The Hot Corner

Ba Dum Bum

Valdez would be a solid addition to the Mets rotation. The length of the deal and the amount of money for a starting pitcher seems out of character for Stearns, based upon his track record.

I think that Rogers would be well worth retaining if possible. He is unique, but more importantly he is effective and durable.

I always liked Nimmo. I appreciated his hustle. He was a solid player the past few years, but his defense has never been stellar and it seems to be slipping even after the move from CF to LF. His poor throwing arm was always a liability. With his contract and his gradual decline, it was likely viewed as necessary to move him sooner rather than later. I will miss him and wish him well in Texas.

Yup. Good analysis.

Well, we can likely eliminate the Mariners as suitors for Alonso's services.

Well, we can likely eliminate the Mariners as suitors for Alanso's services.

I appreciate the time and energy that our devoted administrators/tech support have dedicated to keeping the CPF up and running for so many years. Ben, KC, & Edgy have done an admirable, and often thankless, job of maintaining the CPF for the benefit of our small band of Mets fanatics. I trust them to make the decision on how best to proceed in the future. I will do all in my power to support them, as best I can, with the future of this site. I wish each of you the best moving forward and hope that Ben can find a suitable buyer to continue the wonderful work he has done with the UMDB site. I thank each of you for the work you have done and continue to do on behalf of the CPF community.

I believe that having been shifted from lead-off or second in the order to 4th ("clean up") or fifth in the order likely played into a change in his approach at the plate. Traditionally, the top 2 hitters are viewed as the "table setters" to get on base for the "sluggers" to drive them in. Moving to the middle of the line up, would likely cause him to feel the need to hit the ball with more authority and drive the ball rather than be as selective and work walks to pass as he would have at the top of the order. I know that the traditional batting order roles have shifted (Ohtani hitting leadoff), but I believe it still plays into the thinking and approach of many hitters. I have always felt that Nimmo was well suited to hit in the second spot behind Lindor, because Nimmo can work long counts, draw walks, and bats LH. All of those attributes provide greater opportunities for Lindor to steal bases and get into scoring position while hopefully creating a greater number of RBI opportunities for your best hitter (Soto) in the 3 hole. Many people view line up construction differently, but I'm old school in my thinking.

If it were my call to make, I would be fine with offering 4 years/$80 mil. with a club option for $20 mil. on a 5th year. I would be okay with a club buy out of $3-4 mil. should the club option is not exercised. Since the club was already on the hook for $38 mil. for 2026 & 2027 had Diaz not opted out, that isn't that big a stretch. Of course, it isn't my money nor my call to make.

It just shows how sick and twisted our world has become.

I voted 4 stars. I would have gone 4.5 stars had it been an option. As Gwreck pointed out in his analysis of Cohen's ownership the Mets, the overall result has been positive. Cohen has improved the team, the stadium and the Mets "brand" during his tenure. I doubt anyone would want to go back to the Wilpon era. The results haven't been quite what the fan base had hoped for, particularly this season, but he has given the Mets the resources to be successful. It is up the players to then provide the results.

Yup. It (almost) always comes down to money.

I would love to see Skubal pitching for the Mets, but I can't see giving up that much young talent for a 1 year rental, no matter how good he is. If they could sign him to a 3-4 year extension, then I would probably do it. You can't expect to get that great a pitcher without expecting to surrender a fair amount of prospects/young talent. Withouot being able to secure long-term as a part of that deal, then I would pass.

Taylor definitely should not be counted on to be the starting CF. He however is a wonderful defensive outfielder that can sub for defense late in the game, runs well enough to serve as a pinch runner, and is reasonably inexpensive. So, I have no problem keeping him around in a 4th/5th outfielder role, but he can't be counted on to play a starting role in the outfield.

I could be wrong, but I don't believe Pete's game will age well. He makes his living off one basic skill, he hits the ball hard. He is an elite power hitter. He has also been very durable and reliable. He does not hit for average, he doesn't run well, he fields reasonable well, but with very limited range. His throwing is not a strength. Unfortunately, his rather one dimensional skill set, makes him best suited to be a DH, particularly as he ages. That said, I would love to see the Mets resign Pete. Preferably to a 3 year deal, but I could see going 4 is the numbers aren't too crazy.

I find it interesting that they play the "clown call rules" in extra innings all season, then revert to true and proper baseball for extra innings during the play-offs. They should play real baseball during the regular season as well. Upon edit: I inadvertently posted this in the wrong thread. This was supposed to have been in the World Series Thread.

I'm definitely a fan of the pinstripes. I would prefer they wear them more. I personally believe that the Mets (and most teams) have far too many uniforms styles/combination. All you should need is a classic home (blue pinstipes) and a set away (updated version of the gray) uniform, add a rare special occasion uniform and that's enough. I know it's about marketing and having more styles and products of merchandise, but I am a rather simplistic guy.

West Side Story. It was a highly decorated (10 Academy Awards) musical of the 1960's set in New York city where two rival gangs compete for control their turf on the Upper West Side. Seaver was a highly decorated pitcher (ROY, 3 Cy Young Awards, and 11 time All-Star) that made his name primarily in New York where he helped win the hearts of the cities baseball fans. Who is the Tom Seaver of women's softball?

It would be great to have Skubal, but I don't see it happening. First I doubt he is truly available, at least not until the trade deadline. Secondly, if he somehow is available, the cost in young talent to secure him would almost assuredly be prohibitive. Lastly, David Stearns historically has seemed averse to large, long-term commitments to pitchers. I doubt, he would be open to trading away a large chunk of the farm system he has so carefully built and maintained for any pitcher.

Pete Rose. Like Seaver he had an almost maniacal competitive drive to succeed and be great. Rose's crouching batting stance was as distinctive as was Seaver's drop and drive delivery to the plate. Like Seaver, Rose always got his uniform dirty. Lastly, they both had a reputation for being rather arrogant off the field.* Who was the Tom Seaver of the 1970's Oakland A's? *I hate to equate Saver with Rose in any way, but it was my first thought and so much of it seems to fit.

Diego Segui. He was the closer for the Pilots. Like Seaver in his initial seasons with the Mets, Segui pitched well for an abysmal team. Who is the Tom Seaver of the NY Knicks?

I will go with Albert Einstein. Who is the Tom Seaver of hockey?

Your online with my thinking. In the Alonso Conundrum thread I had said 3 years/$115-120 mil. or 4 years/$145-150 mil. Is the range I would be shooting for if I was the Mets. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

If teams are offering contracts beyond 4 years in length, then I don't expect to see Pete in a Mets uniform next season. I expect at least one team to offer 5-6 years. In that scenario, I am okay with with letting Pete play elsewhere.