Cowtipper

In a very Stearnsian move, the Mets have brought aboard the very mediocre pitcher Joe La Sorsa, who owns a 5.21 ERA and 83 ERA+, and who has a 10.80 ERA and 2.250 WHIP this year. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/09/joe-la-sorsa-elects-free-agency.html

Reed Garrett sent on rehab to the Ham.

Johnson had a winning pedigree. 33rd all-time in wins, a winning record overall, a winning record with every team he managed, the 10th-best winning percentage among managers with 1,000+ wins. Factor in his solid playing career and he becomes a good hybrid case. It seems almost inevitable that Lou Piniella will get in and when he does, it will be hard to deny the likes of a guy like Johnson. He's down the list a little bit, especially considering this era has so many managers that will take precedence (Bochy, Francona, Baker, potential Maddon, Showalter will get attention, potentially Scioscia, Dave Roberts, potentially AJ Hinch), but I think Johnson is an eventual inevitability. People debate the merits of Gene Mauch to this day...if a losing manager with no pennants continues to get that much support, then a guy like Johnson should have more than enough to get him over the bump.

LOL, that was pretty funny, Fman. Good one.

All aboard the Sproat boat, baby!

Good for him. Boo to her. Imagine being like 70 years old and getting that fussy about a baseball. I'm glad Harrison Bader helped make things right. [[YOUTUBE]ZUMgHfcQACY[/YOUTUBE]

Should've been elected to the Hall of Fame while he was alive. But now, as often happens (Dick Allen for example) they waited until he croaked to give him the nod.

Could be a good move. In 2001, Steve Trachsel went 10-7 with a 3.35 ERA after a stint in the minors; before that, his ERA was 8.24.

In a very Stearnsian move, the Mets claimed extremely mediocre reliever Wander Suero off waivers from Atlanta. He owns a 4.96 career ERA, an ERA+ of 88 and has a 11.37 ERA this season. https://sny.tv/articles/mets-claim-wander-suero-waivers-braves

I imagine because it isn't 1913 anymore.

No specific memories. A very lucky pitcher with a WHIP near 1.800. ERA of 2.35, ERA+ of 175, WHIP of 1.800. Those sorts of numbers can't happen too often.

Good to see Sproat make it. Tong, Sproat, MacLean—a good group. I still have faith in Hamel, too, but he'll probably do better in a bullpen role. Not a lot of young depth immediately available, but this fella named Dylan Ross (a reliever) is also at Triple-A and he's doing very well.

Reed Garrett's smoke and mirrors. His ERA since June is over 6. Ryne Stanek has an ERA over 5 and ERA+ below 80. Gregory Soto barely has a career ERA+ over 100 and a career WHIP over 1.400. Diaz is the only sure bet in the bunch, and even he's had issues in the past. Helsley's fortunes aren't looking promising. Raley is an aging late bloomer coming off an injury, so his immediate future is wishy washy. The last time the Mets had bullpens I had any confidence in was 2021-2022. This year's version is so bad because it's been stocked by a rotating door of Quadruple-A guys ... Garrett Brazoban Warren Devenski Herget Hagenman Waddell Kranick Castillo Garcia Danny Young Garza Lovelady Carrillo Adcock All those one-game guys. A stable team requires a stable of stable pitchers and the method of throwing poop at the wall to see what sticks for a few games doesn't work long term. The Mets were on pace for 100+ games earlier in the season and even though that wasn't sustainable, 90+ wins seemed like a good expectation. Now if they get to 85-87 wins they'll be lucky, in large part because of the pitching decisions they have made.

Seems like the Stearns strategy of having a revolving door of Quadruple-A pitchers is completely stupid and doesn't work. Gee, whodathunkit.

I truly cannot believe Rafael Montero has lasted in the majors as long as he has.

DFA Helsley and just cut your losses now.

Who knew Helsley would be so bad?

Magic numbers: 1st place in the division: 30 2nd Wild Card spot: 25 3rd Wild Card spot: 19

I hope they win.

Stephen Tarpley, who played for the Mets in 2021, is 4-4 with a 5.74 ERA in 17 games (16 starts) for the Sultanes de Monterrey in Mexico. Julio Teheran, who played for the Mets in 2024, was 4-3 with a 6.95 ERA in 14 games (12 starts) for the Toros de Tijuana in Mexico before being released in July. Ruben Tejada, who played for the Mets from 2010-2015 and in 2019, has hit .249 with no home runs in 181 at-bats between the Olmecas de Tabasco and Caliente de Durango in Mexico. Blade Tidwell, who played for the Mets in 2025, has a 1.69 ERA in 16 innings for the Giants Triple-A club in Sacramento since being traded. Michael Tonkin, who pitched for the Mets in 2024, is 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 13 relief appearances for the Twins. He has a 2-0 mark and 4.50 ERA in 19 games between two minor league stops. Nick Tropeano, who pitched for the Mets in 2021, had a 10.29 ERA in 2 starts for the Long Island Ducks before being released in June. Justin Turner, who played for the Mets from 2010 to 2013, is hitting .215/.284/.315 with 3 home runs and 15 RBI in 71 games off the bench for the Cubs. -- Now let's go over how some more minor leaguers the Mets traded, but who never actually played for the Mets, are doing this year. Also noted are minor leaguers who were received in trades that are no longer in the Mets system. Deolis Guerra played in the Mets system in 2006 and 2007. He was traded for Johan Santana in 2008. He is 5-0 with a 3.54 ERA in 28 games (5 starts) between the Saraperos de Saltillo and Diablos Rojos del Mexico. Jefry Marte played in the Mets system from 2008 to 2012. He was traded to the Athletics for Collin Cargill in 2012. He is hitting .195 with 4 home runs and 19 RBI in 30 games for the Milwaukee Milkmen this year.

Ali Sanchez was apparently sent back to the Red Sox for cash.

Fernando Salas, who played for the Mets in 2016 and 2017, is 2-4 with 17 saves and a 4.50 ERA in 35 relief appearances for the Olmecas de Tabasco in Mexico. Ali Sanchez, who played for the Mets in 2020, hit .227 in 22 at-bats between the Blue Jays and Red Sox. He has hit .274 with 6 homers and 32 RBI in 57 games between two Triple-A stops. He briefly rejoined the Mets organization in August, but on August 31, the Mets sent him back to the Red Sox. Gary Sanchez, who played for the Mets in 2023, hit .231 with 5 home runs and 24 RBI in 29 games for the Orioles. He slashed .364/.417/.818 with 3 homers and 8 RBI in 7 games for their Triple-A club in Norfolk. He's currently on the 60-day IL. Yolmer Sanchez, who played for the Mets in 2022, is hitting .245/.353/.328 with 4 homers and 32 RBI in 111 games for the Angels Triple-A club in Salt Lake City. Dennis Santana, who pitched for the Mets in 2023, is 4-5 with 11 saves, a 2.33 ERA and a 184 ERA+ in 58 games for the Pirates. Hector Santiago, who pitched for the Mets in 2019, is supposedly with the Acereros de Monclova in Mexico, but hasn't played this year. Max Scherzer, who played for the Mets in 2022 and 2023, is 5-2 with a 4.11 ERA in 13 starts for the Blue Jays. He has a 2.08 ERA in 2 Triple-A starts. Luis Severino, who played for the Mets in 2024, is 6-11 with a 4.82 ERA in 24 starts for the Athletics. Paul Sewald, who pitched for the Mets from 2017 to 2020, is 1-1 with a 4.70 ERA in 18 relief appearances for the Guardians. He was traded to the Tigers at the deadline, but has yet to pitch for them, as he is on the 60-day IL. He has a 4.50 mark in 4 minor league innings. Zack Short, who played for the Mets in 2024, is hitting .220 with 2 homers and 7 RBI in 50 at-bats for the Astros. He's hit .211 with 15 homers and 44 RBI in 94 games for their Triple-A club in Sugar Land. Chasen Shreve, who pitched for the Mets in 2020 and 2022, played briefly in the Braves system in 2025, posting a 7.64 ERA in 5 games (4 starts) for their Triple-A club in Gwinnett before being let go in late April. Chance Sisco, who played for the Mets in 2021, is hitting .298/.400/.572 with 17 homers, 61 RBI and 38 doubles in 94 games for the independent Chicago Dogs. Dominic Smith, who played for the Mets from 2017 to 2022, is hitting .281/.337/.404 with 4 home runs and 30 RBI in 56 games for the Giants. He began the season in the Yankees system, hitting .255/.333/.448 with 8 home runs and 28 RBI in 45 games for their Triple-A club in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. DJ Stewart, who played for the Mets in 2023 and 2024, began 2025 in the Pirates system, but after hitting .125 (!!) in 136 at-bats over 45 games for their Triple-A club in Indianapolis, he was let go in late June. He still managed 5 homers and 20 RBI. Robert Stock, who pitched for the Mets in 2021, had a 10.13 mark in 2 2/3 innings for the Red Sox. For their Triple-A club in Worcester, he was 5-4 with a 3.92 ERA in 19 games (15 starts), striking out 96 in 85 innings. He was released in mid-August. Hunter Strickland, who played for the Mets in 2020, is 1-2 with a 3.27 ERA in 19 relief appearances for the Angels. He began the season in the Rangers chain, but was released in May. Between two Triple-A stops, he was 1-3 with a 7.36 ERA in 15 relief appearances. He's currently on the 60-day IL. Marcus Stroman, who played for the Mets in 2019 and 2021, was 3-2 with a 6.23 ERA in 9 starts for the Yankees before being released in early August. He had a 6.97 ERA in 3 starts for their Double-A team in Somerset. Cole Sulser, who pitched for the Mets in 2024, is 2-1 with a 3.21 ERA in 13 games for the Rays. For their Triple-A club in Durham, he is 3-0 with a 1.34 ERA in 29 appearances. Noah Syndergaard, who pitched for the Mets from 2015 to 2021, was 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 23 1/3 innings between two minor league stops in the White Sox chain before being released in early August. Thomas Szapucki, who pitched for the Mets in 2021 and 2022, had a 0.68 ERA in 12 relief appearances between three stops in the Tigers minor league system. He was released in early August. -- Now let's go over how some more minor leaguers the Mets traded, but who never actually played for the Mets, are doing this year. Also noted are minor leaguers who were received in trades that are no longer in the Mets system. Ricardo Cespedes played in the Mets system from 2014 to 2017. He was traded to the Marlins in 2017 for AJ Ramos. He is hitting .318 with 15 RBI in 40 games for El Aguila de Veracruz in Mexico. Luis Cessa pitched in the Mets system from 2011 to 2015. He was traded to the Tigers for Yoenis Cespedes in 2015. He is 4-3 with a 4.83 ERA in 12 starts for the Sultanes de Monterrey in Mexico. Justin Dunn pitched in the Mets system from 2016 to 2018. He was traded with others to the Mariners for Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz in 2018. He's played in the White Sox and Royals systems this year, going 2-10 with a 9.67 ERA in 19 games (14 starts) between three minor league stops. His WHIP is over 2.100, though he has also averaged more than a K per inning. He was released in early August. Michael Fulmer pitched in the Mets system from 2011 to 2015. He was traded to the Tigers for Yoenis Cespedes in 2015. He began 2025 in the Cubs system, was granted free agency in June, signed with the the Royals in July, was released in August and signed with the Mariners a few days later. At the big league level, he has a 4.76 mark in 3 relief appearances. In the minors, he's 1-3 with a 3.79 ERA in 38 games; he has 74 Ks in 59 1/3 innings. John Gant pitched in the Mets system from 2011 to 2015. He was traded to the Braves for Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe in 2015. He was 2-1 with a 1.74 ERA in 4 starts for the indy Long Island Ducks before latching on with the Royals. He's currently 4-3 with a 6.47 ERA in 16 starts for the Royals Triple-A club in Omaha. Jarred Kelenic played in the Mets system in 2018. He was traded to the Mariners in the same trade as above. In 60 ABs for Atlanta, he's hit .167 with 2 home runs and 2 RBI; in 350 ABs for their Triple-A club in Gwinnett, he's hit .220 with 4 homers and 28 RBI. Burch Smith never played in the Mets system, having been taken by them in the 2017 Rule V Draft and instantly traded to the Royals. He pitched in the Orioles chain this year, posting a 6.75 mark with 28 Ks over 21 1/3 innings at two minor league stops. He was released in late July.

Who was Randy Moffitt? Randy Moffitt (1948–2025) was an American Major League Baseball relief pitcher, best known for his decade-long tenure with the San Francisco Giants. Born in Long Beach, California, and the younger brother of tennis legend Billie Jean King, he played for the Giants (1972–1981), Houston Astros (1982), and Toronto Blue Jays (1983). Drafted by the Giants in the first round in 1970, he became a reliable reliever, recording 96 saves and ranking among the National League’s top ten in saves and games pitched multiple times. Moffitt’s career was disrupted in 1979 by a rare intestinal infection caused by Cryptosporidium, which led to significant illness and time away from the game. Despite this setback, he returned to pitch for two more teams before retiring after the 1983 season. Over his career, he made 534 appearances, finishing 306 games. He was honored on the San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame for his contributions. Moffitt passed away in his hometown of Long Beach on August 28, 2025, at the age of 76, following a long illness. Rich Hinton died. https://tucson.com/sports/subscriber/article_48c7ac7f-471e-4e44-95ce-033ba9f9f86c.html Who was Rich Hinton? Rich Hinton (1947–2025) was an American left-handed pitcher who played parts of six Major League Baseball seasons between 1971 and 1979. A native of Tucson, Arizona, and a University of Arizona standout, he was drafted five times before signing with the Chicago White Sox in 1969. Hinton’s career was marked by frequent moves: he pitched for the White Sox in three separate stints, as well as for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds, and Seattle Mariners. Though mostly a reliever, he started occasionally and threw the only two complete games of his career in 1978, his best major-league season. Over 152 career strikeouts, a 9–17 record, and a 4.87 ERA, Hinton was remembered as a journeyman pitcher who carved out a role on the fringes of the majors. His son, Robert Hinton, later played professionally in the minors from 2004 to 2013. Hinton died in August 2025 at the age of 78.

Mets promoted Justin Hagenman and Luisangel Acuna.

Erasmo Ramirez, who played for the Mets in 2020, is 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 9 relief appearances for the Twins. He is 1-1 with a 5.63 ERA in 11 games between two minor league stops. Yohan Ramirez, who played for the Mets in 2024, is 1-2 with a 6.04 ERA in 16 relief appearances with the Pirates. In 25 1/3 innings, he has 35 Ks. He is 2-1 with a 3.19 ERA in 27 appearances for their Triple-A club in Indianapolis. Sean Reid-Foley, who played for the Mets from 2021 to 2024, was let go early in 2025. He latched on with the Diamondbacks, going 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA in 16 relief appearances for their Triple-A club in Reno, but was released in late July. He had 19 walks in 14 innings for Reno. Jack Reinheimer, who played for the Mets in 2018, is hitting .244/.354/.390 with 12 home runs, 54 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 98 games for the Gastonia Ghost Peppers in 2025. Denyi Reyes, who pitched for the Mets in 2023, was 4-3 with a 4.14 ERA in 10 starts for the Samsung Lions in Korea, before they released him in mid-June. Pablo Reyes, who played for the Mets in 2024, hit .194 in 31 at-bats for the Yankees Triple-A club in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before they let him go. He latched on with the Mets and though he hit .289/.385/.484 with 6 homers and 25 RBI for Syracuse, he was released in late August. David Robertson, who pitched for the Mets in 2023, is 1-0 with a 1.17 ERA in 9 relief appearances for the Phillies; he has 12 Ks in 7 2/3 innings. He was 0-1 with a 10.13 ERA in 6 relief appearances for their Triple-A club in Lehigh Valley. Amed Rosario, who played for the Mets from 2017 to 2020, is hitting .283/.318/.424 with 5 homers and 19 RBI in 56 games between the Nationals (.270 BA) and Yankees (.389 BA). -- Now let's go over how some more minor leaguers the Mets traded, but who never actually played for the Mets, are doing this year. Also noted are minor leaguers who were received in trades that are no longer in the Mets system. Ross Adolph played in the Mets system in 2018. He was traded to the Astros for J.D. Davis and Cody Bohanek in 2019. He is currently hitting .285/.395/.436 with 8 home runs, 29 RBI and 18 steals in 90 games for the independent Kansas City Monarchs. Kenedy Corona played in the Mets system in 2019. He was traded to the Astros for Jake Marisnick in 2019. He went hitless in 2 ABs for the Astros this year and has a .212 average with 6 home runs, 33 RBI and 15 steals in 107 games for their Triple-A club in Sugar Land. Ryder Ryan played in the Mets system from 2017 to 2019. He was traded to the Rangers for Ariel Jurado in 2020. He is currently 5-1 with a 3.99 ERA in 37 games (2 starts) for the Pirates Triple-A club in Indianapolis. Kevin Smith played in the Mets system from 2018 to 2019. He was traded to the Orioles for Miguel Castro in 2020. He is currently 0-2 with a 6.97 ERA in 5 starts for the independent Gastonia Ghost Peppers. Felix Valerio played in the Mets system in 2018. He was traded to the Brewers for Keon Broxton in 2019. He is currently hitting .182 in 33 at-bats for the independent Ottawa Titans. Simeon Woods Richardson played in the Mets system from 2018-2019. He was traded to the Blue Jays for Marcus Stroman in 2019. He is currently 5-4 with a 4.59 ERA in 18 games (17 starts) for the Twins; at Triple-A, he was 2-0 with a 4.43 mark in 5 games (4 starts).