Maybe they'll put McNeil at third, Acuna at second, and Vientos at first for a year and then go big for Vlad next year. I'd be reluctant, though, to put too many eggs in Vlad's basket, especially since we don't even know for sure that he'll be a free agent.
I still think there's a chance that the market will come back to the Mets, if that $68 million offer becomes his best option. That is, unless the Mets have committed elsewhere by then. Which I think is the most likely outcome.
I am too. But I've survived the departures of Seaver (twice!), Staub, Strawberry, Gooden, Alfonzo, Reyes, deGrom and others, so if Pete goes life will go on. But yes, I do hope this is just posturing on the Mets' part. And it may well be.
That article suggests that the Jays might put Alonso at first base and move Guerrero to third base. Or let one of them be a DH. So Pete/Vlad isn't necessarily an either/or for Toronto.
Newsweek reporting that they're asking for $93.3 million over three years. It would break the record for annual salary for a first baseman, Miguel Cabrera's $31 million.
Duquette followed up with this: Did Bellinger's deal include an opt-out? If so, he apparently didn't exercise it, since the Yankees acquired him in a trade and not as a free agent.
My guess, as of right now: Pete comes back to the Mets with a four year contract, $130 million with one or more opt-outs. And vesting clauses for the fifth and sixth years that could bring the potential total close to the $200 million that Boras appears to want so badly.
I don't think he's above average, but I wouldn't say he's bad. That dropped foul ball in Milwaukee in Game Three looked terrible, but overall I'd say he's done a decent job.
The Milwaukee Milkmen??? That's a new one for me. Wisconsin is dairy country, of course. I guess they want to remind people that beer isn't the only beverage in the state.
I agree with all of the above. And if Boras is really digging in at $200 million (which has been reported, but I'm skeptical) then Pete will be unsigned until March and he still won't get $200 million.
And also... WEIRD! It reminds me of the class pictures from when I was in kindergarten and first grade, when about half of the kids in the photo had their mouths wide open for no obvious reason.
I'm not surprised. By the end of the season, it was clearly Lindor's team. I don't recall if that would have been as obvious back in March or April. But maybe.