State of the Mets and interest in Cody Bellinger

State of the Mets and interest in Cody Bellinger

It is time now for diamond discussion as we are joined by two people who bounce around from gig to gig and unit to unit. Danny Wexleman and John Shremsky. Every once in a while we think about things to write JJ. Uh so Danny for this diamond discussion now that we know what the Mets plan is. How comfortable are you with having a first baseman who doesn’t have a lot of experience at first base? >> This is so curious. So I got a lot of time with Jorge Palano this postseason. I covered the ALCS and so we were in the thick of Seattle and Toronto and it was a blast to get to know him, right? He’s a great teammate. Everybody loves him. He’s very impressive. He’s powerful. He has plate discipline. He’s He can move. He’s a good infielder. But I I am so hesitant to believe that this is the first baseman for the New York Mets. There is absolutely no way you’re telling me that this guy who’s been in the league for 12 years and has been at the base of first for one at bat. I said that backwards for one at bat that he’s your first baseman. There’s no way. And all that money you just spent on this guy, you felt like he was deserving of that much money. There’s absolutely no way that this is going to be the case. And I’m hoping that there’s more to come. I have to believe there’s more to come. JJ, I I cannot believe that this will be the first baseman in the Mets. I just can’t. >> Well, for starters, I share your skepticism and I like Palano a ton. I think he’s a winning player. I think to your point, he’s versatile. He had a great run with the Seattle Mariners. He’s getting walk-off hits in the postseason. So, I love the idea that the Mets have brought him in to be a part of the team, but I heard all winter and all fall about Aan, you want to steal that thunder? >> Run prevention. >> Precisely. Run prevention. So, we’re going to replace Pete Alonzo now with somebody who has not played the position before or to your point has basically had a cup of coffee playing first base. That’s where my skepticism comes in. Love Palano. Great fit for the Mets. Just don’t love it at first base. >> Well, you know who might be able to help at first base? One, Cody Bellinger. Mark Feinand on MLB.com reporting that the Mets are quote unquote very in on Bellinger. Bellinger of course opted out of his player option for the 2026 season after hitting 29 home runs and driving in 98 runs in his only season in the Bronx. So JJ, is Bellinger a better fit in the Bronx or in Queens? A great fit for both teams, but I got to pick one. It’s the team in the Bronx. He’s hitting behind Aaron Judge. He was a perfect fit playing in Yankee Stadium. His swing is tailor made for Yankee Stadium where he can go and take advantage of that short porch. So what’s the Yankees plan if Cody Bellinger is playing for the Mets or somewhere else? Who’s protecting number 99 in that lineup? Bellinger did a wonderful job of it. To me, the fit is with the Yankees. >> Yeah. And I feel like there’s got to be some pride on the line at this point that the Mets can’t continue to take the players from the Yankees, right? Like there’s got to be a little bit of that from Brian Kman in that organization. But you nailed it. I It’s Aaron Judge. your MVP. What are you doing to make sure that someone is behind him in the lineup so that Aaron Judge can hit the ball and hit it hard and do damage? And that’s Cody Bellinger. He’s an MVP. He’s a World Series champ. He’s a rookie of the year. The experience, the tenure, and the fact that he wants to be back in pinstripes should tell you that you need to do anything in your power to get this guy back. Like, I would be desperate if I’m Brian Cashman. Especially what we talked about. The Yankees have been a snoozefest so far in this off season. We would like to see them get something done. Cody Binger is the perfect fit, the perfect guy. And if you want Aaron Judge to play postseason baseball and win a ring, get Cody Bellinger behind him. >> Yeah, you wonder what the holdup is. You have to imagine that the rest of the baseball is just waiting for the Kyle Tucker domino to fall to set that outfield market. But to your guys point, I think the Yankees should hurry up and go make that a done deal. But uh Edwin Diaz is in the news once again as ESPN reports that after receiving offers from the Mets, Braves, and Dodgers, the closer asked for less deferred money and a higher annual average value. The Mets, according to a source, refused to meet those terms, which opened the dodge which opened the door for the Dodgers to increase their offer. So Danny, now that we know even more details, what’s your take on how the Mets handle the Diaz negotiation? When you’re a top five luxury tax payroll team and and you’re a team that plays in the largest market in the country in the sport, the word refused shouldn’t be in your vocabulary. The word can’t or shouldn’t or won’t shouldn’t be in your vocabulary if you if you really want to play in the deep end of the pool. You have all these resources and all this money. And Edwin Diaz since the year 2021 is the second most valuable relief pitcher. That’s behind Emanuel Class A. He’s second in strikeouts per nine. This is the guy that you need. It’s not like he’s a luxury. It’s not like, oh, it would be so nice to have him because Devin Williams is not a closer. He can close and he will close games, but he’s not a closer. He has 86 in his career. Edund Diaz has almost $30. And so for you to not even play with this guy and see what he wants and meet him where he’s at. And the difference was $3 million. I’m lost with this one. I I’m completely lost. I kind of understand Petonzo. I don’t understand the Edwin Diaz situation. And that’s a shame because they lost one of the best. And now he goes to the Dodgers. Good luck in the postseason facing your former teammate. >> Bingo. You want to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers. They are the team to beat. Obviously, they’ve won back-to-back World Series championships. You have a massive gap to close. Well, that gap became that much wider with the idea of that guy and the trumpets and everything he brings to the ninth inning now a part of Dodger Blue and not wearing the orange and blue of the New York Mets. And yeah, when it comes to the Mets and their finances, we know Steve Cohen has unlimited resources. We know Steve Cohen has already put serious revenue into this baseball team. Just look at the Juan Sto contract from a year ago. So, when it comes to the money aspect of Edwin Diaz and deferred contracts or an extra $3 million, if I’m a Met fan, I don’t want to hear it. Why is this guy not back as a part of my bullpen? And why now all of a sudden is he a part of their bullpen?

On SportsNite, Eamon McAnaney, Dani Wexelman and John Jastremski have a Diamond Discussion about the comfort level of Jorge Polanco playing first base for the Mets, is Cody Bellinger better fit for the Mets or the Yankees, and share more reaction to Edwin Diaz signing with the Dodgers after all the latest reports.

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