Centerfield

I mean I get it with the Padres. But the Mets? Trying to do some Christmas shopping. Not sure when this became a thing.

What does Puig do specifically? Complain to the media? Not play hard? It looks like his numbers are down a little from when he first arrived. Seems to have power. Speed. Doesn’t hit for average. I guess it comes down to what it would cost us in terms of talent and how much of aheadache would be.

My first impression of the Van Wagenen Era: checking my phone and hoping that Brodie hasn’t made a really stupid trade. Sometimes being disappointed.

Wow. Just wow.

I think it comes down to deGrom versus Wright. Wright is the bigger story, as far as overall Mets history. But I think the story of 2018 is deGrom's historic season. We'll see how it shakes out. For all I know, it may be that Sandy Alderson game show cover.

David might win the whole thing.

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I'm not so thrilled with the 5 through 8 positions in that lineup. But I expect that there will be a few more changes in the next 111 days. If we had to go to war today, I'd play McNeil at 3B and let Frazier and Smith platoon 1B until Alonso is ready.

I think I read that the $20 million from Seattle will be broken out over time.

Thought he would be really great the first time I saw him. Even after he struggled I thought one day he'd figure it out. Each time I see him is a reminder of how bad I am as a scout.

Yeah. That was my big criticism over the Diaz pursuit. Sign a free agent closer. Sign a free agent catcher. Sign a free agent left-handed reliever. If you want to trade prospects, trade Kelenic and Dunn for Nolan Arenado. Then sign him to an extension. You don't need to be creative. You just need to act like a big market team.

smg58 wrote: Weaver and Kelly were at least as highly regarded as Kellenic and Dunn are now, but they hiccuped at the big-league level. Weaver is sort of in a similar place as Rosario -- the talent is there but the results aren't yet. If the light clicks on for one of them, it will more than justify losing one year of Goldschmidt when they are rebuilding. As for the Cardinals -- they have a glut of starting pitchers, another catching prospect who is as well regarded, and Molina still isn't going anywhere just yet. They dealt from surplus to get a year of arguably the best first baseman in the league. For now it makes them the team to beat in their division, but the Brewers and Cubs have more than enough time to respond. I would have much rather traded Dunn and Kelenic for Goldschmit. Or Nolan Arenado. Or Kris Bryant.

It's so frustrating. We're talking about the Realmuto trade because we're fucking broke and can't afford Grandal or Ramos. I don't think anyone realistically believes that Realmuto is worth giving up the names mentioned, but it looks like that's what we're going to end up doing. Brodie may have no money to spend, but he's showing he has no issues burning through Alderson's young core of talented players. To hell with the future. This is what we get for hiring an agent. All dazzle, no substance.

I think a David Wright cover will win. But that is sentiment taking over. The 2018 season was really about deGrom.

When asked about Harper and Machado, he said "the two big boys do not have offers from us quite yet." When asked if it was possible, he said the Mets would have to get "really creative" to make it work under the current payroll constraints. So much for "we'll be in on every free agent".

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I agree, but to look at it from another angle, Realmuto plays a position that's quite a bit harder to fill. If I were dealing Nimmo for Realmuto, I would try to get a negotiating window to ensure that JT would be locked down for more than two years. Yes. It's harder to find good production at catcher. But not this year. Grandal is a better hitter, is only 30, and costs only money and a second round pick. Ramos is 31, but also a good hitter, and costs only money. Not even compensation for Ramos. The difference between Realmuto and Grandal/Ramos is not enough to justify losing Rosario, or Nimmo or Conforto, or some combination of them.

Today's interview is enlightening. For the first time, since Brodie was hired, he dropped a hint that the top of the market is outside of his capabilities. In other words, they won't expand payroll and play like a big market team. That he did the the day after the excitement from the Cano trade, I believe, is intentional. Here's what I think is happening. The Mets can't afford a top tier payroll. This much is clear by now. The last few years, they've tried to fudge it, and been unsuccessful. After last winter, some foolishly believed that the Mets had made a commitment to win. No one is foolish enough to believe it again. If they signed a bunch of second-tier scrubs again, even the pollyannas at the Daily News would have taken them to task. So they're going a different route. Through trades, the Mets can add flashy, big name players without a big financial commitment. The Cano trade was payroll neutral. Realmuto wouldn't break the bank either. It matters not if the Mets actually get better or worse, the moves are exciting. They can fool the fans again. We were "aggressive". Courageous. Bold and creative. When in actuality, these moves are just dumb. Do we really believe Sandy wasn't capable of taking on $100 million in salary for a 36 year old PED user? I'm guessing Sandy just knew better. And though he might not have been the best at finding prospects, when he found one he wasn't dumb enough to trade such a prize away. In the end, the Mets payroll will end up somewhere in that second tier. Just like we were last year. But this time, they'll talk about adding Cano, and adding Diaz, and adding Realmuto, without mentioning the tremendous talent that left the organization. They'll couch it as an election. "We went the trade route, instead of free agent route. We chose creativity" Blah blah blah. And some media and fans will lap it up. I've already heard some of the justification. "Look at how the Red Sox did it with the Chris Sale trade. They were brave enough to trade prospects....yyy". Sure, the Sale trade was creative. But signing JD Martinez wasn't creative. Many said they'd judge the Cano trade on what the Mets do the rest of the way. If the Wilpons don't give Brodie a budget big enough to compete with the top 5, then it's the same old bullshit again.

Nimmo is a better hitter than Realmuto. He's younger, cheaper, has more years of control, and has the potential to improve even further. In all likelihood, it would cost more than just Nimmo, and you'd lose the prospects too. So the team would get worse, older, more expensive, and hurt the farm system further.

seawolf17 wrote: smg58 wrote: five is right out. Lololol. I think if seawolf and I were hanging out watching TV on a Sunday afternoon, I would be completely happy with his channel selection.

I didn't hear it, but according to twitter, Brodie all but conceded they can't afford Harper or Machado. Is this the feeling you guys got?

If I had to guess, BVW's plan is to win now at all costs, to hell with the future. Try to win during the deGrom/Syndergaard window. Then tear it down and do an Astros-style rebuild. Hope that by the time the new wave comes in, the Wilpons are in a better financial situation.

I'm so fucking pissed at the Mets. Since when did "aggressive" become an acceptable justification of stupid moves? Realmuto is a nice hitter, but not a middle of the order threat. Conforto and Nimmo are better hitters. Trading for Realmuto makes us worse. Now sure, corner outfielders are easier to find than catchers, but they still cost money. If you trade Nimmo, or Conforto, or Rosario, you have to make that up someplace. That costs money. Why not just sign a catcher?

And tell the Marlins to get the fuck outta here with that Nimmo talk. Nimmo is already a better hitter, younger and more years of control.

Realmuto has surpassed an .800 OPS exactly once. He’s a nice hitter, but not a difference maker. Just keep our young guys and sign Ramos.

Yeah, sure. Let's trade Syndergaard. Easily replaceable with a free agent pitcher. No problem.

New York Mets executive Jeff Wilpon said the team aggressively pushed to acquire Edwin Diaz in part to "block" the rival Philadelphia Phillies from trading for the All-Star closer. Wilpon told reporters Tuesday that the Mets believed that if they failed to agree on a deal with the Mariners, Seattle would ultimately trade Diaz to Philadelphia. Jeff Wilpon: Mets wanted to 'block' rival Phillies from All-Star closer Edwin Diaz Psst! Jeff! The Phillies are also interested in Bryce and Manny! JW: No way we were going to let a closer with electric stuff like that go to the Phillies. TAKE THAT YOU CHEESESTEAK LICKING MUTHAFUCKAS!!!!! Hey Jeff, what about future Hall of Famer Bryce Harper. Are you going to block that too? JW: Nah I'm good.