Cowtipper

Because Stearns likes signing unproven indy league guys and putting them on the Major League roster and sending down good relievers with major league pedigrees, Chris Devenski is no longer with us as he has elected free agency rather than suffer the ignominy of being demoted to the minors.

The best Denehy in Mets history. RIP.

Gee, I was off by 2. You sure got me.

99 career ERA+, 4.39 ERA & 4.0 BB/9 since 2023. Another ****** Stearns half-measure pitching move. Stearns only seems to care about whether the pitcher has velocity and a high K/9, and not whether the pitcher is actually good.

It looks like all their draft picks have signed. From the undrafted heap, they signed Chase Meggers, Austin Brown, Jonah Conradt, Ryan Dollar, Parker Carlson and also an international guy named Jhony Osoria.

Now of course we wouldn't get just Suarez back for those guys. We'd also get many prospects, thereby refreshing our eternal optimism that our deep system will finally pay off, though it rarely does.

Oh, I thought there was something going on between R&D and the PR department in the front office.

Baty and Vientos are both a few months away from 26 so you're not risking losing phenoms anymore. They can both go, and hey, throw Brandon Sproat, Dom Hamel and Christian Scott in there, too.

Kyle Gibson and Daniel Bard have retired.

These two teams are still available; two others (unlisted above) have been claimed.

You won't get a high average from him, but he could be this year's Cespedes. (or Jay Bruce). But I wouldn't be opposed to him.

I'll be there :-)

Jim Clancy died. https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/longtime-toronto-blue-jays-pitcher-jim-clancy-dies-at-69-201559219.html Who was Jim Clancy? James Clancy (1955–2025) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher best known for his 12 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he was a foundational arm during the franchise’s early years. Drafted by the Texas Rangers in 1974, Clancy was later selected by the Blue Jays in the 1976 expansion draft. He made his MLB debut in 1977 and quickly became a rotation mainstay, known for his durability and workhorse mentality. His best season came in 1982, when he led the league in starts, posted a 16–14 record, and was named an All-Star. Though inconsistent at times, Clancy recorded eight double-digit win seasons, pitched over 200 innings six times, and ranks among Toronto’s all-time leaders in wins, innings, and losses. After leaving Toronto following the 1988 season, Clancy signed with the Houston Astros, where he struggled before transitioning to a bullpen role. In 1991, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves, where he contributed to their National League pennant run and earned a win in the World Series. Clancy retired in 1992 after a brief stint with the Cubs in spring training. He passed away on July 12, 2025, at the age of 69. Jeff Bittiger died. https://nypost.com/2025/07/20/sports/jeff-bittiger-former-mets-draft-pick-and-mlb-pitcher-dead-at-63/ Who was Jeff Bittiger? Jeffrey Scott Bittiger (1962–2025) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played four seasons in Major League Baseball from 1986 to 1989, appearing with the Philadelphia Phillies, Minnesota Twins, and Chicago White Sox. A New Jersey native, Bittiger was drafted out of Secaucus High School by the New York Mets in 1980. Originally a third baseman, he transitioned to pitching in 1981 and helped lead the Mets’ AAA affiliate to a championship in 1983. After years in the minors, he debuted in the majors with the Phillies in 1986, famously hitting a home run and earning his first win in the same game. He later joined the Twins in 1987, pitching briefly during their championship season, and had his most active big league year with the White Sox in 1988, appearing in 25 games. After a short stint with the Dodgers organization, he continued to pitch in the minors until 1996, finishing with a career minor league record of 193–115. After retiring as a player, Bittiger worked as a scout for the Oakland Athletics and a consultant for the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. He died on July 19, 2025, at the age of 63. Otis Thornton died. https://www.robertsfuneralservices.com/obituary/mr-otis-thornton-jr Who was Otis Thornton? Otis Benjamin Thornton (1945–2025) was an American professional baseball catcher who played a single day in Major League Baseball, appearing in both games of a doubleheader for the Houston Astros on July 6, 1973, against the Montreal Expos at Jarry Park. Selected in the 68th round of the 1965 MLB draft, Thornton spent years in the Astros’ minor league system before his brief appearance in the majors. During his lone day at the big-league level, he went 0-for-3 with one RBI, making him one of the few players whose entire MLB career took place outside the United States. Thornton passed away in 2025 at the age of 79.

Jose Butto sent to Syracuse for rehab. Rafael Ortega sent on rehab to FCL Mets. They signed a couple fellas named Jahzeel Montas and Aurelvys Batista.

Pete Alonso: Alonso has been diagnosed with a right hand contusion near the base of his thumb, explaining his absence from the starting lineup Sunday versus Cincinnati, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. Importantly, X-rays on Alonso's hand came back negative, and he may be available to play off the bench. The slugger would need to do so in order to extend his franchise-record streak of 353 consecutive regular-season games played. It doesn't sound like the Mets are concerned about Alonso dealing with a significant injury, so at this point an IL stint doesn't seem to be likely. Injury Hand. Day-to-day. Paul Blackburn: Blackburn (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with the Mets' Florida Complex League affiliate Friday. A previous report indicated Blackburn's rehab stint would begin at Single-A St. Lucie on Friday, but he'll get his start in the FCL instead. He's expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list in late July, and will likely fill a long relief role with the Mets' rotation nearly at full strength. Injury Shoulder. Est. Return 7/25/2025. Jose Butto: Butto's (illness) rehab assignment will continue at Triple-A Syracuse on Friday. Butto made an appearance with the Mets' Florida Complex League affiliate Tuesday and will continue his rehab stint at Triple-A. Considering he's recovering from an illness instead of a physical injury, Butto likely won't need more than one or two more rehab appearances before being activated. Injury Illness. Est. Return 7/21/2025. Max Kranick: Kranick (elbow) will likely undergo Tommy John surgery, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. Kranick was diagnosed with a right flexor strain in late June, and after receiving a second opinion on his elbow, he's expected to undergo his second Tommy John surgery in three years. There's still a chance he undergoes a flexor tendon repair surgery, but for now, the expectation is Tommy John. The 27-year-old logged a 3.65 ERA in 37 innings of relief for the Mets this season. Regardless of which procedure he has, he'll be out for the rest of 2025 and could miss a large portion of 2026. Injury Elbow. Est. Return 2/1/2027. Jesse Winker: Winker (back) recently had an epidural and will be shut down for 7-to-10 days, Laura Albanese of Newsday reported Friday. Winker received an injection to address the pain in his back and will be shut down for at least one week. The 31-year-old has been on the shelf since July 11, and Friday's news likely means he won't be back until August. Injury Back. Est. Return 8/1/2025. Due back soon: Starling Marte Jose Siri

No, I was wondering if he'd inspected his anus for any high quality pitchers.

What the hell is Stearns supposed to do ? Pull out a Sandy Koufax and a Bob Gibson and a Randy Johnson out of his ass? Has he even tried?

Mets call up Kevin Herget (who they just reacquired) and send down Brandon Waddell. Waddell's ERA is under 6 and Stearns only likes guys who travel in the 8-10.00 ERA range. Me every time Stearns makes a pitching move:

He has yet to really suck in his career, so he's a surer bet than the umpteenth waiver claim that hasn't pitched in the majors since 2022 with a 6.54 career ERA. The Mets should give him and Kimbrel a shot. Kimbrel is wasting away in the minors right now and even since he started his decline, he's still pitched about as well as perhaps an Ottavino.

Was it noted that Chris Williams was released? Also, the Diamondbacks signed Anthony Gose.

They should give Jared Porter another shot.

I'm sure Billy Eppler and Brodie are still available if you'd rather have them. I give Stearns the benefit of the doubt. I miss Jim Duquette.

I stole it from Johnny Lunchbucket.

Poche was re-signed. Zach Poop will probably be re-signed to a $5 million big league deal and put in the closer's role.

I remember thinking he was just another stupid transient Stearns acquisition. And I was right!