REPORT: Mets ACQUIRE Ji Hwan Bae & Jose Castillo, Edwin Diaz Contract NEWS, Richardson News REVEALED

REPORT: Mets ACQUIRE Ji Hwan Bae & Jose Castillo, Edwin Diaz Contract NEWS, Richardson News REVEALED

How we doing everybody? It’s Wardy here and as you can see we’re back at it breaking down all the latest in Mets land. And today, that being November 6, 2025, not only is it the official start of MLB free agency, but the New York Mets have wasted absolutely no time making some roster moves getting set for 2026. As we’re going to break down the latest acquisitions of Juan Giwan Bay, as well as the return of Jose Castillo, who the Mets lost in a waiverss throughout the course of the season to the Seattle Mariners, but are now bringing him back there this time from the Baltimore Orioles. We’re going to break down each of these individual players, their games, and their expected roles for the 2026 season. From there, we’re going to get into what is happening with Edwin Diaz and the latest regarding a new contract. We’re going to break down where the Mets currently stand based on latest reporting, and ultimately what is likely to happen this offseason between the New York Mets and Edwin. From there, we’re also going to break down what is happening with Antoine Richardson, as we did yesterday. Our immediate reaction is seeing both Antoine and Jeremy Hefner leave the Mets organization to join the Atlanta Braves in a lateral move. For Hefner, we knew this wasn’t a shock given the fact that the Mets parted ways with him. But for Antoine, there’s been a contract dispute and there’s been a lot of uncertainty as to what led to this point. Yesterday, I was kicking and screaming and crying how David Sterns maybe did not pony up the dough. Today, I’m here to correct myself and break down these further details and why Antoine Richardson is no longer the coveted Mets first base coach. that and so much more in Mets land, including the official announcement of their new third base coach that we broke down a couple days ago, but we’ll reaffirm right here, right now is what we’re going to get into. 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And I’ll break down each and every one of those things as why exactly that is. Now starting here as you guys can see both Peter Lonzo and Juan Sodto have officially been anointed as silver slugger winners for this year. Congratulations to both of them. For Juan, this isn’t surprising. He has now been a silver slugger for six consecutive years. But the bigger takeaway is Pete Alonzo, who for the first time in his career is in fact landing that silver slugger award there out of the first base position out of the National League. Alonzo, who is actively a free agent as we know, who obviously will be having quite the back and forth this off seasonason as a Scott Boris client with David Sterns and Steve Cohen and everyone else in company. What we do know is that Alonzo was unbelievably valuable to the Mets this past year. The home run came for the Mets in more ways than one. 38 home runs, almost 130 RBI’s. What is your not to love with Alonzo? And between himself and Janoto, as you guys see there from my stat there, check it out at the Wam. Give me a follow on X should you guys have interest for our main account. And for my personal account where I have more of my hot takes, reactions, whether you love him or hate him. Head over to Wardian Wam on X. Basically the same thing but a little bit different. We see a combined 81 home runs and 231 RBI’s between the two. Now, this is a duo that we would love to see more than a one and done. You know, Juan Sto was a oneanddone in the Bronx as a duo with Aaron Judge, but we don’t want to see it be a oneanddone of him as a duo with the Polar Bear and Peter Allonzo. And the only exception that is if it is going to be a oneanddone, the Mets must make sure that they supplement the proper offense for this team next season in a scenario where Allonzo walks either based on their decisions, that being Sterns and Cohen, or more so Allonzo’s stubbornness and decision because maybe he wants a certain contract that the Mets just are not going to go ahead and do for more reasons than one. Not saying it’s going to happen. I’m just saying anything is obviously a possibility this offseason when evaluating the very uncertain future of one Pete Alonzo. But definitely let me know your initial reactions to that in the comments down below everybody. I personally don’t care too much about awards nowadays because if there’s one thing that I learned a couple years ago when Juan Sto became a gold glove finalist for the San Diego Padres’s when he was quite literally one of not the worst defensive quarter outfielder corner outfielder in all baseball that year. I have since completely disregarded these awards for the most part. I’m sorry, but stats are important and to completely deviate away from them just because you focus on the big name is a major problem. So whether it’s silver sluggers or gold glove, platinum glove, you name it. Even all-star game as we know because it’s fan driven to vote these guys in. I simply care a whole lot less versus what I initially cared about growing up as a fan. I’m curious if you guys feel the same or if you’re different in the comments down below. But to continue our conversations because obviously a lot is happening at Mets land. Let’s also talk briefly on the latest hire for the New York Mets. As you guys can see, they’re officially announced by Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The Mets plan to hire Tim Liper as a third base coach. He had been the previous third base coach for the Padres’s each of the past two seasons. And Tim Britain was the first to report on the early interest in Liper. And who was the first to talk about this on YouTube, everybody? It was yours truly. We talked what 48 to 72 hours ago in a previous video. And you guys can check it out cuz I have on the thumbnail. It says new third base coach on it because it was always going to be Tim Liper. You know, we saw reporting going back to when Will Sammon first came out with a report for the Athletic. He is the main man main man on the beat for the Mets along with Tim Britain for the Athletic. and he did state that the Mets were closing in on announcing Justin Willard as their new pitching coach, which will be official in the coming days. We’re just waiting for that to officially be announced by other reporters as well as the Mets themselves. But in that same process of happening, Andy Martino actually quote tweeted that from uh that we saw in Will Salmon and stated how the Mets are closing in on a third base coach hire as well separately on on um Blue Sky, Blue Ski, I don’t I don’t know how to pronounce it. That’s okay. I don’t use it. the alternative to X that many of you guys are on. Tim Britain had posted how keep an eye on Tim Liper and the New York Mets because the Mets had interviewed him for unspecified position, but the belief is that it would be third base coach in a lateral move. As we know, the Mets apart ways with Mike Sarbaugh, who was their third base coach this past season. Really did not look great down the stretch. Really missed the mark in more ways than one felt. He’s been around the game for a while and I wish him the best with his future endeavors, but will not be as a New York Mets coach. Liper. And I do like this hire because not only did he work side by side with Manny Machado on the hot corner the past couple years, something that could certainly bode well for the Brett Batties and to a lesser degree the Mark Ventoses, the Ronnie Mauricios, etc. And I say lesser degree not only because of their lack of defensive value, but also because we have no clue what is going to be next season roster-wise for this team. It’s very hard to believe the Mets are going to run it back with all of Batty, Vento, Sukunia, and Mauricio. I’ll have to believe it when I see it. Otherwise, I’m expecting inevitable trades to be had there. But to have that kind of great work with Machado is not only going to bode well with hopefully the continued upside of Batty should he not be dealt in his own right this offseason, work more on his defensive game, which really prospered big time this past year at second and third base for the most part. But also, how is this man going to be when actually bringing in guys from third to home? You know, that’s all we really care about when it comes to third base coaches, right? We had the Gary Dcenas of the world that were as conservative as ever. He literally you could have had all the time in the world to get to home. You could have read two Harry Potter books and he’s still going to keep you at third base. Then you have the ultraaggressive Joey Kora during the Buck Shoalter regime who’s now the third base coach as we know for the Detroit Tigers. He’s been doing a good job over there. Very aggressive and a lot of times he was just sending guys home even when it simply did not make sense. Then you added Mike Sarbaugh from the Cleveland Guardians over the past couple years and Sarba was solid but not a needle mover by any stretch. I’m curious how Liper will be because he is not only a man who’s been with the Padres’s past couple years as as their third base coach, but he also formerly worked with, yes, John Gibbons, previous Mets bench coach up until this past month as he left the organization as we know. Gibbons, who obviously is actually, for those that are unaware, a former Mets player that didn’t blossom because he went down with injury as a catcher. And you want to know who filled in the shoes for him as catcher? It was in fact the kid in Gary Carter. Kind of crazy how that all worked out. But Gibbons went on to be manager as we know for the Toronto Blue Jays. That’s where he had most of his success as a coach. And when he was manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, who did he have work undering him? It was Yes. Tim Liper. So Liper has some of those internal ties with the Mets going back to Gibbons. Also actually played in the Mets minor leagues as a player growing up there going back into the 90s. So there’s been levels of connections between himself and the Mets that led to this point in the lateral move. and knowing that the Padres’s have a new manager heading into 2026, which is a really fascinating hire. And Craig Stamon, for those that don’t know, was a reliever just a couple years ago, Major League Baseball for a while. Hasn’t pitched since 2022. And now he’s the manager at the young age of 41 or so there for the Padres. So, I’m curious to see how AJ Prowller and the Potters go about that in 2026. But they were going to have a changing of the guard with their coaching staff after Mike Schulted inevitably, which meant Liper was going to be seeking a new job elsewhere. So, even though it was lateral, it makes sense why it was lateral because everything that I just relayed to each and every one of you. So, you guys let me know your thoughts about the latest third base coach hire for the Mets. We expanded more on him a couple days ago in content, but in summary, this is pretty much what you guys need to know for the most part. So, now going on from the coaching hires for the New York Mets. Let’s get on to a little bit more here as to what is happening in the free agent market, the players the Mets have acquired, the big Edwin Diaz news that we have today. And to wrap up the show, we’ll talk a bit more on the Antoine Richardson situation because it was a bit different versus what our initial reactions were yesterday when we were first finding out the news that the Mets are not bringing Antoine Richardson back and he’s going to the Braves because of a salary indifference. Of course, I was going to crash out over that. What do you mean a salary indifference? But there is key context to that uh to that to share. But before we get there, let’s see from Jeff Pass today cuz as we know everybody that the 13 players were tender qualifying offers Thursday, sources tell ESPN. And as you guys can see, it is Kyle Tucker, Kyle Schwarber, Bob Bashett, Fmer Valdez, Dylan CE, Ranger Suarez, Edwin Diaz, and that’s the news that we’re going to get into with Edwin in a second, as well as Zack Allen, Shot Managa, Michael Kane, Trent Gisham, Glabber Torres, and Brandon Woodruff. So immediate reaction to this, not at all surprised for the most part. Edwin Diaz was always getting the qualified offer at just over $22 million. He will inevitably say no to that. He will decline. But this significantly helps the Mets and here’s why. And similarity to how Pete Alonzo had his market completely shrink an offseason ago as the Mets through threw the queue all on him. Do not be surprised if the market is not as favorable as what was initially expected for Edwin Diaz because of this exact thing. Knowing that you have to give up a compensation pick to acquire a player in the Fian market when maybe that player in your eyes is not a needle mover for you is what makes so many teams hesitant to do it. Now Diaz is most certainly a needle mover as an elite closer. One of the best if not the best in baseball right now. So there’s definitely an exception to be had where teams may actually show a further willingness versus some other players out there with QOS because Diaz is an absolute dog understandably so. But the point here is that not only do the Mets have a great opportunity to bring Edwin Diaz back for the next couple years at minimum, but they put themselves in a position that at absolute worse if Diaz does say somehow someway walk and go elsewhere, they will be getting a draft pick for him. And the belief here is that the Mets will be able to handle things with Diaz, get a new contract done because that compensation pick is enough to deter some teams away from making his market as inflated as what it was initially going to be heading into the offseason. Of course, a team like the LA Dodgers who are in desperate need for a closer after botching that Tanner Scott contract throughout its first year already, they’re looking to add a big weapon like Edwin. But for Edwin, how much of a priority is it going to be to say sign with a team like LA versus returning the Mets? So, he has openly said himself he would love to return the Mets in the scenario where he say opts out of his contract. So, we know how much the Mets have valued him. We know how much Steve Cohen loves this man. So, it really just needs to come back together again. And it might be a little bit of a lengthier negotiation versus a couple years prior. But the point here is that even if it’s lengthier, this is normal. This is how the offseason typically goes. And the Mets lucked out were very fortunate after the 2022 season. It signed Diaz right away. But that doesn’t typically happen for top free agents hitting the market. You know, they really were able to cater to him then and that worked greatly. But now it’s going to be a more of a normal paced off seasonason with Edwin Diaz. So don’t be surprised if you see the inevitable rumblings and different rumors that we talk about. Oh my god, this team may be closing in on Edwin Diaz and then bam, he still returns the Mets in the end or something along those lines. You know how the offseason goes everybody. In case you don’t, just buckle up and get yourself ready for the ride. A lot of reporting, a lot of rumors, sometimes nonsense and try to go through the weeds to figure out what’s faction, what’s not obviously is easier said than done at times, but we’re going to be covering it all here on the platform as we always do. But to expand more not just on Edwin Diaz, but about this list, look at these players. How many of these players do you realistically think David Sterns and Steve Cohen are going to go scorched earth after knowing that they have the QO on? If I’m being as unbiased as possible and as someone who’s evaluated everything that Sterns has done the past couple years and understanding that Sterns may be far more aggressive this offseason than years prior, knowing he finally is pressured down his neck by Cohen after what was a very frustrating 2025 season where everything imaginable went wrong, it’s still hard to envision there being more than a select few players here that check off the box enough for the Mets to say, “Hey, yeah, we’ll give up a draft pick for him.” Absolutely. And of these players currently Kyle Tucker, Kyle Schwarver, to a degree Boette and possibly one of Framer Valdez, Dylan CE, and Brandon Woodruff fall in the category of players who we could see the Mets still potentially heavily pursuing even with them having the qualifying offer. But for the most part, there’s a great reality that the Mets do not land a single player on this list outside of an Edwin Diaz reunion for the sole purpose that they do not want to give up a draft pick for someone that maybe is not enough of a needle mover for them and they could acquire a separate free agent without a qualified offer attached or someone in the trade market because there is a lot of question marks surrounding this mass rotation heading in next season. They have a lot of guys under contract, but a lot of them that are far from proven and a lot of them are far from great. So, how do you fix that? It’s by of course adding to said rotation. And when you look at the free agent options available right now, do the New York Mets really have an appetite to give up a draft pick for a Dylan CE? Do they have an appetite to give up a draft pick for a frame Valdez? Do they have an appetite to give up a draft pick for Ranger Suarez? They most certainly are not going to do it for Shotaga more than likely. Uh so Michael Kane, you know, similar conversation here. How far are the Mets Zack Allen, East Coast native, how far are they willing to go? And I think this will all be indicative on not only how these markets shape up ultimately what players find themselves more in the shorter term end because we know Sterns is not going to give a seven-year deal to any of these starters. Not going to happen barring changes. I’ll be shocked if it happens. I really will be. I’ll be scratching my head as to why it happens. Should it happen? But the point here is that when you look at these options, not a lot of them really check off enough boxes to say, “Hey, let’s go ahead and do that.” Knowing that there’s an abundance of options that’ll be available in the trading market to a degree. I say that to a degree. There’s an asterk there because it can be an abundance of options as long as they’re actually in fact traded or going to be traded. Otherwise, it’s all nonsense. It’s it’s just for the sake of having the conversation. But when looking at frag and trade options, the Mets do have a lot of starters that they’re going to be able to at least inquire on this off seasonason. And should some of these markets falter to the shorter term end, that’s where I’d anticipate a guy like David Sturds pounce. Otherwise, very hard to envision him going long-term with any of these starters barring changes. But when it come when it comes to the position players, this is where it’s interesting because Kyle Tucker, he’s currently seeking a contract around $300 million. Now, that’s around $200 million less than I initially anticipated heading into his walk year. But given the given the question marks that he had after what was a little bit of an injury play towards the end of 2025 season for him as a oneandone as a Chicago Cub because you know the Cubs aren’t going to pony pony up the dough to bring it back. You know they’re not going to do. I know they’re not going to do it. Do you know they’re not going to do it? I’m pretty confident. Point is is that Tucker, while he maybe he’s not the best player in the planet, he’s going to be getting a pretty payday because he’s one of the most well-rounded outfielders when he’s right. He’s not only a World Series champion, but he’s someone that absolutely has the balance of both offense and defense that you’re looking for when he’s at his best. And you may say to yourself, “Oh, $300 million for Kyle Tucker is not worth it, or 400 is not worth it. North of 500 is most certainly not worth it.” Okay, but is Juan Soda really worth six $765 million? No. It’s not about what a guy’s actually worth versus what the market deems that they are. And for the Mets, knowing that you have a likely lockout an offseason from now after the 2026 season, these guys are going to be looking for the big bucks and the big deals. And teams may not get the privilege again to sign players to this great significance like they have in years prior. So for the Mets, there is something to be said about flexing the financial guns now while you still can because God forbid if there is a world where you see a cap and a floor, it’s not just an even playing field, but it changes the game for Steve Cohen, who is far and away the most wealthy owner in baseball currently. if he’s not able to flex those guns as an advantage, that may most certainly hurt the Mets in their continued pursuit of players because they don’t have the cons the continued success to suggest that that alone is why you should land here as a New York Met. So between David Sterns having a level of aggressiveness, Steve Cohen going into this offseason scorcher and pissed off understandably so, one does have to wonder how far the Mets going to be willing to go for some of these players knowing that you’re going to have a lockout a year from now more than likely knowing that Kyle Tucker, you make work. You make it happen. And you make it happen by shifting Brandon Nemo to DH or Juan Sodto, one of those two and then having Kyle in the corner outfield. It’s really is that simple. And it’s the ability to actually maximize your DH position and maximize your offensive and defensive output. You know, David Sterns is priding himself on trying to make this team better defensively, Kyle Tucker, while he is not necessarily going to be the best outfielder in baseball year in and year out, he most certainly is going to be the type of balance that you’re going to want in your quarter outfield should you have interest to go down that route. And Kyle Schwarber, not to get on a tangent about him because we will do that a lot this offseason. Who wouldn’t want that power as your full-time DH every single day? prying him away prying him away from the Philadelphia Phillies. Regardless on the future of Peter Allonzo, Shorbber is absolutely a player the Mets should be heavily considering to push forward forward this off seasonason. And Bob Bashette after having a great playoff run, a tremendous World Series when healthy, this is a man who could be a nice weapon for many teams looking to acquire a nice infield bat. And the Mets have an appetite to say trade away some of their infield talent, including say a top prospect Jet Williams in a monster blockbuster trade this off seasonason. Not saying they should, I’m just saying if they go down that route, Bo Bashette, an opening at second base could present itself straight away. McNeel, you know, Bo is going to pro provide decent defense at best, but a guy who’s going to lead bat first for you in your lineup and can obviously be a stud in doing so. A lot of possibilities for the Mets this offseason, everybody, but all I’m saying is buckle up and get yourself ready for the ride. But to continue on the Edwin Diaz discussion, everybody, there was reporting that came out by Will Simmon of the Athletic over the past day that I implore you guys to check out. He did state in that article on the latest between the Mets and Edwin Diaz is that the Mets have already shown a level of interest in trying to breed Nwin back according to multiple sources. So the Mets have already started the kicking tires phase at minimum to try to bring back their star closer. That’s a great thing. Hopefully it continues in that direction. Otherwise, we’re going to find ourselves shooting our foot saying, “Oh my god, we just allowed Edwin Sugar Diaz to walk and we don’t have a proper replacement for him in this bullpen.” If there’s one thing that has a certainty when looking at how the Mets can make their bullpen great next year, it’s by having a shutdown closer who loves New York, who knows what it takes to win here, and has went through a lot of trials and tribulations. This man had the yips, it felt like scared of his own shadow in year one as a Met in 2019. He is such a different player since that point and he has not only embodied what it means to be a New York Met, but he loves being a New York Met. and he’s got the mox, he’s got the fire, he has everything you want from a star closer. Goes without saying, bring Edwin Diaz back. Now, going on from Edwin, who we hope returns, let’s talk about players who have now been added to the organization. And let’s begin here briefly with one who is returning to the organization, which I most certainly am happy about, and that is going to be yes, Jose Castillo. Now, in case you guys do not know Jose Castillo, let me enlighten you. Castillo was initially acquired by the Mets uh off waiverss of not trade earlier this season from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Now when the Mets acquired Castillo, they of course had this continued um revolving door of just a bunch of no-name relievers in their bullpen trying to get some innings and they needed lefties after both AJ Mentor and Danny Young went down for the entire season with injury. Now Castillo, who wasn’t doing all that much with the Padres’s, hadn’t done anything of significance at the major league level since 2018. Yet David Stern said, “Hold my beer, baby. We got something here. And he wasn’t wrong. He was not wrong at all. Give the criticisms to Sterns all you want, but when it comes to guys that actually worked out well, they’re limited sample sizes. Castillo falls in that category. Everybody take a look at these numbers. Jose Castillo with the New York Mets. Albeit limited sample size because he was here 16 games, 15.1 innings, a 2.35 year rate, a 1.7 whip, a 2.6 f, 19 strikeouts, and 11k per nine to three and a half walks per nine. Castillo played with not only the Mets, the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Seattle Mariners this past season as well. And the Mets lost him to the Mariners on the waiver wire before the end of the season, which I was low-key a little bummed by just because Castillo isn’t that bad for what we’ve called and asked him for. He’s been fine. I attended the Mets and Dodgers series in LA going back to was it June or July this year, one of those months. And for game one of that series, the Mets won, it was a nailbiter. They won and they split that series out of the four games, two and two a piece. But Jose Castillo I witnessed have himself a scoreless inning unscathed against those Dodgers that helped lead the Mets to that huge win that I believe was in extra innings if I’m not mistaken or it was in the ninth inning. One of the two. It was a nice win for the Mets. And Castillo was nice to see him in person. He’s a towering 6’6 plus frame. Filled out for sure. Has Moxy on the mound too and just another lefty to out of the mix which is not a bad thing. Now, when we look at a guy who’s not returning the New York Mets, just to talk about him briefly, everybody, we do have here, actually, let me just show you guys just for a quick second on what the Mets were getting. And Jose Castillo is actually hilarious. The highlights about play Alonzo after Castillo struck him out. That’s actually so hilarious to me that um when he was with the Diamondbacks, he actually had some success against the Mets and that was basically it. But to just show you guys a little bit more on Castillo here, let’s pull up some of his Mets stuff cuz he again was solid with the Mets. Not the best thing, but far from the worst thing, too. Just a towering lefty who can come in and get you some nice swing and miss. And Castillo is now going to be entered the fold currently as the Mets third lefty option their bullpen, which is fantastic because the Mets had to rely on him as their number one option multiple times this past season due to their injuries. Have to hope and pray that isn’t the case in 2026 because you not only have AJ Mentor returning from injury as he opted into his $1 million for 2026. We’re excited to see what Mentor can do more. And then we see Brooksley as the Mets have opted into his club option for 2026 and he’s making what around 5 mil or so. He’s making pennies for how valuable I think Brooks really is for this bullpen. Those are two quality high leverage high tempmpo relievers. I say tempo in the sense of their ability to get huge outs and key circumstances. Not so much in the velocity because both mentor and really fail in that regard. Castillo not so much. And when Castillo’s right, he can be nasty. So again, we’ll take it. And his stats again that I relayed are what he did with the Mets collectively throughout the whole season. He had a a 3.8 or 3.9 year. But why care about that when we should solely care about what he actually did in a Mets organization, right? So that’s why I amplified the numbers the way that they are down there for you guys to check out. But Jose Castillo everybody, he is a third lefty option this Mets bullpen as of now heading into next season barring changes that maybe he’s cut. Doesn’t make the team out of spring training, whatever the case may be. But now guys going down from Jose Castillo who did get a little cup of coffee with the Baltimore Orioles that we did see as well. So what was he on four teams last year? Diamondbacks, Mets, Mariners or at least four teams. He was all over the place and he was effective. So Castillo, happy to have him back. But now let’s go on from talking about José Castillo to now let’s get on to the next one here and that is going to be an interesting one. Okay, and I say interesting because it’s just kind of crazy, you know, from the time the signing first happened. didn’t like it then for a multitude of reasons for the most part. The José Glacius replacement, this started the end for the 2025 Mets. Started in spring training with the first play this man made and it was the last play ever made in Mets uniform. That’s Nick Magical. This schmuck literally broke his shoulder with the first play he made in spring training. And I say schmuck just because of the fact that I wish the Mets brought Jose Glacius back for the Vibes. And the Vibes only in hindsight Mets could have used that this year. Instead, they sign Nick Madrickall, who is supposed to be that utility option for them. He goes down, makes one throw, and I think it was against the St. Louis Cardinal in spring train. Makes one throw to first base, falls completely flat on his shoulder, it’s cooked. He needs season ending surgery, and now he’s elected for agency. So, Nick Madrical, thank you so much for everything you did for the Mets and absolutely nobody. And now, let’s get on to the next year. And the next is going to be the following. And this man, who I have some choice words to say about, I got to be honest with you. Giwan Bay has been claimed off waiverss from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bay, who played in the outfield last year for the Pirates organization, doesn’t have a lot of success at the major league level, but did have plenty of success at the AAA level this past year. And this is another one of those French MLB players that the Mets will bring into spring training. Get some looks, especially because Bay is uber athletic. So, I’m sure the Mets are kind of going to view him in somewhat of a similar light to Nick Magical as a guy who could just be a huge utility guy for them. He plays second base Mason. He can play all aspects of the outfield. Has speed and has the contact ability when he is at his best as a batter. But there’s a couple problems that I have with Bay here. And I say problems loosely because there’s a great reality that this man never plays a game for the Mets next year or there is a possibility that he does and the scenario that he does. I’m not here to be the the the mor the moral police because I understand there’s so many of my favorite players growing up that have done things behind closed doors that became public that were terrible things that I do not condone at all that even includes to a degree you know when we think of New York Mets not just on the 80s with our guys in Dakod and Daryl Strawberry who obviously had a lot of trials and tribulations then a lot of bad things happened during that time good but a lot of bad at the same time think of Jose Reyes of course comes to mind as well um initially you think of Jerice Familia but I that was refuted if I’m not mistaken after the fact, but Gian Bay was suspended during I believe the 2018 or 2019 season for 30 plus games because of a domestic dispute. And this domestic dispute was not a good one either, as he was getting a little too physical with his girlfriend at the time. And I’ll leave it there. If you guys want to check out the details in its entirety, you can certainly look them up for yourselves. But for me, I’m like, “Okay, so this guy hasn’t really done much of good at the major league level as is.” And I’m not trying to say this wrong, so please hear me out. It makes more sense for Major League Baseball teams to cons continue to run it back with players who have had domestic disputes when they’re really good. I know that’s a terrible thing to maybe for you guys to hear and for me to say, but it’s a fact. We have seen it and it will continue to be the case. We know how teams operate. If the players elite, they’re going to do everything in their power to make sure that things work out, even if they have a lot of bad things going on off the field, you know, and I don’t want to compare one domestic situation to another because they’re all completely different in their own right. But as an example, a Chapman stud closer this past year. We know obviously the disputes that have been around him and we understand that while that has certainly I think to a degree tainted a bit of his legacy, people are still going to admire and love him as a player because he’s unbelievably elite and he will stay in the league because he’s unbelievably elite regardless on what he did wrong when it came to his lady and things off the field separate from the game itself. But for Bay, let’s call it how it is. I’m going to say it right now. This is just some schmuck the Mets are bringing in just to give a showcase in spring training to see what they have and that’s that. Why are we wasting our time here? That’s genuinely how I feel. And I do not react to this kind of stuff often at all to have the to go the lengths of saying that this was a pointless signing, but it genuinely feels like a pointless signing. Okay. Um it’s one thing if you’re an uber talented player, have all the success, have a really shaky track record, have domestic disputes, which is not at all something I’m condoning. It’s a terrible thing, and I will never condone such a thing. no matter the player, no matter how much I may love him as a player, because I love Jos Reyes as a player, but do I love him necessarily as an individual? I can’t say that because his legacy will forever be tainted from what we know publicly. So, to view Bay here, not to harp on this too much, but this just feels pointless in my opinion. You know, I feel like this is only going to cause more potential negative press than it will anything else. But hey, listen, no one should be defined off of maybe one mistake that they made. I’m not here to condone his actions. far from it. I’m disgusted by them, as a matter of fact. But I also am not one of those people that wants to be the guy that constantly drill down the throat of, “Oh, this is a terrible person. This is how it is when people are allowed to change and people are allowed to learn from the wrongs.” I don’t know the key context behind what led to the dispute of what happened between his girlfriend at the time. All I know is it wasn’t good. He was in the fault and he was rightfully charged because of it, at least by the lake of MLB, among others. I I don’t know in full detail the other little aspects of it, but that’s all I really have to say about that, everybody. You know, it just it’s just one of those things kind of why more than anything, I’m just head scratching. Okay, we really did this, but we didn’t I just I I just don’t get it. And and simple put, I do not understand it. But another guy to throw to the mix to see what he can do come spring training, try to impress. And listen, if Bayball’s out and he looks great, I’m obviously going to support him from the player perspective because I support every single player that’s on this New York Mets team, good, bad, or indifferent. Doesn’t mean I like them personally. Doesn’t mean that I condone their actions. No. And I think it’s very important for me to make that distinction before people go out of their way to run and say, “Oh my god, awardy’s in favor of so- and so.” No. When did I say I was in favor of those actions? But if you’re going to be on my team and if you’re performing well, then it’s almost impossible for me as a fan to ignore that and to not acknowledge that because if the team can go the lengths to bring this player in, see the success that they have and the players rally around them, then naturally the fan base is going to do the same to a degree as well. So with that being said, I’m wishing Bay the best when it comes to his ability and what he can do for this Mets team. But at the same time, am I gonna lose any sleep if this man does literally nothing for the organization? Not at all. Far from it. So, with that being said, everybody, cuz we talked about Bay, let’s get on to wrapping up this show to talk about a topic that I wanted to again come full circle on and issue a bit of an apology. And I say an apology not because anything was inherently inherently wrong that I did myself, but rather I do not want to steer any fan in the wrong direction because of a lack of information. And that is to a degree what happened yesterday. And that’s why I would like to apologize to each and every one of one of you for that. as well as I’m going to say publicly, you know, that I apologize to David Sterns cuz yesterday I had a reaction and said Sterns cheaped out. You got to be kidding me. How do we reach a dispute in this contract for Antoine Richardson who is so unbelievably valuable to the Mets in their base running especially Juan Sodto at 38 stolen bags heavily credit Antoine for the reason for that to allow this man to walk to a rival the Braves in a lateral move because of salary complications. How could this be? Well, given the details that have come out since then, the New York Mets not only offered Antoine a contract to begin the off season, but they offered him one that was very much feasible to what they had previously offered him in the past. And Antoine went the lengths to speak to other teams, circle back to the Mets after he did not find necessarily anything that was an upgrade over what he would be doing with the Mets. He had made known his continued interest in wanting to return. It was never about wanting to leave the organization, but rather trying to maximize his dollar amount as well as his ability coming off of a career year coaching wise, because it was a career year coaching wise for Antoine Richardson. Does anyone at all focus or care about what Antoine has done prior to this past season? No. Because there’s really nothing to flex up until what he did with Juan Sto and the Mets great base running overall this past season. So Antoine circles back to the Mets and here lies the problem. The Mets are only allowed to issue four pensions to new coaches in their staff. That’s just supposedly the thing that happens because Antoine took his time to speak to other clubs and did not immediately accept that new contract by the Mets which did in fact include a pension initially. He shot himself in the foot. The Mets were not able to bestow that pension upon him because of the other hires that they have done since then. when looking at Kai Kareah when now looking at Tim Liper as we know when looking at uh what we see there in Troy Snicker among others the all these things factored in which is why the Mets were not able to give him the pension he was looking for pair that with reports that did in fact state that Antoine was looking to have the availability to leave the organization even if he accepted a new contract if a greater opportunity arise for him this offseason and my response to that is what are we doing here you think the Mets are going to bend over backwards to not only give you a new contract, but to give you free range to leave at any point if a new opportunity arises, which could completely screw the Mets to say you left fairly last minute closer to the spring training beginning and the Mets are without a first base coach. So to that I say f out of here. Okay, that is in fact true from my understanding and that’s wrong. I do not at all fault David Sterns for not loving that idea. nor do I fault the Mets for their lack of effort here because it wasn’t really a lack of effort and that’s what I’m trying to correct myself on from yesterday. So to put a pin in it, Antoine Richardson wanted to return the Mets. He said publicly that he has great respect for Sterns the organization and how those negotiations went. So the Mets did nothing inherently wrong. This was all Antoine trying to flex his guns, trying to get some more money elsewhere, trying to get a larger role elsewhere, maybe a bench coach per se, but no one was giving it. So instead, he goes to the Atlanta Braves, a team that I used to play for, had success with throughout his playing career in a lateral moved paired with Jeremy Hefner, who’s also going over as the Mets partways with him as their pitching coach. So that is the key context that we know publicly to this point. Should anything come out that’s beyond that, we will certainly discuss it on the platform. Otherwise, I think that this has reached the end of our conversation on Antoine Richardson and the New York Mets until we start crashing out next year when he has great success with the Braves or maybe saying, “Oh, great. Happy to see Richardson didn’t really factor into much of anything as the Mets base running continues to be great regardless of who they hire at that first base position.” So, that’s all I got to say about that, everybody. But you guys let me know your thoughts down below regarding that along with everything else in Mets land that we broke down today. Everybody, before we get out of here, I just want to make sure that I don’t miss anything in particular for each and every one of you. I don’t believe that I am. All right, I think we are good to go. So, yeah, free agency has officially begun. Do not be surprised when inevitable moves continue to happen for the Mets in the coming days. But I would say that you should be surprised if anything of significance happens for the Mets signing and or trade-wise in the next two weeks because you still have I believe the 18th and the 21st are two key dates upcoming for the Mets and all Major League Baseball because you have the date which is qualifying offers have to be accepted or rejected. We know DS is going to reject his obviously and then you have tender and non-tender contracts. So in that four to five day gap from the 18th to the 21st there’s going to be a lot of movement a lot of traction happening across multiple organizations and then naturally as we get deeper into November the beginning of December right on the cusp of winter meetings things are going to get unbelievably hot. They’re going to get spicy and we’re going to have so much to cover here on the platform with all things news and rumors based as we do every single offseason here on NYM. But before we get out of here everybody final thing that I want to let each and every one of you know and I meant to do this sooner so that shame on me for it. Check out my new video everybody. Check out Wordy MLB. For those who don’t know, I have a YouTube channel covering MLBY topics beyond just the New York Mets. And we’re going to be pumping out a lot of content there this offseason, including multiple videos dropping next week. This was our first video that’s dropping this week. We will have two at minimum dropping next week for each and every one of you, if not more. And our video was on the top 10 MLB players that will be traded this off seasonason. There’s Turk Scoble, there’s Steven Quan, and we got Catel Marte on there as well. You guys can check out that video. And that is in fact collaborated between my channel and WY MLB. So what that means is and knowing that it’s connected with both the video will not be on WYM but to anyone that is a subscriber of mine you will have been notified of that video dropping because that’s what the collab feature really does on YouTube. So it doesn’t actually put it on Warden. It’s only on Wyoml but everyone that’s a subscriber of mine on both those respective accounts is notified when videos drop. And we’ll probably be doing more things like this so that way you guys check it out. We’re going to be pumping out a lot of fun MLB content. We’ll be having a lot of free agent related discussions next week as well on the platform, separate from our Mets conversations. So, make sure that you guys are in on it all. But Mets fans, thank you again so much for watching. I greatly appreciate it. Let me know your continued thoughts, reactions, and analysis to all the following topics that we had in the comments down below. And as always, no matter what everybody, let’s go Mets. Peace out, folks. Have a great one.

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00:00 Hey! Here’a Today’s Topics
3:10 Alonso & Soto Win Silver Slugger Award
5:43 Mets Hire Tim Leiper For 3B Coach
10:30 Edwin Diaz NEWS + MLB Qualifying Offers Announced
21:00 Mets Bring Back Jose Castillo
26:15 Mets Acquire Ji Hwan Bae
32:00 Details REVEALED Regarding Antoan Richardson’s Departure

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