I think the reason that the Mets wanted Polanco is that it allows them to not necessarily have to pursue players based on position. They can fill in at one position and move Polanco to another.

 

The way I see it, If Polanco is playing in the field more than to cover an occasional day off, something has gone seriously wrong.

[Edgy MD]

Well, I think he is going to be playing the field pretty often.

[Gwreck]

I’m happy for Jorge to prove me wrong, but I have a much easier time seeing Baty or Bichette (players who have demonstrated actual defensive value in the field) at first rather than Polanco (who has…not).

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, but, then, who's in left?

[Gwreck]

Well, I sure hope it’s not Polanco.

My take is that the Mets’ 26-man roster is currently short two outfielders, and at least one needs to come from outside the organization (the other might be Benge).