REPORT: Mets TOP Contenders For Tatsuya Imai, “Perfect Storm” To LOSE Diaz?, Pablo Lopez TRADE Talks

REPORT: Mets TOP Contenders For Tatsuya Imai, “Perfect Storm” To LOSE Diaz?, Pablo Lopez TRADE Talks

How we doing folks? It’s Wardy here and as you guys can see, we’re back at it breaking down all the latest news and rumblings in Mets land. And today, that being November 15th, 2025, the time of this video first dropping, we have a lot to get into to say the least. And I’m recording this technically the night prior. But there is good reason for that. I’ll expand on that here in just a second. Because first and foremost, Edwin Sugar Diaz is finding himself in a perfect storm to leave the New York Mets organization. Where is this reporting stemming from? Why is this coming from one of the most credible names in all of MLB reporting this point? And ultimately, where do things actually stand between the Mets and Edwin Diaz? Is it as accurate as what this report is making out to be? Or is there a little bit of clickbait action going on? That’s what we’re going to expand on from there. We’ll get into what is happening with Tatsua Imi, the most coveted pitcher coming over from Japan this offseason. He’ll be technically posted from his club over the next calendar week that’s been reported of. We’ll get into where the Mets stand there as we broke him down already on the platform over the past week as he was a logical target for the Mets. Well, not only is he a target for the Mets now, but reports are suggesting that the Mets are a top contender already to land the coveted right-hander. So, we’ll get into where that reporting stems from, where the Mets may find themselves in negotiations with Tatau once they officially begin and how they can best other top contending clubs to land the coveted righthander heading into next season. From there, we’re going to talk about another coveted righthander, one Pablo Lopez, as there’s a lot of things going on with him and his trademark right now. So, we’ll get into what exactly those reports are and where the Mets may stand as a club who has shown previous interest in Lopez may certainly do that again here this off season. And to wrap up the show, we’ll talk about the latest signing for the New York Mets at a lower level and anything else that’s miscellaneous here in Mets land. All I ask is that you guys hit the like and subscribe on your way as it’s a fantastic way to support the platform. Thank you so much for doing exactly that as well as hearing from our amazing sponsors that many of you guys know well at Segeek that have you covered for all of your ticketing needs because Segeek everybody not only has over 70,000 active events to choose from making them the number one rated ticketing app in the game today for a reason but folks the reason why I have such a busy Saturday the time you watching this is because I’m going to be in New York all day. I’m a PA resident. 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Now folks, let’s get right into this discussion and let’s begin here with the following. And don’t worry, I got timestamps for you guys too. So, in case you guys want to skip ahead to certain topics, Ward’s got you covered. Now, let’s begin here with a really important topic today. One of many important topics that we’re going to get into in this one, and it starts with the following. What is happening with Tatsua Imi? Now, this is a pitcher that many of you guys know, thanks to either myself or others here in the space over the past week or multiple weeks leading up to him now being posted. Tatsua is deemed by many as the most coveted pitcher coming over from Japan not only this offseason but as one who’s very coveted going back to you know Roki Sasaki Yoshinoi Yamamoto and Kai Sena each of the past three or four offseasons but Ei look at the numbers down below they speak for themselves. Uh that’s one thing. And now let’s hear the actual reporting which states that the Mets are a top contender for one Tatsua EMI. And this is courtesy of MLB Network just in case anyone is wondering where exactly this is coming from. And speaking to some sources um with my Japanese friends out there, they told me that the Yankees, Phillies, Blue Jays, Mets, and Phillies are the leading candidates to sign Emi along with the Padres’s who we know is in desperate need of starting pitching and they obviously have the advantage of geography being on the West Coast. So, all righty folks. So, there it is. Really appreciate that. Now, it’s such an interesting panel to see Jared Kurabas, Joel Sherman, and a guy who I believe is on the Dodgers beat to the right there for that MLB network segment. It’s interesting. I haven’t watched much of the network this year just because I’m always consumed in my own content in life. But very interesting setup. I’m a big Jared Kravis fan and I respect Joel’s work as someone who works with the Post as well as a reoccurring contributor for them. But point is is that the Mets are one of the top contending teams actively seeking Tatsu Emi. He made sure to make note of Phillies twice. So, that tells you that clearly the Phillies are involved. But all jokes aside here, the Mets are just one of, I’m sure, a plethora of teams are really going to be in his market. And here’s why. Okay, there’s a couple of reasons as to why the Mets, I think, are not only very well positioned to land someone like Emi, but ultimately why Emi is one of the more attractive options for the Mets this off seasonason. And you may say to yourself, Wardy, we just went through so much turmoil with Kodi Sen each the past two years. Why bring in another Japanese talent where there’s uncertainty? And while I understand that, I think we should also not lump one Japanese pitcher as the exact same as the other. That would be wrong for a multitude of reasons. But you pair that with the fact that when you look at this current market right now, when looking at both the trade and the free age market, when you look at the trade market, there are some really nice talents out there. But the biggest issue with the really nice talents that are out there is that they’re going to cost you a pretty penny. And while I believe the Mets are more prime position to actually break up the farm a bit now more than ever before because they’re so deep it can make it happen for a blockbuster trade. And that same breath I can also say that if you can land quality starters that haven’t even reached the age of 30 yet in the free agent market why wouldn’t you go ahead and do so and that’s why the Mets are involved in this market plenty as a top contender for David Sterns. Sterns who actually scouted Emi there when he took his trip across seas right around mid August this year to also watch Muna Taka Murakami hit a walk-off home run while Sterns himself was in attendance. Pretty cool. He saw EMI among other players during that trip. I’m sure and EMI is attractive for the following reasons. One, he’s 27 years of age and that certainly fits the short and long-term bill for a Mets team should they say sign Emi from anywhere to a 3 to 5year contract. Now you also look at the fact that this past season in 160 plus innings put up his best year yet. A 1.92 RA a sub.9 whip a just over two fifth 178 strikeouts a roughly 10k per night to two and a half walks per nine. What’s been most impressive about me when it comes to Mai who has the arsenal of not just the fast ball that touches 100 actually touched 100 for the first time in his career this season. So, he’s constantly getting better with that velocity, the change up, the tight slider there that might need a little bit more work at the major league level, the splitty, which of course you’re naturally going to get with a lot of these Japanese players, and the sinker that he put more in his arsenal this year to really throw off more of the lefty batters. While he’s had success with all those things, he’s also had great success in continuing to lower his walk rate year after year after year. If you look at Tatsu’s numbers throughout his career, he’s actually dropped significantly his walk rate over the past five seasons. This was a guy at one point that was striking out guys at a lower rate than he was walking guys at a sub seven K per nine to over seven walks per nine. It was horrendous dog water. But each year he went from seven walk per nine to five walk per nine to a low five walk per nine to a four walk per nine to now all the way 2 and a half walk per nine. And now he’s getting set to hit the major league level. Now all these things are attractive and appealing about I who has velocity who’s going to sit mid90s but touch high 90s on the gun. Kind of like Kodai Sango when Sango is really right. Now SA is not one to necessarily touch 100 all that often but we have seen him really tap into the upper echelon on the VO when he has been right with his mechanics. Problem for SA he hasn’t been right with his mechanics the past two years because he has not been able to stay healthy for the life of him. Now in the case of Iay here what’s attractive is not just the age not just a track record but also and this is I think a really important factor the lack of a qualifying offer. You know, yes, the Mets would have to, of course, pay a posting fee of over 20%, I’d imagine. And this uh continues depending on exactly the status of ultimately how much you invest in someone like him. You have to give up a pretty penny in posting fees. But the Mets are aware of that. They did that already with Kai Sing a couple years ago, and they would have an appetite to do it again. But knowing that EMI is coming from the MPB to the States means that he’s not currently on a Major League Baseball club, which also means that no team can have the luxury of throwing a qualified offer attached on him because he is actually a true free for agent. And the lack of that qualifying offer is going to ring true for the Mets because when we look at the free agent market landscape right now, Zack Allen, Framer Valdez, Dylan CE among many others. What do these top pitching names have in common? They all have the qualifying offer attached to them which is going to make them less attractive naturally for teams including the Mets who want to give say mid to long-term deals to Sterns doesn’t really have an appetite as is to give a long-term deal to a 30 plus year old pitcher. But Tatawa Ei, who’s still two to three years away from hitting the age of 30, this is a different discussion. You know, this is the same David Sterns as Steve Cohen, who rolled out the red carpet of $325 million on a long-term contract for Yoshino Yamamoto before Yamamoto took that offer and moved it laterally to the LA Dodgers, which sadly wasn’t surprising. And I’m not here to lump Yamamoto and I as the same pitchers cuz they’re far from it. Yamamoto far greater ceiling already a stud when we look at the World Series playoff runs. Truly a Sai Young caliber pitcher in more ways than one. But Emi, his ceiling looks like he’s going to be anywhere from a top three rotational starter to at best a one or a two depending on how deep a rotation is. For the Mets, I would find himself in that two to four category depending on how other guys blossom and also how he transitions to the major league level. And another factor to bear in mind with Emi and the Mets pursuit of him and how they could maybe have an upper hand over trying to bring him in is twofold. It is one, the dollars, right? Currently, he’s projected to get a contract anywhere from h1 to $150 million, which is very feasible and certainly one I think the Mets would be willing to pay knowing his age, knowing his upside, and knowing that this is someone who can impact the Mets for the next three to five years and do it rather comfortably as long as he makes that proper transition to the States. Now, while I completely understand fans who do not love the idea of an uncertainty added to the rotation, as the Mets did nothing but that a year ago, and that was clearly their demise this year between that and injuries, the same can be said for the success that comes along with these players when they properly transition. And while we can of course poke fun and nitpick Kodi Sena’s lack of health over the past two years, what we do know is that when Kodi Singa is healthy, he’s dominant. And he was dominant to begin the 2025 season up until he went down in June. And then between of course having the lack of mental fortitude also just looking at looking like someone who clearly was not able to adjust with the constant injuries that was his demise. But if you go back to the 2023 rookie season for Kodi Singa after pitching a decade’s worth of ball there in the MPB while dealing with to a degree of partially touring UCL. This same Kodi Singa put up Sion awardw worthy season where he got Saiion votes and rookie of the year votes in his first year in the bigs. If Sena can give the Mets 150 to 170 innings next year should he not be traded, I firmly do believe that he can be a viable starter option for the team again. But the problem is there’s uncertainty there. But the reason why I talk about Sanga in this light is also because I think Sanga can to a degree be an X-factor. Now, there is this saying that goes when it comes to Japanese players and it really does vary on the old guard versus the new guard. And let me explain. There is a contingent of Japanese players that we’ve seen over the years that pride themselves on not playing with fellow countrymen from Japan. And the reason why they want this is because they really want to land with a team where they can kind of beat their own identity and not be in the shadow to a degree of another fellow Japanese player, especially one that maybe is of similar ill or talent ilk or talent. Now for Kotai Sa has tried his best to advocate for Roki Sasaki and two years ago Yoshino Yamamoto has been for a lack of effort there trying to bring in fellow countrymen. So Sega’s all aboard bringing in other top talents from Japan. I’m sure to a degree he’d appreciate it as someone who’s kind of on an island by himself right now in Flushing Queens who doesn’t have any other Japanese players on the team. And while that in itself is not inherently bad or a wrong thing, I’m sure there’s a comfortability aspect that would only increase should he have a fellow countryman like Tatso Emi actually pair with him at the MLB level. And for II, if he does have an appetite to be with a fellow player of similar ilk, look no further than Kodai Singa because Sanga again is more of a profile like Emi than a Yoshinobi Yamamoto or Aroki Suzaki. They’ll be on similarly structured contracts, I’m sure, once Emi officially ins his deal. And I can learn many things by Kodiena, not only to how to handle a major market, but ultimately how to have a smooth transition. The way that the Mets not only did it by expanding the rotation to a six-man rotation, but also by being patient with Sanga in his first year where his walk rate was looking obnoxious to begin, but as the season went on and the dominance prevailed, SA’s confidence built and he became one of the better forces in all the National League just a couple years ago. Now there is uncertainty as to if the Mets are actually going to keep Kota single or not this offseason. There is a belief that they may in fact trade him. Should that come to fruition then naturally you know this is not going to hold any weight because it will not matter. But the Mets have already understood what it’s like to have these player pursuits for players across seas. And believe it or not the LA Dodgers are not going to land every Japanese player this offseason. It just is not going to happen. They’re not going to land Monoakamurakami, Kazumakamoto, Tatoui among many others all in the same breath. it just is not going to happen. They may land one or a tops two, but they’re not going to land them all. And this is the kind of pitcher where the Dodgers don’t need. The Mets have a clear need. And knowing there’s a lack of qualified offer, knowing you don’t have to give up a draft pick, knowing you don’t have to give up draft money, I think is really important for David Sterns in this Mets club. So look no further than Tatsu Emi. To say I am surprised that the Mets are top contender here would be me line each and every one of you. All I’ve heard throughout the industry since he was getting expected to be posted is that keep an eye out for Tatsu Emai. He is one of these unique exceptions this offseason for David Sterns and the Mets that kind of fits the short and long-term bill for them and they don’t have to give up any assets. All they have to do is spend money. Something that Steve Cohen has done more than any other owner in baseball since becoming owner of the Mets five plus years ago. So let me know in the comments down below everybody if you’re for against the continued pursuit and now potentially being a top contender for Tatsua. Now to go on from Tatso everybody. Now let’s get into what is happening with one Edwin Sugar Diaz because I’m sure that’s why you clicked on this video and for rightful reason we got to find out what is happening with our star closer. And speaking of star closer, yeah, he was a star this year. You know how Edwin Diaz only blew like what four saves or so this year? Well, because of that, our man is back at it for the second time in his career as a National League reliever of the year. You want to know what’s so fascinating about this is that the two best seasons for Edwin Diaz in a new in a New York Mets uniform being deemed as the best reliever in all the National League both go very inand with the fact that this is the same man who did this in his walk years in 2022 he did in his walk year now he did in 2025 and there’s reason for that and I would also just like to state something very very important to each and every one of you there have been rumblings going on a lot of rumblings going on that the Mets may have already put in contract contract offers for Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonzo. But the reason why today’s video is not headlining that exact topic is because of the fact that is yet to be confirmed from credible sources. This is just more from hearsay throughout people online on X among others. And this is not to refute that what they are saying is necessarily wrong, but one, I don’t know these people to a strong degree. Two, I’m not exactly sure what their sources are. And three, these are not people that are technically the types to break news. So, for all those reasons, I’m not going to go ahead and try to present it as something other than that because one, if it’s not true, it hurts my rep, it hurts everyone’s rep. So, I’m just saying if that comes to fruition, this is not overly surprising because we have seen things floated a bit there throughout social media. But like anything else in the offseason, we know that this is obviously one of those things that can be very, very, very, very interesting to see how much change. Um, so actually as I’m literally saying this, I’m getting a message right now from someone who I cannot share with you. And I don’t mean this rudely. I’m being live in real time um about potentially something regarding the Mets. So I’m going to reply to them uh and go from there and then if I’m able to share anything, I will. If not, then I’ll keep it to myself, but I’ll be able to expand on things in come in future days, I’m sure. Okay, let’s do this. All right. Now, Edwin Diaz, we know that he is the reliever of the year, rightfully so. But here’s a piece that came out with Edwin and also shout out Jacob Deg Grom for being AO comeback player of the year. Do not do Rangers may in fact trade Deg Grom given his contract and given where they currently stand. Not saying the Mets are going to do it. All I’m saying is it’s a it’s a fun thought as someone who has the two cellun bobbleheads right beside me. But I digress. Let’s get out of these tangents. Let’s talk about the following here. And this is from Ken Rosenthal. The Ken Rosenthal. You know, when you guys think of the beat, the order of the top MLB reporting, it’s Jeff Passen and that’s Ken Rosenthal. Pretty much 1A, 1B for the most part. John Haymon is in that category as well because while you may discredit him for his um Aaron Judge remark a couple years ago to the Giants, he has certainly rebounded by being the first to break the Wanoto news last off season. And we know why he broke the news regarding Wanoto because of his connection to a degree with Scott Boris among others. But the point stands is that there’s there is credibility out here. But even when there’s credibility, nothing is truly set in stone because we have seen all these top guys be wrong in their varying ways over the past couple years. And Ken Rosenthal has also fallen in that category. And he says a perfect storm is brewing for the Mets to lose Edwin Diaz. Now, why would Ken Rosenthal make a piece like this? Well, the simple answer is because he wants clicks. because nothing, and I truly mean nothing that was stated in this article would suggest that Edwin Diaz is a lock to be parted with. As a matter of fact, you could rightfully argue that this off season really isn’t all that different and how any other year the Mets would be going about their process with Edwin Diaz. And here’s why. He references Edwin’s remarks that we already stated on the platform as of yesterday as he spoke to the media at the MLB award show and stated how, you know, he would love to return the Mets, but obviously wherever he goes, he’ll be happy, you know, as long as he’s on a team that’s going to give him a chance to win a World Series because he’s going to land with a top contender. That goes without saying, regardless on if it’s a Met or not, if it’s with the Mets or not. He also went on to say that he believes that the chances of him returning right now are 50/50, which is not giving up any leverage whatsoever, which is something that he obviously is not going to do while he’s in active talks with the Mets. And that holds true. Those active talks have continued. As we saw reports yesterday from himself saying that him and his reps have already spoken to the Mets. That process has begun. He just doesn’t know to what degree the Mets basically val him and are going to bring him back at a top dollar mat because Edwin is likely going to go to the highest paid suitor this offseason just like how he went to the highest paid suitor a couple years ago which of course was the New York Mets um at 100 plus million dollars and Diaz is looking for a similarly structured record-breaking contract again but beyond that and this piece the only thing that is notable is the other teams that are in the market for Edwin right Now, we know the LA Dodgers would love another top closer because Tanner Scott has the Yips apparently. And I’m only half joking as I say that even after signing a four-year 77 or so million dollar contract with 20 plus million deferred. Great job, LA. Uh the Ed Edwin Diaz would do wonders for the Dodgers, but they don’t need him. And if Edwin does sign with the Dodgers, I may throw this mic out my window and stop covering the Mets because what’s the point at that point? Quite literally, what’s the point of covering a baseball team when you know what the conclusion is going to be every single year with who’s going to win? Um, and I know that may seem kind of silly to say, but the Dodgers are building a super team in ways that no other club is doing to the same degree right now. That’s a problem if you’re trying to win, which is the case of the Mets at the moment. So, outside the LA Dodgers, who are other teams that have an appetite for Edwin Diaz? Well, there’s one that looks significant, and it’s the Toronto Blue Jays. Now, the Toronto Blue Jays lost the World Series because they did not have an Edwin Diaz star closer closing it down. They had Mr. Hoffman, formerly of the Philadelphia Phillies, who the Mets, of course, took care of to a degree there that we saw in the 2024 NLDS. And now, while Hoffman had some big moments against the Yankees in this past year’s playoff, couldn’t get the job done against the Dodgers. And that would ultimately prevail for the Dodgers to win the World Series and that be that. And Hoffman has already said that he’s more than fine to move out of the closer role for the betterment of the club. The Blue Jays are going to be uber aggressive this offseason. They were this close to winning. So, of course, if you’re going to get that close with the current front office and regime, you’re going to do everything in your power to get back there, if not actually win it this time. And there’s already been belief that the Blue Jays love Edwin Diaz. So much so that Ken Rosenthal, what he reported in this is that the Toronto Blue Jays have already approached Edwin Diaz and his team to talk obviously contract negotiations. Now, we don’t know exactly the status of those negotiations at this point in time, but there’s one thing we do know about the Toronto Blue Jays. They had their hands on every top Mets free agent since Steve Cohen became owner. And I’m not exaggerating as I say that. They were heavily involved in the Brandon Nemo sweep stakes. They were heavily involved in Pete Alonzo. They offered Pete Alonzo over right around $50 million more than the Mets or any other team last offseason, but they took it off the table because Alonzo didn’t say yes to them right away and he was going through everybody’s options and clearly was looking for a bigger payday. And he didn’t get that and he landed with the Mets at 50 plus million across a couple years. But point is is that the Blue Jays have been in the market for a lot of Mets top talents over the years. So this isn’t overly surprising. They are, I’m sure, were interested to a degree in Diaz back when he hit the fringe market a couple years ago before the Mets quickly inked him to that 100 plus million dollar contract. But the point I’m trying to make here today is that to suggest it’s a perfect storm that the Mets are going to lose Edwin Diaz when this is a very normal offseason process where the best reliever in the National League isn’t actually going to have suitors from top contending teams. I’m not exactly sure where this storm is finding itself brewing as a perfect thing. David Sterns has reiterated to the media how much he would love both Edwin Diaz and Petonzo to return. Diaz has made it known multiple times in the media, including as of yesterday at the time of me recording this video technically, that he would love to return to the Mets as well. Clearly, both sides have a level of interest to get this done. The negotiations have already started. So, why should we go ahead and believe that uh oh, it’s a perfect storm? Because he even states himself in this article, you know, I know what you’re thinking. Steve Con is going to go out there and he’s going to spend the big dollars. And here’s the thing, that’s true. Why wouldn’t a Mets fan think that way right now? Truthfully, Edwin Diaz has proven time and time again why he is one of the few certainties that this organization has. What is other been otherwise been a very uncertain club the past couple years. What makes you think the Mets are at all positioning themselves for greater success without bringing back a closer dominated New York Stanza market, loves being a New York Met is one of the very few players in recent years to come to the Mets, look like dog water his first year and a half here. how the entire fan base turn on him and what they felt was a lopsided trade initially with shared Kellanick being the X-factor go the other way. I know that’s hilarious in hindsight, but the point stands. Edwin Diaz has built his rep by being a dog year after year after coming out of what was the trenches in 2019 where he could not close a game for his life. 2020 short season looks solid. 2021 looks good, just can’t handle back-to-back situations or can’t handle unfortunately a flyball that just gets out by Jacob Stallings there for a walk-off grand slam in Pittsburgh. and what yours truly was in attendance for the only game I’ve ever attended at PNC Park cuz of course that happens uh to 2022 best reliever in the National League gets the big contract 2023 blows his knee for team Puerto Rico and the WBC 2024 elite closure again and it’s touching high vo 100 plus digits on the gun and postseason play 2025 only blows four to five saves out of the entire season. Edwin Diaz is yet again the biggest force to be reckoned with in all the National League among top relievers. I think the Mets have an appetite to bring Edwin Diaz back. And until we see Edwin actually sign pen to paper with another team, I’m going to continue my with my confidence that the Mets are going to bring Edwin back and it will be on somewhat of a similarly structured contract. But it’ll be something that makes sense for both sides because Ken ampl amplifies how the Mets would be comfortable knowing that Sterns has an abundance of relievers to choose from this offseason. And while I’m sure the Mets are comfortable if Diaz walks, I’m sure the Mets can handle if Diaz walks, that’s not the point. It’s not about handling. It’s the fact of the matter that you are more than likely not going to be able to upgrade that closer position should Edwin Diaz walk. It’s hard to envision that because yes, I don’t expect Edwin Diaz to be the same pitcher next year. I’d imagine that he’ll fall more in the two and a half to at worst three-year rate category because this is commonality with pitchers and their walk years. Of course, they’re going to have their best years. They either make it or break it. Some guys break it, they can’t handle the pressure and they can’t handle going into a walk year. Kind of like Zack Allen to a degree. felt like in the first half this past season for the Arizona Diamondbacks. But then you have an Edwin Diaz who’s thrived knowing that he’s going to get a big payday. So how will Diaz be if say he signs another four or five year contract the Mets and enters his age 32 season? What’s the level of comfortability versus the expectation to be the exact same pitcher again going to be? Where’s his mental fortitude going to be at? Maybe those are things you could question ponder if you’re the Mets, but you also understand what he’s like, how he operates more than any other team in baseball right now. So, you already have the upper hand as to how to bring Edwin back. You have a a guy who’s went out of his way to say how much he’d love to return when Diaz doesn’t need to say any of that to the media. He doesn’t need to give up any leverage and he already has to a certain degree just by making those remarks. So, again, if you’re the Mets here, do you really view this as a perfect storm that Edwin Diaz is going to walk? Maybe that will be the case in the end, but for right now, I believe it is far from it. This is just normal practice. Color me shocked. other top contending World Series S teams are trying to land Edwin Diaz. It’s almost like that makes sense when he is the best reliever in all the National League. I mean, that’s it for my TED talk with this one. So, you guys let me know your thoughts about Edwin Sugar Diaz there in the comments down below. Let’s see. And the info that was just relayed to me, I’m not able to relay it because it’s very, very premature. But I will say it is just regarding the fact of, you know, players of the Mets are showing interest in this offseason. And if it becomes factually reported that the Mets are in the market for this player at any point, then I of course will make a video about it. And at that point in time, when and if that should happen is when I will then relay and say, “Yes, this is what I was referring to when I said the other day I got a message. This is what that was about.” But I’m gonna leave it that for now because no reason for me to go out of my way to say something that if it’s not accurate, you lose the source, you lose the connection, you you hurt your reputability. I’m not going to do that. So, let’s go on from talking about Edwin Diaz now. And let’s get on to our next topic in this one because we talked about Edwin. We talked about what we saw there in Tatsua. Let’s talk briefly on the latest signing for the New York Mets. as we knew about Joseé Rojos because we did a video with him in it a couple days ago, but Jackson Kluff is the new one. Jackson Kluff, as you guys can see here, part of the Washington Nationals organization, 28, holds a career 688 OPS in the minor, plays all around the diamond, but mostly has been featured up the middle at second base and shortstop. Now, this is a minor league signing with a invite to spring training. So, if any of you guys are crashing out over this move, my goodness, my god, my gracious, you guys just really, really aren’t paying attention. And the reason why that frustrates me is because of the fact that every team does minor league signings every single year. You know, Jackson Kluff, if he gets any playing time with the Mets next year, that’s probably because a lot of injuries happen, unfortunately. This guy batted around 248 or so in the minor leagues this past year. Again, he has a career 688 OPS in the minors. Has never touched the major leagues. Will more than likely not touch the major leagues for the Mets next year. Just a minor league signing with a spring training invite that I’m sure will be cut after the first week or two, whatever the case may be. So, Jackson Kluff, congratulations for being part of the organization. But that’s all I really have to say about that until proven otherwise. Now, let’s go on and let’s get into uh basically our final topic today, and that is okay. Love when this thing just automatically refreshes when I didn’t ask. Like, shout out to X for that one, buddy. I did not ask you to refresh and show me David Sterns’s face when I talked about him a couple days ago already. So, let’s go ahead and get to the topic that I want to get into here. And also, regarding Adam Diaz, I actually meant to mention this, so I’m glad I’m saying it now. This is poor Francis Romero and he has been on and off this offseason with reporting. So take it to a degree with a grain of salt. But he did say Blue Jays have emerged as a strong suitor for Riceol Glacius. So you know what that would do? That would kind of completely contradict Ken Rosenthal’s reporting already which suggests that the Blue Jays are the big bad Blue Jays are already in the market for Edwin that they want to make it happen. It appears that the Blue Jays may have already found their plan B option knowing that Edwin Diaz will inevitably return to our New York Mets sparring changes. That’s all I got to say about that. Now, let’s continue on and let’s get to what I initially want to talk about with you guys. And here it is. Oh my goodness gracious. It keeps messing up here. Why do you keep doing this to me? Hi, Yos Mio. Okay, so this is what we’re going to do because this is acting all silly with me. We’re going to do it live in real time here. We’re going to go because I know it’s on underdog MLB. And what we’re going to do is we’re just going to search it. This is what I’ve been meaning to show you. And this was from Joel Sherman of the New York Post. As of yesterday, GM meetings notes. Astros have no intentions to trade Isaac Parades or Christian Walker. Brad Keller receiving inquiries as both starting pitcher and relief pitcher. Twins are more likely to move Pablo Lopez this off seasonason than Joe Ryan. That, my friends, is what we are here to talk about. Pablo Lopez is someone who I had in my video on Mets early offseason targets in the trade and Frraasier market. I talked about him at the trade deadline. Unfortunately went down with injury right around that time so it didn’t do any good. But Pablo Lopez is in my opinion one of the best and most feasible trade options for the Mets this off seasonason. Someone that yes you’re going to have to give up bassets for but not the entire farm. Not nearly to the same degree as even a rental teroble. And he’s also someone that would be able to impact this rotation right away as a top three starter. This is someone with ace caliber upside at as best as worst is a number three for you for the most part. Pab Lopez this past season only pitching 60 innings because unfortunately it’s derailed the second half with injury. But prior to 2025, Lopez pitched three consecutive seasons of 180 innings or more. The guy’s been a workhorse. We saw him dominate with the Marlins. Didn’t do well against the Mets, ironically enough. He actually was terrible against the Mets in a lot of ways. It was just bizarre. He just couldn’t handle playing the Mets, especially at City Field at times. But then everyone else he would just cruise against. So, as long as he gets trade the Mets, I can’t see why this would be an issue, right? But he’s a free agent in 2028 and he’s making over 20 mil AV. The Twins just shed payroll a boatload at this past year’s trade deadline. And clearly, they’re more interested to continue doing that to be in this freeto rebuild phase. And why wouldn’t you maximize the value of a Paba Lopez even coming off of an injury when you have a couple more years tied down and that you don’t want to spend the money on because you’re cheap schmucks there in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and you do not ever want to do what’s best for your you yourself and your organization, which is why you traded Yon Durant among many others at this past deadline. But the point is is that Pablo Lopez is a player that again is not going to cost you as many assets as Joe Ryan because Joe Ryan is deemed by many as their true ace of the rotation. Even though I think you could rightfully argue Lopez is right in that conversation. Again, let this track record speak for itself, everybody. Not just the stat line down below as he posted, you know, actually I apologize. He had 75 innings this past season. That graphic down there was technically wrong. And that’s my doing my accent because when I did that graphic, that must have been around the trade line. He pitched a little bit more, but that was that. So technically, Pablo Lopez had 75 innings this year and a 2.74 year rate. I had a 2.82. His expected ear jumped to a four. So he was not an expected darling by any stretch. He actually had numbers that said that he was pretty lucky this season. But bearing that in mind, you look at the K per nine was right around we saw there at north of a nine at 2.38 walks per nine. So his walk per nine got a little bit higher before he went down with injury, but was still good. The home run rate was fantastic at just a 71. And last season we saw in 185 innings right around the same K took ratio. Home run rate was higher. The RA was a four, but the expected rate was a 3.66 and it was a 3.2 two war year in 2023. This was the best season of Pablo Lopez’s career at this point. 194 innings, over 10 strikeouts per nine, and two walks per nine. And we saw there a 3.66 RA, but a just over three expected RA, a 4.6 war season. Pabo Lopez again is not someone that’s going to cost you nearly as many assets as a Joe Ryan, as a Terk Scoville. Are you going to have to give up some pieces? Yeah. But knowing the kind of contract that the Mets would have to eat, there is a very realistic world where the Mets would be able to land Pablo Lopez without giving up assets that we’re really going to find ourselves losing sleep over. And in turn, what do you get? Oh yeah, you get yourself a starter that’s easily top three in your rotation, a Peran Mlan, and as of now, one of Kodai Sanga or Shamani if they look good and are healthy entering spring training or say not traded, uh Lopez would be a huge pickup for this rotation. And again, as long as he fully rebounds from that injury, which I anticipate that he will, he’s a guy that when healthy is a workhorse to give you 180 to 200 innings each season, he’s still in the prime of his career. He’s entering his age 29 to 30 years. So, it’s not like, oh my god, we’re bringing in a grizzle veteran that’s already, you know, 35, 36, 37. This ain’t a Max Sher Justin Verlander situation. This is someone who’s very much still at the peak prime of his career. The Mets are not only able to maximize that, they can eat his contract comfortably. and he’s someone who out of all the pitchers available in the trade and free Asia market I think is truthfully one of the best fits for what you’d have to give up as well as what his immediate impact would be. This is someone that is not going to be overly costly efficient for you. He won’t cost you too many assets. You don’t have to deal with qualifying offer and he’s someone who can be a part of the club for more than 2026 because he’s more than a rental. Got him locked down for at least a couple years. That’s important. That’s really good value. So, all I’m saying is do not be surprised when you see Pablo Lopez’s name continue in trade talks this off seasonason and ultimately when you find the Mets more involved in that market than where they may currently be at this point in time. But guys and gals, I believe that is it for all that we want to break down in today’s video. Let me just double check to make sure that that is in fact true on my end. Just looking down here to make sure that I did not miss anything. I do not believe that I did. I believe that we are all caught up. So again guys, thank you all so much for watching. I really do appreciate it. I’m gonna your biggest takeaways and thoughts in the comments down below there. Of course, we got Kluff there and then we’ll just we’ll just leave it at the article to start the show. How about that there with Ken Rosenthal, but you guys let me know down below your thoughts on all the following topics from Edwin Diaz to Tatso Emi to Paba Lopez to Mr. Jackson Kluff and the other miscellaneous topics. And as I mentioned again, there are rumblings going around regarding Peter Lonzo and Edwin Diaz. the Mets have put in preliminary contracts for. This wouldn’t be overly surprising given the fact that talks have begun with both players over the past 48 hours at the time of me recording this video right now. But whether the Mets technically put in contract offers or not is not something that I can comfortably say to each and every one of you at this point in time. Once we have more credible reporting out there or more people backing the initial report that actually is people who have a track record of breaking news in this industry, then we will have that discussion. Until then, we’re just going to view it as hearsay and a grain of salt. Even though these things are inevitably happening, what you think the Mets aren’t going to offer Alonzo and Diaz contracts this off seasonason and you don’t think that they’re going to offer them probably more than one contract because you start low and then you work your way up to see if you can meet in the middle. Pete starts here, Mets start here, you try to meet here, Diaz starts here, you start here, you try to meet in here. Basic negotiating. Um, it will inevitably happen, but we’re just waiting official word on that front. So until then everybody, thank you again so much for watching. And I hope to run any many of you guys at City Field this Saturday um for that City Field Team Puerto Rico versus team Dom Jamaican Republic game. And if by any chance you guys find yourself in attendance at Madison Square Garden for the massive UFC card this Saturday as well, look out for your guy Wardy. I will be sitting there on the um I believe it’s the Chase Bridge if I’m not mistaken there at Madison Square Garden. That bridge that it’s only been there for the past 5 to 10 years if I’m not mistaken. I’ve been on there twice. Really really cool vantage point. It’ll be a lot of fun locking in on those UFC fights. So, that’s all I got for you guys. Thank you all so much again for watching. Until next time, have a fantastic one. And as always, no matter what a breaking news happens while I’m in the city, we will do IRL Wardy with my little mic live from the city breaking down the latest news for the Mets. Other than that, that’s all I got, guys. Thank you again for watching. As always, no matter what, no matter what, let’s go Mets. Peace out, everybody.

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