Benjamin Grimm

That's right! I had forgotten about that!

I envision a Flores-and-Wheeler package. I don't know what it would yield, but it should be something pretty good.

Maybe they were waiting for more teams to commit to being "buyers" but yeah, I think an earlier deal probably would have been better for them.

Centerfield wrote: You know, I didn't even consider that a possibility. I don't think it's likely either. Even if the Mets go all in on him (which I don't expect) I think he'll have more appealing options. But who knows? Maybe Omar and Fred can turn on the charm and schmooze Manny to Flushing.

Cast your vote!

Centerfield wrote: You mean the motto of Winter 2017-2018? Actually, that one might have been "Hey we're not so bad. We only lost about 90 games. Let's let everyone get a year older, drop payroll slightly, sign middling high-priced talent and see what happens." Exactly. Last year's plan hasn't worked out at all. If they take the perspective that 41 offered, that they're closer than they seem, we're very likely to see more lousiness in 2019. And, sadly, I think that's what we're likely to see happen.

True. There are a handful of younger players who may benefit from being a year older.

Well, there's one NL East team I'd like him to go to...

If the Mets take an approach of "Hey we're not so bad. We only lost about 90 games. Let's let everyone get a year older and see what happens." they'll get roasted, and deservedly so.

Yeah, I definitely haven't given up on Swarzak yet. And I was thinking similar thoughts about trading Bruce. I remember when the Mets had to take Derek Bell off the Astros hands in order to get Mike Hampton. I'm not sure if there's such a deal out there for the Mets to make, but they might as well try. I'm sure someone would take Bruce if it was necessary to get deGrom, but would they do so for someone like Wheeler? The other difference is that Bell was going into the final year of his contract, while Bruce still has two more.

Cast your vote!

Machado sounds like he's pretty intent on playing shortstop. I don't imagine that the Mets, even if they're willing to spend big, will the most appealing option for Machado given how the last two years have gone, but who knows? I'd like to at least see them in there trying.

I agree with Centerfield. The Mets can contend in 2019, but they have to be smart and lucky and willing to spend big. I think Jay Bruce is their biggest albatross. He has one more year on his contract than Vargas does, and if the Mets feel that they need to carry him on their roster because of his salary he takes up a more precious roster slot, given that there's less room for position players these days. I'd rather ditch him and replace him with someone eight years younger, accepting the risk that he'll have a comeback season next year somewhere else. I don't want to lose deGrom or Syndergaard. After them, and assuming the Mets want to keep Nimmo, Conforto, and Rosario, their most tradeable guys who aren't in their walk years are probably Matz, Wheeler, and Flores. I'd hate to lose Wilmer, but a package of Wheeler and Flores might return somebody really good. For the record, I don't expect the Mets to be much of a contender in 2019. But it could happen, and I hope it does. I will enter the offseason feeling quite skeptical.

Vic Sage wrote: when was that a hope? It's been MY hope, albeit not a reasonable one.

Any slim hope of trading Jay Bruce before July 31 is becoming even slimmer.

I guess that's what happens when you have a first-year manager. I mean, look how poorly the Red Sox, Yankees, and Phillies are doing.

I wouldn't be surprised if the finished product is in another state.

But with glass, so that grass can grow? Maybe they've learned a better way to do this than Houston fifty years ago?

One potential difference from 1967 is that this looks like it might be one of those Willard Mullin "broken plank" seasons.

Maybe now he's a Total Big Asshole.

SCHAEFER METS PLAYERS OF THE MONTH, JUNE 2018 JUNE 2018 Player of the Month: JACOB deGROM Jacob deGrom is the Schaefer Mets Player of the Month, by a comfortable margin. He finished nearly 6 points ahead of runner-up Zack Wheeler. This is the fifth time that Jacob has been Player of the Month, which ties him with Carlos Beltran. Only David Wright, Jose Reyes, and Johan Santana have won this award more often. Pitcher of the Month: JACOB deGROM DeGrom is also the Pitcher of the Month, for the 13th time. He is the all-time leader in this category. Reliever of the Month: ROBERT GSELLMAN As a starting pitcher, ROBERT GSELLMAN has been Pitcher of the Month twice. This is his first time as Reliever of the Month. See below for a full listing of reliever points. Bench Player of the Month: WILMER FLORES Wilmer Flores is the Bench Player of the Month for the second time in a row and the fifth time overall. He extends his all-time lead in this category. See below for a full listing of bench player points. Updated award winner standings, with this month's winners in bold: PLAYER OF THE MONTH David Wright 14 Johan Santana 6 Jose Reyes 6 Carlos Beltran 5 JACOB deGROM 5 R. A. Dickey 4 Lucas Duda 4 Daniel Murphy 3 Cliff Floyd 2 Tom Glavine 2 Carlos Delgado 2 Ike Davis 2 Matt Harvey 2 Noah Syndergaard 2 Curtis Granderson 2 Michael Conforto 2 Yoenis Cespedes 2 Mike Cameron 1 John Maine 1 Angel Pagan 1 Jeff Francoeur 1 Ruben Tejada 1 John Buck 1 Marlon Byrd 1 Dillon Gee 1 Jonathon Niese 1 Bartolo Colon 1 Juan Lagares 1 Wilmer Flores 1 Neil Walker 1 Jay Bruce 1 Asdrubal Cabrera 1 Brandon Nimmo 1 PITCHER OF THE MONTH JACOB deGROM 13 R. A. Dickey 10 Johan Santana 9 Pedro Martinez 6 John Maine 5 Bartolo Colon 5 Mike Pelfrey 4 Jonathon Niese 4 Matt Harvey 4 Tom Glavine 3 Dillon Gee 3 Noah Syndergaard 3 Orlando Hernandez 2 Robert Gsellman 2 Alay Soler 1 Steve Trachsel 1 Oliver Perez 1 Livan Hernandez 1 Tim Redding 1 Chris Capuano 1 Zack Wheeler 1 Rafael Montero 1 RELIEVER OF THE MONTH Jeurys Familia 12 Brian Stokes 5 Addison Reed 5 Billy Wagner 4 Aaron Heilman 4 Bobby Parnell 4 Carlos Torres 4 Francisco Rodriguez 3 Hansel Robles 3 Duaner Sanchez 2 Raul Valdes 2 Pedro Beato 2 Manny Acosta 2 Jon Rauch 2 LaTroy Hawkins 2 Darren Oliver 1 Chad Bradford 1 Guillermo Mota 1 Joe Smith 1 Jorge Sosa 1 Scott Schoeneweis 1 Pedro Feliciano 1 Sean Green 1 Fernando Nieve 1 Hisanori Takahashi 1 Elmer Dessens 1 Jason Isringhausen 1 Frank Francisco 1 Josh Edgin 1 Scott Rice 1 Paul Sewald 1 Chasen Bradford 1 Seth Lugo 1 ROBERT GSELLMAN 1 BENCH PLAYER OF THE MONTH WILMER FLORES 5 Fernando Tatis 3 Daniel Murphy 3 Jordany Valdespin 3 Eric Campbell 3 Kelly Johnson 3 Julio Franco 2 Damion Easley 2 Marlon Anderson 2 Endy Chavez 2 Josh Thole 2 Justin Turner 2 Scott Hairston 2 Andrew Brown 2 Lucas Duda 2 Juan Lagares 2 Eli Marrero 1 Michael Tucker 1 Ricky Ledee 1 David Newhan 1 Ramon Castro 1 Ruben Gotay 1 Robinson Cancel 1 Gary Sheffield 1 Alex Cora 1 Jeremy Reed 1 Omir Santos 1 Cory Sullivan 1 Chris Carter 1 Mike Hessman 1 Nick Evans 1 Jason Pridie 1 Willie Harris 1 Val Pascucci 1 Mike Baxter 1 Ronny Cedeño 1 Kelly Shoppach 1 Josh Satin 1 Zach Lutz 1 Ike Davis 1 Chris Young 1 Anthony Recker 1 Curtis Granderson 1 Johnny Monell 1 Darrell Ceciliani 1 Michael Cuddyer 1 Yoenis Cespedes 1 Gavin Cecchini 1 Michael Conforto 1 Brandon Nimmo 1 Dominic Smith 1 Leaders for Bench Players in June: 1 Wilmer Flores 2.90 2 Jose Bautista 2.00 3 Dominic Smith 1.35 4 Jose Reyes 1.10 5 Luis Guillorme 0.15 5 Amed Rosario 0.15 7 Jose Lobaton 0.10 8 Michael Conforto 0.05 Leaders for Relievers in June: 1 Robert Gsellman 5.30 2 Tim Peterson 4.43 3 Anthony Swarzak 2.85 4 Jeurys Familia 2.39 5 Seth Lugo 2.05 6 Jerry Blevins 1.49 7 Paul Sewald 1.40 8 Tyler Bashlor 1.10 9 Hansel Robles 1.07 10 Drew Smith 0.50 11 Jacob Rhame 0.20 12 Chris Beck 0.15

SCHAEFER METS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Week ending March 31, 2018: Yoenis Cespedes, 3.43 points. Week ending April 7, 2018: Yoenis Cespedes, 3.67 points. Week ending April 14, 2018: Asdrubal Cabrera, 5.29 points. Week ending April 21, 2018: Jacob deGrom, 8.78 points. Week ending April 28, 2018: Yoenis Cespedes, 5.18 points. Week ending May 5, 2018: Yoenis Cespedes, 4.19 points. Week ending May 12, 2018: Michael Conforto, 3.99 points. Week ending May 19, 2018: Jacob deGrom, 4.72 points. Week ending May 26, 2018: Brandon Nimmo, 7.83 points. Week ending June 2, 2018: Jacob deGrom, 9.20 points. Week ending June 9, 2018: Steven Matz, 6.25 points. Week ending June 16, 2018: Jacob deGrom, 4.80 points. Week ending June 23, 2018: Brandon Nimmo, 8.90 points. Week ending June 30, 2018: Wilmer Flores, 6.45 points.

You called him "Total Little Asshole"?