Benjamin Grimm

I know what you mean. It's not like there's an impact free agent out there that would solve all this. Maybe they'll sign Tucker or Bellinger, which would be a step in the right direction, but it would still leave them behind where they were at the end of the 2025 season. And that wasn't a good place. Some big moves might be coming, but I don't have any idea what they might be. If they in fact are coming.

The pitcher is Yordan Rodriguez. Here's what Baseball America has to say:

It's strange that, with the exception of Williams and Diaz, players are leaving before their replacements are lined up. Unless perhaps Polanco is the replacement for McNeil.

Maybe. But before they start dealing starting pitchers I'd like to see them acquire some.

We've been hearing about the Mets having an interest in Robert for well over a year now. I still don't get it. He showed decline in 2024 and didn't bounce back in 2025. If they want him as a defensive replacement/pinch runner, that's fine, but his salary and the White Sox asking price are both too high for someone who will fill that role.

I think that's pretty much what Manaea got after the 2024 season.

His nickname is 'The Password' His parents should have been required to include a number and a punctuation mark.

If so, my guess is that Nimmo was the Trumpster.

Of course not. He may turn out to be a Steven Matz. Or a Bill Pulsipher. That's why I'm not totally opposed to trading him, but if he goes I want it to be for a big return. He may become a mainstay of the Mets rotation for years to come, but for now he's also a trade chip and if they trade him I want them to do it wisely.

That's what I'm hoping as well.

Tong for a reliever would be incredibly short-sighted. If they have to trade Tong, it should be as part of a package for a big impact player.

32 years old. Appeared in 64 games in 2025 and saved eight of them. 3.62 ERA, in 64 innings he struck out 72, walked 20, and gave up ten homers. (That last number isn't so good.) If we were still doing song parodies here, I could see the following: Oh Luke Weaver I believe you can get me through the ninth

It won't. I mean the lineup won't stay as above. But the long and dreary may very well come to pass.

Stearns seems to be wanting Benge to establish himself, so I can see them committing more heavily to a corner outfielder than a center fieler.

I suppose everyone sets the bar for iconicship (perhaps not a word) at a different level. Gwreck has it very high, only Tom Seaver meets the standard. Merriam-Webster says: Seaver, the guy with the statue, certainly qualifies. I think you can make a reasonable argument against everyone else. The step below "icon" is probably "legend". Here's the definition: Okay, that's not particularly helpful. Let's reference definition a. Mike Piazza, with his September 2001 home run, is a legend. Mookie Wilson, October 25, 1986. Legend. Robin Ventura and his Grand Slam Single. And it doesn't have to be particular moments. Casey Stengel and Gil Hodges have been dead for more than a half century and they're still part of Mets lore. Koosman, Darryl, Keith, Doc, Alfonzo, Alonso, deGrom. All legends. I think I'm with Gwreck. Seaver's an icon. Many others are legends. And that's still a significant thing.

Regarding the rotation, I'm getting a Framber Valdez hunch. I have no idea who their big bat is going to be. I just hope they find somebody.

Buster Olney is apparently projecting that the Mets will trade virtually all of their young prospects, except for McLean in two deals, one with the Padres and the other with the Tigers. In return they'd get Skubal and Tatis and would take on the contract of Bogaerts. I'll believe it when it happens.

I'd add Keith and Piazza.

Of course, a wild card turned out to be a lot of fun in 2024 and was better than we had in 2025. (Or 2021 and 2023.) So I wouldn't necessarily scoff at a wild card. But I agree that a wild card should be a consolation prize and a division title should be the goal.

We'll get a better idea once we see what kind of moves they make for the rest of the winter. I suppose it's possible that they'll aim for 87 wins (not that any team actually aims for a specific number) for 2026 and then go bigger for 2027 and beyond. I saw Stearns saying that the Mets need more innings from their starting pitchers. (Um, yeah!) Maybe that will tempt them to extend beyond their comfort level for someone like Framber Valdez. Only five AL pitchers threw more innings than his 192. He averaged a little over 6 innings per start, which doesn't really seem all that impressive but I guess it is by today's standards.

There's been a bit of buzz that the Mets may target Willson Contreras of the Cardinals as their new first baseman. He'll turn 34 in May. His five-year contract has two more seasons to go, ending in 2027. There's a team option for 2028. In 2025, he played in 135 games. 20 homers, 31 doubles. .257/.344/.447. Some speculation I've seen says that Mark Vientos might be included in a trade for Contreras. That seems to be coming, as far as I can tell, from former Mets acting GM Zack Scott. So who knows?

Tim Britton, in The Athletic, predicts what the Mets might do, based on his understanding of their planned approach and the rumors he's been hearing. Sign Michael King (SP) Three-year deal projected (~$75M with opt-out). Adds high-ceiling arm to rotation. Trade David Peterson → Padres for Ramón Laureano (OF) Peterson (SP, final arb year) swapped for Laureano (OF, one year of control). Laureano fills Nimmo’s outfield void. Trade for a First Baseman Options discussed: Willson Contreras (Cardinals, salary dump fit), Yandy Díaz (Rays, underrated bat), Isaac Paredes or Tyler Soderstrom (younger, higher cost). Contreras is the focus in this blueprint. Acquire Two Set-Up Relievers Names floated: Tyler Rogers, Luke Weaver, plus A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley already in-house. Devin Williams remains the closer. Projected Roster Lineup (9): SS: Francisco Lindor 2B: Marcus Semien LF: Juan Soto 1B: Willson Contreras (trade acquisition) RF: Ramón Laureano (trade acquisition) 3B: Brett Baty C: Francisco Álvarez DH: Ronny Mauricio / Mark Vientos platoon CF: Tyrone Taylor (with Carson Benge pushing later) Rotation (5): Michael King (FA signing) Nolan McLean Clay Holmes Sean Manaea Kodai Senga (Depth: Christian Scott, Brandon Sproat, Jonah Tong) Bullpen (8): Closer: Devin Williams Set-up: Tyler Rogers, Luke Weaver, Brooks Raley, A.J. Minter Middle/Depth: Huascar Brazobán, Brandon Waddell, Adbert Alzolay

I think that if the Mets contend with a lot of production from their younger players it will feel like a new dawn. And if that doesn't happen, and the Mets muddle around or below the .500 mark, it will be a dreary season. This really can go a number of ways.

http://ultimatemets.com/covers/2025/20251212_NYDN_02.jpg http://ultimatemets.com/covers/2025/20251212_NSD_02.jpg

http://ultimatemets.com/covers/2025/20251212_NYP_02.jpg