Gwreck

I’ve wondered why the change in terminology was embraced such that they are now more frequently called “opt-outs” rather than “player options.”

I understood that there is a positional adjustment in WAR calculations as well. Vientos has played a significant amount of time at DH and Baty has played almost exclusively in the field. His value over a replacement player is necessarily lesser because it’s easiest to “replace” someone at DH than anywhere else.

Christian Scott might still technically have a claim to that number given his spot on the 40 man roster. Putting a new star pitching prospect in 48 is an intriguing idea, however.

Yes. Jankowski wore 21 for the Mets earlier this year.

Sigh. Manfred.

A couple of additional notes upon further review: The Pirates (with presumed opening day starter Paul Skenes) are about as bad an “bad team” opening day opponent comes. There’s undoubtedly a lot of variables that factor in, and it might not be so feasible, but the STL/SF and a LA/CHC roadtrips seem like they’re crying out for a swap somewhere.

Released today. Notable: -Opening day Thursday, March 26 at Citi Field against the Pirates. -All of the major travel comes early, with the last West Coast trip ending June 7. Mets only play 9 games in the central time zone after that date (one series each in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Texas). -Only two semi-repeaters (Miami in May, Philly in June). -Rare Friday off day on June 19 (Mets are in Philly; World Cup game that day at the football stadium across the street). -Playing at the other NY team on Friday, September 11.

With last night’s win, the Mets have won 8 in a row at Citi Field over the Phillies (including the 2024 division series). Since the start of the 2022 season, they are 21-6 at home against Philly. I for one welcome the idea that it’s in their heads. From The Athletic: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6575444/2025/08/26/phillies-lose-eighth-straight-game-at-citi-field/ [bLOCKQUOTE]No one inside the visitors’ clubhouse at Citi Field will admit it, but maybe this place has infiltrated the collective Phillies’ subconscious. It’s only natural; the Phillies have lost 22 of their last 28 games they’ve played here, including two soul-crushing postseason defeats last October that sent them home. It will be a thing until it’s no longer a thing. Cristopher Sánchez endured his worst start in more than a year, then Bryce Harper suggested afterward that the Mets had something on Sánchez. This was how the Mets crawled into the Phillies’ heads last October; paranoia spread through the organization that New York had devoted significant resources — through technology and manpower — to detect a pitcher’s tells. Maybe it was something; the Phillies did extensive work on their own pitchers. They looked at J.T. Realmuto’s positioning on specific pitches, too. They inspected things even after they were eliminated. Maybe it was a bluff. Maybe the Mets have just played better than the Phillies whenever they meet. That is the simple explanation, and the most uncomfortable one. It’s why the Phillies fumbled a three-run lead Monday into a 10-run loss, 13-3, and opened the door just a little bit. It’s still a six-game lead in the National League East, a lead that will remain robust so long as the Phillies aren’t swept here. But they have now lost eight straight at Citi Field. [/bLOCKQUOTE]

I forgot about that. It was the last game before the All Star Break. McNeil hit a RBI triple that I think just barely missed being a homer. Jared Young (!) actually tied it by bringing McNeil home on a sac fly….but then Manaea gave up the winning run in the 9th.

The closest they’ve come was the May 23 game against LA, scoring 3 in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game and force extras (losing in the 13th).

Not great, Bob

Possibly nobody, if they wait until September 1 when rosters expand by two players. If they wanted to call him up earlier/needed him as a sixth starter, Garrett could go down. Or (probably last resort) a DFA of Stanek.

A poor trade by Stearns. I wanted to trade for Flaherty at the deadline last year (and the prospect cost for him was pretty low). Stearns instead traded for Blackburn who hadn’t ever been good and…shockingly was not good for the Mets either.

Indeed, Mendoza in the pregame press conference called it pretty significant and said TJ is a possibility.

Other prominent NL pitchers who were never the same after thoracic outlet syndrome: Matt Harvey; Stephen Strasburg. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to be concerned that this could end Wheeler’s career.

It is not hard to imagine a time in the not-too-distant future in which spots 1-4 on this leaderboard are held (in some order) by Alonso, Lindor, Nimmo, and Soto.

I can’t remember that. When Alvarez wasn’t hitting at all, I do remember a Torrens > Alvarez consideration, particularly given how good Torrens’ defense has been.

To some extent, the “travel costs”/travel time thing is a bit overblown. Sure, there’s some savings by reducing air mileage but it’s not that much if you have to charter the jet in the first instance — and everything else (hotels, meals) is still a cost no matter where you fly. The only road trips that don’t need a plane are the two same-city matchups, LA-SD, Chicago-Milwaukee, Cleveland-Detroit, Cleveland-Pittsburgh, Washington/Baltimore-Philly, and Philly-NY. Reweighting the schedule is a big unknown for revenue. The owners are all very happy to have the Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox, Yankees, and Mets visit their cities often because their revenue goes up with premium opponents visiting. The real money is in expanding the playoffs, and in expansion fees paid by new clubs. And the real benefit for the players is that new clubs means more MLB roster spots.

The Athletic had this possible alignment today, with two teams switching leagues but otherwise preserving existing divisions and leagues to the greatest extent possible while also making geographic sense. NL East: NYM, PHI, WAS, PIT NL North: CHC, CIN, MIL, STL NL South: ATL, MIA, TBR, [Nashville] NL West: ARZ, LAD, SDP, SFG AL East: BAL, BOS, NYY, TOR AL North: CHW, CLE, DET, MIN AL South: COL, HOU, KCR, TEX AL West: Las Vegas, LAA, [salt Lake City], SEA

Assuming expansion happens, it seems a fair assumption to assume groupings of 4 and 8, no? The Post does well making a nice little map but their groupings are not very well thought out. The one hope for sensible realignment, if it happens, is that a sufficient number of owners may not find it in their interest to be realigned. The minor savings on travel costs is not going to outweigh concerns over access to the playoffs. A situation in which the Mets, Phillies, Red Sox, and Yankees are all placed in one division? One would expect 4 “no” votes from ownership of each of those clubs. That’s not enough to block it, but if there’s also a few other teams also placed in situations they don’t like (in ridiculous map above, that might also be Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Colorado, Toronto) — then there might be sufficient power to block dumb ideas.

Probably just the function of an off day. Assuming he sees the doctor in the morning, team knows something by mid-day, AND there’s something to announce….are they really going to put out a press release that afternoon? (Or just wait for the ordinary media availability/pregame press conference on Tuesday?)

I’m not sure what to do with an argument that “it was better before Denver and Phoenix had teams.” (The Mets have been regularly making 3 or more “West Coast” road trips per season since they joined the league). The random rainout makeup has always been a possibility when traveling somewhere a team won’t return to before the end of the season. Other teams have the same issue from time to time. And while MLB “special events” can be kind of goofy at times, making the Mets and Mariners travel all the way to Williamsport, PA for that game (flying time:

That’s fair, but also something that’s less easily correctable in-season.

If expansion is going to happen (it’s not necessary), there is a way to do this without totally destroying everything. Either 4 divisions of 8, or 8 divisions of 4 (splits below). NL East: Mets ATL PHI WAS —- CIN PIT MIA Nashville NL West: CHC COL MIL STL —- ARZ LAD SDP SFG AL East: BAL BOS NYY TBR —- CHW CLE DET TOR AL West: HOU KCR MIN TEX —- Las Vegas LAA Salt Lake City SEA

Manfred is the worst thing to happen to baseball in my lifetime. DH in the NL? Abominable. Clown car extra inning rules? Unforgivable Expanded playoffs, cheapening the product for everyone: terrible Now this nonsense? Unbelievable