Benjamin Grimm

A Boy Named Seo wrote: I think we're putting all the focus on Cano and underestimating the massive hard-on the Mets seem to have for Edwin Diaz. Yes, you're right. I meant to make that point too but forgot. It might very well be that Cano is the bitter pill that the Mets have to swallow to get Diaz. (And to unload Bruce as well?)

I wonder if they see Cano as a first baseman? Or if he'd nudge McNeil to third base? I agree that this whole thing seems nutty. Why is Cano the first player they're targeting? Maybe this is part of some bigger plan; it's really impossible to judge an offseason until all of the dust settles, and we're a long way from that. But for now I'll remain perplexed. I would likely be willing to trade Bruce for Cano and cash. Diaz makes the deal sweeter for the Mets, so I can see why the Mariners would want a young player to come back to them. And, in theory, I'd be okay with that too. I just worry about who that player (or players) might be. And is Mallex Smith off the table?

Lefty Specialist wrote: I really, really want to believe they won't do something stupid. Afraid they will, though. Cano could be the next Robbie Alomar. I think the Alomar deal was a smart move that didn't work out. This one, well, until we know the details it's hard to say. Tonight's Mets Hot Stove should be interesting.

Centerfield wrote: And if this deal goes through, are we going to do a jersey over the suit press conference for Cano? Oh, I'm sure they would. I don't object to getting Cano and Diaz, I just worry about what the Mets will give up to get them. I do fear that it will be too much.

We never even got to see what his girlfriend's hair looks like.

Mets emerging as favorites for Robinson Cano, Edwin Diaz New York Post wrote: The Mets and Mariners have gained momentum toward a trade that would send Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to Flushing, Yahoo Sports reports. However, The Post’s Joel Sherman reports that the Mets do not feel like they are close to a deal for Cano and Diaz and that the Mariners are still unsure on how to proceed. Seattle and GM Jerry DiPoto have been back and forth on whether to maximize their return for Diaz or to include Cano and the $120 million left on his contract, which would severely diminish the return.

Hopefully, "discussed" means that the Mariners are asking, not that the Mets are offering. But I really don't know what to think.

Kristie Ackert wrote: The Mets would also have to dip into their core of young players to get a deal of this magnitude done, the industry source said. They would likely have to send back a top prospect like shortstop Andres Gimenez, right-hander Justin Dunn or 2018 Mets top draft pick Jarred Kelenic. A team source said that the Mets would not include more than one of those players in any deal. It would also likely include a young major leaguer and Seth Lugo has been among those floated, the source said.

I guess you're too young to remember Gil Hodges. For me: 1. Mookie 2. Lute Barnes. (I know, it should be Bobby Valentine, but it's Lute Barnes.) 3. Harrelson 4. Staub 5. Wright 6. Backman 7. Reyes 8. Carter 9. Torre 10. Duffy Dyer 11. Wayne Garrett 12. Ken Boswell 13. Edgardo Alfonzo 14. Hodges 15. Grote 16. Gooden 17. Hernandez 18. Strawberry 19. Ojeda 20. HoJo 21. Cleon Jones 22. Clendennon 23. Mike Vail 24. Willie Mays 25. Del Unser 26. Kingman 27. Swan 28. Milner 29. Viola 30. Gentry 31. Piazza 32. Matlack 33. Sadecki 34. Apodaca 35. Nobody 36. Koosman 37. Stengel 38. Nobody 39. Sisk 40. Zachry 41. Seaver 42. Ron Hodges 43. Jim McAndrew 44. Darling 45. McGraw 46. Neil Allen 47. Orosco 48. deGrom 49. Nobody 50. Sid Fernandez

If I visit that website, will my hair look exactly like hers?

I remember Jorgensen as 16... For 22 I think of Donn Clendennon, Ray Knight, and Al Leiter. And with a little further thought, Kevin McReynolds and Kevin Plawecki.

Probably! I think the reality is most likely, as usual, somewhere between the two extremes. It's hard to judge Brodie yet because he hasn't made any significant player moves yet, and that's okay too, because it's still only November. But we've seen signs that he's beefing up the front office, the analytics, and he's made some changes to the coaching staff. He's definitely doing stuff, working on at least a few of the mysterious Eleven Points. I think it's too early to be cynical or snarky about him, but also too early to proclaim him a genius. I hope he's a genius. (A very stable genius!) I'm confident that he's a pretty smart guy, but the question is whether his smarts and his skills will suit him for his new role. Fred and Jeff seem to think so and, well, um...

Andy Martino wrote: The Mets and Padres have been talking for weeks about a Noah Syndergaard trade, and now we have our first specific tidbit: San Diego has told the Mets that top infield prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. is untouchable, according to major league sources. The teams have discussed catcher Austin Hedges. The Mets remain open to moving Syndergaard, but are still looking for the right offer. If that offer fails to materialize they will keep him. The team has remained in contact with top free agenst starters J.A. Happ and Patrick Corbin, among others, and could pursue one to replace Syndergaard. Austin Hedges is a far cry from Fernando Tatis. Hopefully the discussion of Austin Hedges has nothing to do with a Syndergaard deal, unless the Padres are also willing to include a 22-year-old clone of Tony Gwynn.

Three polls are currently tied: 2018 Tabloid Cover Derby Round 1.19 Aug 14 through Aug 24 2018 Tabloid Cover Derby Round 1.21 Sep 27 through Oct 26 2018 Tabloid Cover Derby Round 1.22 Oct 27 through Nov 28 Please give them a click and if you find that you haven't voted, make your voice heard! (And if you have voted, here's your chance to reevaluate, if you care to.) If the ties persist, we'll have special tie-breaker polls like the one posted this morning. Thank you, and drive home safely!

That would be me. And I might do that if it comes to it.

HAZ-MET's lead so far is quite surprising.

Any notion of "MFY taint" is coming from the fans, not the Wilpons. We came to love Curtis Granderson, even though he has a Yankee past. We'd get over it with anyone else too, if they performed well.

And here's what Jim Duquette is saying now: Syndergaard, RHP, Mets (26) Best fit: Padres Trade package: OF Manuel Margot, C Austin Hedges, LHP MacKenzie Gore (San Diego's No. 2 prospect, No. 13 overall) Starting pitchers of Syndergaard's age, caliber and contract status (under control for three more years) are almost never available, but the Mets are having dialogue with multiple teams regarding the right-hander. Although New York is reportedly looking to use a Syndergaard trade to address other needs on the big league roster, a one-for-one deal that brings back a comparable position player may not be out there. As a result, the Mets could look to shop Syndergaard for a combination of MLB players and high-end prospects. The Padres are a perfect fit in many ways, as they have a strong farm system and a Major League roster that can spare a center fielder and a catcher, which are two of the Mets' biggest needs. San Diego has been eyeing Syndergaard since the summer, and the club continues to do so. Packaging Gore, the No. 3 overall Draft pick in 2017, with Margot and Hedges could be enough to bring Thor to San Diego.

Carlos Baerga was only 28 when the Mets got him. That's not at all comparable to Cano. Roberto Alomar was 34, which is a lot closer.

Mike Puma wrote: A source indicated that to trade Syndergaard, the Mets would probably need to already have a deal in place to acquire another starting pitcher. Gio Gonzalez is among the free agents who has been discussed — the veteran lefty owns a career 1.85 ERA at Citi Field — but the Mets could also turn to J.A. Happ or shoot for a higher upside starter in Nathan Eovaldi. Bryce Harper rumors lurking as Mets eye Noah Syndergaard move I think this is the first time I've seen anything about Gio Gonzalez being considered by the Mets.

That's too cynical for me.

You can't really assume that the Indians, if they're looking to trade Gomes, will be willing to wait for Yoenis Cespedes to come off the DL before making a deal. If Nimmo-for-Gomes is an option now, that doesn't mean it will still be an option next summer.

This is the final poll of our first round. There may still be a tie-breaker or two before then, but otherwise we'll be on a short break and the Tabloid Cover Derby will resume next Wednesday with the commencement of the second round.

SUCCESS Newsday, July 21, 2018. WHAT THE HEEL! New York Daily News, July 21, 2018. HAZ-MET! New York Daily News, July 23, 2018.

Vote for the tabloid covers that you like the best. You may select up to three choices. Voting will run for seven days. BRO' TALK! New York Daily News, October 27, 2018. VAN HAILIN' New York Post, October 27, 2018. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE New York Daily News, October 28, 2018. PROMISES, PROMISES Newsday, October 31, 2018. THE FAST AND THE CURIOUS New York Daily News, November 2, 2018. CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' New York Daily News, November 6, 2018. JOIN deCLUB New York Post, November 14, 2018. DEGROMINATION Newsday, November 15, 2018. EVERYBODY HITS FOR JAKE New York Daily News, November 15, 2018. CY OF THE TIMES New York Post, November 15, 2018. WHY I MADE MY deCISION New York Daily News, November 16, 2018. TRADE BAIT? Newsday, November 17, 2018. WIL, BUT NO WAY! New York Daily News, November 17, 2018. THE CANO TAX New York Post, November 28, 2018.