Centerfield

Two years, $16.5 million. It’s stupid we couldn’t sign him for that.

The "un" nickname was dumb. But LOBin Ventura is one of my favorites to this day.

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Peeps forget the offense was actually okay last year. That said if the Mets get Doodoo back I guess that means they're pretty CAHNfident Smith is going to suck. Or it's a hedge made by a win now team. I'd have no issue with Duda on a 1 year deal, but again, if the resources are limited, there might be better uses.

Still in on McCutch according to John Harper.

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Granderson and Zeile were both good hires who went to the world series. Bay was a swing-and-miss. I remember being very disappointed with Zeile, but looked it up and he had an .823 OPS in 2000!

A Boy Named Seo wrote: Indifferent. In a vacuum, Jay Bruce is fine, should be a decent value even if he doesn't replicate his good 2017 season, and he makes them team a better than a Jay Bruce-less Mets team. Big picture, I think we could've gotten a better fit somewhere, maybe a right-handed slugger OF/1B, maybe a real CF allowing us to put Conforto in RF, or an outlandish trade for a slugging infielder. I hope, but am doubtful, that more "big" moves are to follow. In the near-term dystopian future where the Mets have a DH position, I would have clicked "like". Agree with this, but I went with dislike. I would have picked slightly dislike if that were an option.

The "Are you happy now?" questions are annoying. No, I'm not happy. I want the Mets to spend like a big market team. A three year deal to a middling player being the marquee move of the winter does not qualify as that. I'll be happy when they have the financial capability and willingness to field a championship level team.

So after sleeping on it and trying to sell myself on Bruce I find I'm still pretty underwhelmed. Some thoughts: *This serves to eliminate a lot of options. You have to figure all other OF options are gone. So no McCutchen, no Cain, and no stunner for JD Martinez. You also have to figure this eliminates Duda. I thought that if the Mets got a RH top of the order-ish guy (McCutchen, Cain), then Lucas might be a bargain basement 1 year power fill in as a hedge for Dominic Smith. *Bruce is probably the "big splash" for the Mets. They will cite his 30+ HR's and talk about how they got a legitimate power guy for the middle of the lineup. Bruce certainly has power. His HR's were no doubters last year (this is something I was worried about having seen him play in that bandbox in Cincy). But he's really just not good at anything else. Was hoping for a guy that hits for average, gets on base, and does damage against elite pitchers. Right handed would be a plus. Bruce does none of this. *This "second tier" contract is such a Mets move. Granderson, Bay, Zeile.

Benjamin Grimm wrote: This outcome really surprised me, but the people have spoken and IN THE BIG INNING has narrowly defeated MR. 300 and will advance, as the sole remaining New York Post cover, to the Final Four. Voting will resume on Monday. It was inevitable once I picked the other to win it all. It's too bad, it was the one cover this year that I genuinely liked. Granderson's time here kinda transcends this season, and it would have been a nice way to send him off. Sorry Curtis. I guess your covers suck too.

Benjamin Grimm wrote: What are the odds that Ceetar uses the word "garbage" somewhere in this thread? I'm guessing "meh".

Frayed Knot wrote: I guess it also means the end of either Lagares or Nimmo as a NYM. Probably Lagares as he's too expensive to keep around as a 4th OF I was thinking just the opposite. With the Bruce signing, our OF defense remains pretty weak. You almost have to keep Lagares as he's the only real CF on the whole team. I think McCutchen or Cain would have meant Juan gone. Plus, I'm curious to see what he's going to do this spring. Swing doctor. Pics show him getting jacked up and hammering tractor tires. (I didn't know tractor tires needed to be hammered.) He's either going to hit 50 HR's or tear his pectoral in March.

Never been a big fan of Bruce. One dimensional player. Hopefully he can be a bit more consistent. 3 years 39 million though. Not a huge commitment so that’s good. Still need more help but I’m not about to complain when they do something.

I was here earlier, but fucking Mota threw his glove at me.

Sorry I'm late to the meeting guys! Was out with Sam Miceli. Did you know her dad played with the Cardinals? Ok. The Meeting of Guys Who Homered in their First At-Bat is now in session!

An underwhelming finalist. Let's hope that the Mets do better next year so at least the TCD is more satisfying.

Ok. An easy one to rebuild our self-esteem. Hey guys! Looking forward to being your pitching coach. Do you guys know any hot clubs in NY? You're in it baby! Yeah dude, our club is much cooler than the walks club. I mean like, Olerud is their president. Loser. Did someone say loser?

Hey guys, can I play?

I got 25. Some of those are just dead wrong.

We really only need one of them to sustain that strong finish, but if they both do, that’s a nice problem to have.

Not that we are anywhere close but I would guess that counts for the luxury tax right?

Am I crazy for being kinda excited about Plawecki’s strong finish? It’s sustainable!

[crossout:2x6fj4rh]Something to do with Canada Something to do with playing for other teams in NY Guys who hit for the cycle[/crossout:2x6fj4rh] People who have never been in my kitchen

That's Tony Phillips.

Now, a clever UMDB guy would never make this club about uniform numbers, because he would know that only a great fool would think it's about uniform numbers. I'm not a great fool, so I can clearly eliminate uniform numbers as a common theme. But you must have known I was not a great fool; you would have counted on it, so I can clearly concentrate on uniform numbers.