Edgy MD

I did not know AI was intruding upon sports broadcast direction. DeMarsico produced impressive broadcasts. Some really dramatic divided screens. He also introduced an interesting way of showing the bases loaded with fast-action pans from base to base that, for all I know, was done with AI assistance. It kind of felt artificial and creepy, but mostly I really liked his scene-setting.

I'm glad that, having traded Truman Pauley, we still have at least one guy with a name that sounds like a public intellectual from the 1950s.

Mets Roster Central is working tirelessly to perform roster update duties, but cannot keep up. And in so struggling to keep up, they cannot complete the fully automated system they are otherwise trying to perfect. So let this thread be a pre-emptive shout out that the ever-transacting Mets have moved to deepen their versatility profile and added infield/outfield utility dude Vidal Bruján from the Twins, in exchange for a mysterious briefcase filled with cash. Viddy has played every position on the field that doesn't require a mask. He has floated among five teams in his 261 MLB games, including three teams last year alone. He can't even stay put in the winter, as the Twins picked him up off waivers from the Braves only eight days ago, and here he is getting his Mets on. While calling VB a switch-hitter may be a stretch — as his career .579 OPS suggests that he is more of a switch-batter — he is coming off some of the best MLB ball of his career with the Braves over the last two months of 2025. In corresponding moves to all this acquisitiveness, yesterday, the Mets designated swingman Cooper Criswell (claimed off waivers from the Sawx back on December 5) and infielder Tsung-Che Cheng (claimed off waivers from the Rays about 10 minutes ago) for assignment. Then they got up in the morning and DFA'd Dickie Lovelady today. David Stearns is not drinking decaf. [FIMG=500]https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/GettyImages-2243295803.jpg?w=1024[/FIMG]

"To the Mets organization, thank you for giving me an opportunity and for allowing me the space to grow - through both failure and success." "Thank you to the fans for welcoming me with open arms and supporting me through every high and low. To my teammates and everyone in the organization, you will always have a special place in my heart." — ✈️ Williams

They are going to have to move somebody, as Peralta has already expanded their rotation to six. Seven is right out.

Jett has a cool name. Brandon has a cheesy mustache.

I would be very interested in seeing the math on this. For what it is worth, the deal that sent alpha-Shawn Abner to San Diego included five Shawn Abners in total, and one turned out to be an MVP.

I don't know what "terribly available" means, but there is no indication that he was "close to bust," except that we are all pretty close to bust at any given time. He suffered an injury in 2024 that was supposed to cost him the full season, but he still managed to get back on the field for a full 33 games, and another 22 in the AFL. He returned for a full season in 2025, and again performed at peak level, with all of his skill set engaged.

I went for Jett, but I weep for both of 'em. The National League this year will be filled with rookie (and otherwise young) Mets who aren't Mets.

Marvin Miller, Tom Seaver, and Reggie Smith are not amused.

We are all unproven.

Still got Scott. But who knows for what?

There would have been plenty of room for Williams. Robert is in the last year of his contract, and Semien might well not be a regular by the time his contract is done.

****ity.

Lost in all the roster doings of the last few days, we have not properly noted the signing of veteran reliever Luis Garcia. The Mets have welcomed the 39-year-old on a big-league deal, so they are teed up to become the 11th MLB team he has pitched for, which is pretty impressive considering he originally packed it in when he was 24 after not getting past high-A, and trained to become a barber, missing all of 2011 and appearing in only 9 games in the Can-Am League in 2012 before his fortunes turned. Luis — who shouldn't be confused with the other Luis Garcia on the Astros who has that weird rocking-the-baby windup — has had three separate stints with the Angels alone. His main calling card is the slider. [FIMG=500]https://library.sportingnews.com/styles/crop_style_16_9_desktop/s3/2024-07/USATSI_23646057.jpg?h=76742c2e&itok=lFP7Z_ga[/FIMG]

Jared Young may have scant MLB track record, but he is a professional hitter, with options, that plays all over the field. You may not want to need him, but you will need him some time or another in a given season. You dump him, and you are looking for someone just like him the next day. LONG LIVE JARED! (That said, his 40-man roster spot is probably not the most secure thing in the world.)

I guess that is as authoritative as we might get for now. Probably not the last word, but the working title, anyhow.

Centerfield has a thread with a lineup that has Brett Baty as the opening day left fielder. I have a thread that has Jorge Polanco as the opening day left fielder. FanGraphs projects that it's going to be Carson Benge (with Tyrone Taylor platooning against the lefties). I don't think there is a strong case for any of those scenarios, but one of them could turn out to be the reality. With most of the other defensive positions set (Polanco being generally targeted for first), how is this going to shake? [FIMG=450]https://live.staticflickr.com/3603/3396368213_7395c1748e_b.jpg[/FIMG]

FLEXING INTO THE OUTFIELD ===The Brett Baty Story===

So, that's a no on the question of anybody reading anything about the Mets' intent to use Baty in the outfield?

Luis Robert will presumably be able to fill the Designated Cuban chair that has been tragically vacant since the departure of Jose Iglesias.

Not mentioned is that this deal also included sending Truman Pauley — lefthanded pitcher, 2005 12th-rounder out of Harvard, and possibly Lyndon Johnson's national security advisor — to Chicago in the package. Tru only got 4 1/3 innings of A-Ball action this summer before his Metly dream was violently shattered last eve.

Well, I have not seen the annual distribution of his salaries, but that fat $20 million bonus up front suggests some frontloading.

Have the Mets spoken to the notion of Baty in the outfield, now that the Bichette deal is official?

I do not know who the opening day leftfielder will be, but I don't think it will be Baty.