🚨 Mets Insider Reveals OFFSEASON PLAN for 2026 | Mets News

🚨 Mets Insider Reveals OFFSEASON PLAN for 2026 | Mets News

Today on Metcast, we are joined by John Harper of SNY, who’s going to give us the lowdown on what is going on with this New York Mets off season. Plus, we’ll be getting to some of your comments and questions. So, make sure to stick around on this edition of Metcast. [Music] And with that said, welcome to the show, John. Hope all is well. I’m also here with my co-host Dan Bartell’s at the New York Post. John, let’s get right into it. First off, we got to address the elephant in the room. The Brandon NMO trade right off the bat. What do you make of that? The return of Marcus Simeon and some of the comments made by Brandon Nmo. I’m sure you know about them. Yeah. You know, I mean, I I think it all depends what happens after this. I mean, I on the surface, I kind of like the deal because that contract was going to be a bad contract with NMO five more years. you’re still taking on a lot of money with Simeon who’s been, you know, on the decline the last couple years offensively. We know he’s a good second baseman. So, we hear a lot about run prevention and all that, but listen, they they need to replace that bat in the lineup and and get a bat for the outfield if this trade is going to work now. Uh otherwise, to me, it’s just a case of trying to get out of a contract. So, we’ll see. I mean, Bellinger is the obvious guy, but uh I think uh I think NMO has kind of got to the point where he’s not a great outfielder anymore, so I get the move, but you got to replace him now. And I I just don’t think this lineup is good enough. We, you know, we got to see what happens to Alonzo, if they get Bellinger, things like that. But I mean, in theory, I like the move, but it all depends on what they do next. What uh if Sterns is is committed to this run prevention and he’s not going to go out and get bats to add to this offense, then I’m not sure it’s such a great move. Yeah, I do. You think, in your opinion, do you think that that move was made to open up left field or is it more about just getting great up the middle defense? I I think it was I think it was both. I think he saw an opportunity to get out of a contract that he thought was going to be a bad contract. NMO has had he’s had a lot of injuries. I’m not sure he’s going to age well in the next five years, uh, especially defensively. So, I think that was an opportunity. He is bringing on money here, three years with Simeon, but it’s a shorter term deal. and we know he’s really good defensively though. But you know, I’ve had this back and forth a little bit on baseball night with Sal Lacata. You know, he loves the move. But I’m say what I was saying to him was McNeel is not terrible defensively. He was okay at second base. So you’re getting an upgrade, but it’s not like you absolutely had to have a guy that’s going to make that make a difference defensively there. I think it works if but only if we listen, we saw we all saw this offense last year how inconsistent it was. Now you got pieces missing potentially if you don’t bring Alonzo back. I mean that that’s a that would be a big blow. So I have real concerns about I I thought they needed to upgrade this offense. Now taking NMO was still it was still a guy that could give you give you a decent run offensively. So you’re taking a little bit of a step back by bringing on Simeon for NMO basically. So I think he needs to do more. Absolutely. While we’re on topic, John, you bring in a second baseman and Marcus Simeon. Forget about Brandon NMO, right? is another left-handed bat that might suffer as a result of this and that’s Jeff McNeel. You mentioned him. Do you see him on this team? Because I know David Sterns when he speaks to the media, he has to kind of put on a show in a way. He’s talking up Jeff McNeel even though he might trade him. Do you see that position versatility factoring into the Mets in 26 with McNeel or do you not even see him on this team? It feels like it it feels like he’s on the way out. I just I have a feeling and I should have mentioned this earlier. The biggest thing I think I I gotta give Sterns credit. He was willing to break up the core which we in with the NMO trade which I thought was necessary you know because obviously something work wasn’t working here with this core you know they they haven’t uh they kind of underachieved in in recent years overall. So I like that move to to kind of make break up the core. I think I feel like McNeel might be part of that manu maneuvering here. Now, he could fill a role with his versatility still as a as a kind of a utility man second base. He may even end up playing some first base if he stays. If Alonzo’s not there, we’ve heard that potentially Alonzo, I mean potentially McNeel and Vientos, which is not a great combination at first base. But McNeel can fill a lot of roles for you. But it also feels like they want to give more opportunity, have some opportunity for their younger guys, whether it’s Akunia, Batty, uh even a Jet Williams. We don’t know where he’s going to play now, especially with Simeon at second base. So, I think there’s still a lot to go on this winter. A lot of moves to be made, a lot of more potential guys moving in trade. It does feel like to me like maybe McNeel McNeel will be on the move, too. I have to agree with you, John. We talk about moves for the Mets. Obviously, the big move was the one they made a couple days ago, bringing in Devin Williams, three for 45 with a $6 million signing bonus. Three for 51. John, do you like the Devin Williams move? And how do you think this relates to now Edwin Diaz in the back end of that bullpen? Yeah, I feel a little bit like this the same as NMO. What what’s next? I feel like this works much better if he’s if Williams is your setup guy for Diaz. If you go ahead and commit now and bring on bring back Diaz that now that’s an elite back end of the road uh the bullpen. If you got Williams and Diaz potentially a guy like menture the lefty coming back with another lefty now you got that bullpen pretty well set up. But if you don’t bring Diaz back, I got some questions about Devin Williams. I know, you know, he struggled early. We know that last year in the Bronx. Uh his numbers still look good. But if you watch the games, you know, he struggled with walks and just body language. I think a lot of it was mental trying to live up to the expectations. So you wonder now if he’s thrown into the closing role. He got through it in with at the Yankees and pitched well at the end of the year, but the expectations of of following Diaz as the closer there, would that again kind of play with him mentally? So, I wonder about that. I think he’d be much more comfortable in a setup role, which is where he was at his best in Milwaukee when her was still there. So, I feel like that is the move, but and I’ I’ve been told by people in the Mets organization, they still do want to sign Diaz, but I do feel like this gives them a little bit of a reason to draw a line in the sand as far as how much they’re willing to pay Diaz. So, going to be real interesting. Depends on who else is out there bidding. We know Diaz is the top guy for relievers, so uh I’m not sure they’re going to go all out to get him. That remains to be seen. But I do think they need him. Otherwise, there’s still some questions about Williams. Now, let me ask you this, Jon. It’s something that I posted on X earlier today. Got a ton of interaction. I really watched David Stern’s time in Milwaukee. We all knew he was going to be the president of baseball operations eventually. The rumors were out there for years. But one thing he is known for is when guys are about to turn 30 or are 30, especially pitchers, he typically does not go long term. Look at what he did back then with with the haters of the world. It was like a must get must get out of that. I know they didn’t want to pay him, but I also think this is not an unlimited budget. If the Mets are going to go big in left field, add another potential starting pitcher. You already gave without deferrals. I know there are deferrals, but I’m putting without deferrals $17 million a year to Williams. I am struggling to see how the Mets and it’s projected obviously it’s projected we’re not totally sure but spotre has Edwin Diaz projected at four years 88 million so $22 million a year I find it very hard to believe knowing how David Sterns operates his teams investing nearly $40 million in just two pitchers out of the bullpen yes a closer in a setup which would be nice but he never did that in Milwaukee you know yeah he well he didn’t have that kind of money. But I do I kind of agree with you. That’s kind of my gut feeling is that maybe they’re not going to go get Diaz now. They’re not certainly not going to go all out for him. And I think, you know, we know, look, we know Sterns, at least it seems like he’s all about value, right? And now he got Williams for as a closer for a pretty good price. And now if he doesn’t have Diaz, now he’s got value in that pen just in terms of the money he’s spending. And you know, is that what drives him? Is that really what his commitment is to is finding the best value everywhere he can to build a team? Uh he he he doesn’t necessarily have to be that guy in New York, but it seems like that’s his mentality and that’s what a lot of Mets fans don’t like about him is he still seems to have a little bit of that Milwaukee mentality. So this off season is huge for him. That’s what I kind of wrote a column the other day saying basically with these first two moves, the NMO trade and the Williams uh move, it sort of opened the door potentially to kind of a home run of an off season for him. But that’s if only if he goes out and, you know, and makes big moves to go with it. If he doesn’t, you know, it could be a swing and a miss in in in been broad terms. So, I’m really interested to see. But I I kind of I kind of I see what you’re saying. I kind of feel like he would would not want to overpay for a closer like Diaz or any closer for a four or five year guy who’s in his 30s. That’s that is kind of his reputation. So, it’s going to be interesting because there are other ways to do it. you could go out and spend on maybe a Suarez or maybe even a Fairbanks and pair him with in the back of that pen with some of those other guys. Uh but I feel like, you know, Diaz has been a lock down guy. He’s a differencemaker. And if you’re talking about run prevention, well, there’s nothing more important than late inning relief it come when it comes to run prevention. Well, that’s kind of my thinking. And I’m like maybe if the Mets sign Diaz, it’s a sign that the starting pitching market may be too strong for the New York Mets. Clearly, there’s not a crazy ace type pitcher out there, but we can get to Amai. We could touch on that. I know Dan is huge on Amay, and I’m starting to come around here or there, but I have a feeling he’s going to end up going out west like it seems like all the uh Japanese players have been doing lately. But when you’re talking about run prevention, like you said, the back of the bullpen, if the Mets do sign Diaz, could you see that as a sign of, you know what, we’re just going to load the heck out of the pen. Hopefully our pitchers can get us to the six and then let our dominant pen take over after that. Similar to what the Yankees did a few years ago with Miller, Batanzis, Chapman. You know, once you got past the six, the game was over. Yeah. I mean, the only reason I would say I I can’t believe they were not going to add to the pitching is because how badly the starting pitching failed them down the stretch. I mean, the injuries were a big part of it. We know that with Sena, Maniah, and then whatever happened with Peterson in the second half, some other guys. So, I do think they’re going to add to that rotation, but how big are they going to go? I think that’s the question. Uh, and I wrote something today even about Sena. I mean, do they do you bring him does it make sense to bring him back or trade him? You could save some money by trading him that maybe you could use for Diaz or another starting pitcher, but on the other hand, he does have high-end potential there. And I I did a column where I talked to some other people around the league who feel like maybe the Mets would be best served to keep him just because when you look at what the do this a couple people raised this point to me. When you look at what the Dodgers did last year, they only had one guy that threw a more than 112 innings in the regular season last year because they had so many injuries in starting rotation. But when they they got them all healthy at the end of the year and there was Snell, there was Glass, there was Otani as well as Yamamoto who was the one guy who pitched like 170 some innings. So there are different ways to do it now because it’s so much about just getting to the postseason and if you have enough depth to do that then you can take a chance with guys who maybe have injury history like like a Sena now because you know when he’s right he has a potential for dominance. So I don’t know I mean I’d be tempted to trade him just because he needs that extra day. He does have an injury history now and he seems to be a little bit quirky about his mechanics but I can see why there’d be it makes sense to hang on to him because I don’t think you’re getting a lot of value back in return. So, I guess that’s a long way of saying I do think they need still need to make uh upgrades in their rotation no matter what they do in the bullpen. Do you think seeing this Dylan C’s contract kind of bolstered Sangga’s value? You look at two years $15 million a year and when he’s on and we know it’s when but he’s a premium starter one and a half RA first few months of the season last year. We’ve seen what he could do in the past. Says that he was still injured when he came back but was trying to fight for the team. Now he’s injured every single year. We’ve seen that. But some people like to blame Pete. You know, where do you see that? Do you see his value potentially going up from there? Cuz when you look at what Cottra, $15 million a season for two years for a SA could be an absolute bargain for a team. It could be. You could see where maybe a smaller market team especially would really be intrigued by that. Uh, but I still don’t think you even if they’re taking on that money, I don’t think you’re getting even an equal value in return because they know the Mets are going to want to get out from under that money and probably try and do some other things with it. But I was kind of stunned by the uh the cease money just because he, as you said, he’s been really inconsistent when he’s on. He’s he’s dominant, but he’s been off and on every other year it seems like, and he’s had a lot of struggles. He walks a lot of guys. I I was surprised he got seven years for 210. The Blue Jays, they can afford to do it because they don’t actually need him as their top guy. They have Gman there and and the young guy, you Savage. So, they’re really building something there. But I I I just I I think that if maybe that does set the market and maybe that maybe that convinces the Mets too to even more go harder after a trade for pitching rather than a free agent signing because uh they do have the pieces to make a trade whether it’s you know I know you guys have talked about it. I don’t think Scoo’s getting traded but maybe a Joe Ryan, maybe Peralta from Milwaukee, uh maybe Al Alcantara, somebody like that. I think the Mets are going to be motivated to explore every opportunity to make a trade there. Yeah, they definitely have to bolster up this this starting rotation, John. No doubt about it. The only thing with Amay was that he wanted to be the only Japanese player on a team. So, that was one a weird comment, but two kind of thought, you know, maybe they’re trying to trade SA to bring in Amai, but there is a weird clause in Sanga’s contract, John, where he gets $100,000 if he wins reliever of the year. Uh I don’t don’t foresee that to happen. Um, but it could be something down the line like a Sasaki where, hey, you have these two big price tags in Pete Alonzo and Edwin Diaz. Maybe you let one go and maybe you say, “Hey, I could spend that money elsewhere.” It’s something definitely to think about. But yeah, uh, the other guy who of course we talked about Diaz, now it’s about Pete and Well, let let me just jump in there one quick quickly. I I do love the comment from Amay about, hey, I want to be the guy that beats the Dodgers, beats Otani, not the guy that goes and joins him like Yamamoto and Sasaki did. So, I think if you’re if you’re especially a team in New York like the Mets or even the Yankees, I think you got to love that and you say, “Hey, maybe this is a guy we should go get.” So, he’s an interesting guy from that that standpoint. Anyway, definitely. Definitely. And listen, the whole Japanese market, right, Okamoto Murakami on the offensive side, it’s going to be very interesting to see what happens. But the big piece we’re waiting on to see about those other pieces is Pete Alonzo. And I don’t know how you feel, John. I want to get your opinion. We got it a couple months back. Just kind of, you know, seeing what to expect. Now we have the off season and there’s been no market that has emerged for Pete Alonzo as of now. Um I’d love to get your opinion on that. Why is there no market for build building for Pete Alonzo? And how does he expect the rest of this off seasonason to go? I know. I I think it goes back to the same thing we talked about last year. You know, he’s first right-handed hitting first baseman in his 30s. Probably won’t age well, especially defensively now. And I do think the Mets need his bat in that lineup. You know, they lean heavily left-handed now. I think he he was really he had a great year. We talked about that. You know, he came through. He was probably maybe their best clutch hitter uh from start to finish. But I do have major concerns about the defense. And it’s not so much about the metrics. I know I hear people talk about the metrics. I think he’s okay overall defensively, but that throwin just scares the heck out of me because, you know, we saw it with SA and we saw it with other he put other pitchers in harm’s way some of those throws and I think it’s I think it’s a mental thing as much as anything whether it’s underhand or overhand, he just has problems in that area and that’s something that can cost you at any time in a big game and re especially after seeing uh what a difference uh Vlad Jr. made with his defense at first base in the postseason. Man, you can see now that that can be a difference maker for a team and it’s just hard for me to think that they the Mets can win a championship with Alonzo playing first base. So, as much as I think they need his bat, I think you have to have and I think you have to need some sort of agreement from him that he’s going to as at least transition at some slowly or if not quickly into it being more of a DH. Play some first base, but be a DH. And when you get to the postseason, I think you got to have somebody else be in playing first base there. And that was good that his agent Scott Boris kind of clarified that at the G basically saying, “Hey, he can be a DH to any 30 teams if you guys want him to be.” That’s my question to you, John. Say they bring Pete back. Obviously, he leans more in DH, but he’s still playing first, I think, some of the time. Like opening day, Pete Alonzo is running out to first base, but in those critical postseason games, I agree with you. Do you bring in another defensive specialist at first base? And what’s kind of the share of percentage of DH to first base that we can expect for Alonzo if he is back? Yeah. Well, that’s where a guy like Bellinger would be such a great fit because he can play first, he can play the outfield, he can move around, and so you can split that up with Alonzo any way you want. Uh if not, you know, this guy Akamoto is interesting from Japan. I He’s not the big slugger. That’s Murakami. But but Murakami is supposed big swing and miss, big big power, but also not good defensively where Okamoto is supposed to be pretty good defensively there. So, and maybe that works. Think he’s a left-handed hitter, right? So, maybe that works with Alonzo as well. Uh otherwise, there aren’t a lot of obvious options in that sense. That’s where, you know, I think actually McNeel probably could be a pretty f good first baseman if he’s just in some sort of situation there with Alonzo. But I it’s ideally Bellinger is the best fit. Uh but I do think they have to have that in their plans because I just don’t if you’re the Mets, I just don’t think you want Alon especially as much as Sterns talks about run prevention. He has to see that with Allonzo and just can’t want him in there in the big games. John, now let me You know what’s interesting? I read through a lot of our members comments guys and you want to get your comments read. Make sure especially if you’re members get them in now. Jim was saying over here and I could not agree with it more. He says, “How do how do we replace 200 plus runs of production after dropping NMO and Pete had 92 and 126.” I mean, you could talk run prevention all you want, John, but if you can’t People forget we couldn’t score for two months. Yeah. Like we were losing games two to one. Felt like every single night when the pitching was on it was like that. And I’m like, right now, if Pete walks, John, what is the backup plan? I mean, yeah, it’s nice to say Morakami. Morakami’s got a 120 OPS against 93 miles an hour plus, which you don’t see in Japan. And everybody throws that here in the States. So, I’m not convinced he’s going to come in all of a sudden hit 35 bombs. When you look at the market, there’s really nothing there. And then you hear also Mark Ventos’s comments this off seasonason. Right now the Mets have him splitting time defensively at first and third where I think in a in the grand scheme of things I don’t think Mark Bentos should be here. But I guess that’s time for another conversation. I don’t see them going out and getting Tucker. And even if you bring in Bellinger, he still scares the you know what out of me. John, when we look at his splits home and away, it’s scary. The guy’s got a 900 plus OPS at home and on the road it was like 715, like low 700s. And I told Dan, I said, “We’re gonna pull this up for you guys in the future. I don’t have it right now, so excuse me for not being prepared. I would love to see how many of the doubles and home runs he hit at Yankee Stadium would be doubles and home runs considered in other ballparks because when you see that big of a disparity, City Field is it’s deep in the valleys. You know, it’s a wall scraper at Yankee Stadium even three or four rows back is a pop fly out at City Field, especially early on when the ball doesn’t carry the first couple months. It’s just where where do they pivot? What is the pivot there, John? Hey, those are all good points. And Bellinger, he’s Yeah, he’s not he’s not he’s not a guy that’s going to come in and save your offense. He’s not that he’s not that guy, but he is a he’s become a very good two strike hitter. He I think of I think he had the highest average against of left-handed hitters against left-handed pitching. So, he he hits left-handed pitching and he he puts the ball in play. Uh I it I mean those splits do uh have give you some pause. I mean, Yankee Stadium obviously was perfect for him, but I just love the way he’s he’s a baseball player. He runs the bases really well. The defense, we talked about that, but that doesn’t address what you’re saying. That’s why Alonzo to me feels like he’s so important. If they lose him after trading NMO, they got a huge hole in the middle of that lineup. Uh especially in terms of protecting Sodto and everything else. So, uh I wouldn’t want Makami. As I mentioned before, I think Okamoto is a better fit. He’s not the big power guy, but he’s more of a 300 type hitter and he’s a better defender. So, he could maybe be the guy to replace Alonzo if Alonzo’s gone, but then you still you still you’re you’re weaker offensively. And as you said, we saw this offense go through periods where they just didn’t score runs. So, they’d have to find ways to supplement the offense. I do think they’re they’re kind of looking at Benj Carson Benj saying at some point next year, he comes along and he’s a really he’s a guy that people love his bat. Scouts love his bat. uh his advanced approach at the plate. So, he could be a guy there’s no there’s no room for Jet Williams now right now. So, you know, not Jet John, the only player I’ve had on the podcast. We’re going to trade him right after I interview him, John. So, listen, they got major major holes to fill if they don’t bring Alonzo back. And there’s no obvious way to do it. You know, Ryan O’Harn’s not necessarily the answer at first base either. So I I just I’ve seen that name come up a lot actually in our chat right now as we’re talking. Oh yeah. Yeah. I mean he’s okay but he’s not going to be you know you’re still you’re not as good offensively as you were last year and they need to be better I think than they were last year. So um that’s that’s I mean I know they’re going to be better defensively and you should be better pitching wise but we saw them struggle with the bats and that that’s really that could be a problem again. John, we got a super chat here and a question for you from BG the kid checking in. You mentioned the name before. Any Mets interest in Munitaka Murakami? Um, you know, he’s a big slugger, swinging miss as you said. Could you see, you know, Vientos in the mix, Makami, a McNeel kind of piecing together in the absence of Petonzo? Well, from what I’ve heard about him, it’s just not a good fix. As you mentioned, not great against high velocity fast balls, swing, a lot of swing and miss, and not good defensively either. So the other guy, that’s where I feel like Okamoto is a better fit. Murakami’s got to be tempting because he’s he does have big power, but when you when you hear everything else about him, it feels like, you know, that’s not necessarily a guy you would trust coming over to because there’s so much higher velocity on a regular basis in the major leagues compared to the Japanese baseball. That could be a real issue for him. Yeah. Yeah. And then we we followed up. John, thanks so much. John says, “Who’s most likely to get traded next, John?” I mean, personally for me, I think it’s Jeff McNeel. And I have a hot take for you, but I want to get your question on this. I was throwing it by Dan today. A bold prediction that I have. Uh oh. Okay. Uh, well, I mean, yeah, I mentioned McNeel before, but he’s not the guy that’s going to bring you back if you’re going going to get a starting pitcher. So, I think it would have to they’d have to be get dip into that form system for maybe a Jet Williams or maybe uh you know, one of the pitchers, Sprro or Tong to go with uh and build a package for a Joe Ryan, for a Peralta, for an Alcantra, somebody like that. I think those are the guys that are going to be traded. Maybe if a team like I mean the Twins probably aren’t looking to win next year, but if a team is still trying to win next year and maybe the Marlins are trying to win, maybe they would want Peterson back and hope that he he bounces back or bring Peterson in a trade. Maybe he bounces back to his first hat form last year. A lot of ways the Mets could do it, but they’re going to have to give a package some of their top prospects because they that’s what they’ve done. They’ve been building to this point for the last few years where they have the depth in their system to make a trade like this. I think now is the time to do it, especially now that you you have essentially blocked Jet Williams at second base. Yeah, absolutely. And here’s what I was talking with Dan today. Here’s my bold prediction. Well, I don’t say bold prediction, but I think this player is going to get moved. I think he is a David Sterns type player. Talk about defense. And it also allows the Mets to free up to do something else. But I look across at St. Louis, they’re moving heaven and earth right now, John, to try to get out from underneath that no one ironado contract. And I’m not saying I want him, but when you want to talk about a platinum glove, you would have gold gloves pretty much all over the infield. Lindor, you’d have Aronado, you’d have Simeon. This infield defense will look crazy different. You look at the three the two years left about 30 million, a little over $32 million. Maybe you con you say you’ll take him back and you convince him to give him a prospect as well considering they’re just trying to get rid of this contract. His defensive metrics, he’s still in the 81st percentile on defense. And then what it potentially allows the Mets to do is someone who actually does have value if you’re shopping to get, and I see it a lot in the chat, a Pablo Lopez, a Joe Ryan, that type of pitcher who we seen the report earlier today how the Twins are trying to get out from money because they’re leaking like a sie supposedly. They might consider moving one of these pitchers. Brett Batty’s got a ton of value in my opinion. 25 years old, really came out in the second half, hit when nobody else was hitting down the stretch in August. You kind of, you know, you bring in Aronado, it frees up Batty to be moved. Maybe you take out, you get one of these pitchers and that still allows you to spend on Pete and a left fielder considering Aronado is only making 15 million. Could you see a potential where you’re like, you know what, Kodi Sanga, Brett Batty, and another lower level prospect to get one of these pitchers. It allows them to supplement their pitching. SA has two years left, so when he’s on, he’s on. We we both agree with that. Batty’s still promising after what he did in the second half last year. Give them an opportunity to play fulltime there in Minnesota. I think it kind of that kind of plan kind of makes sense in my head, maybe it doesn’t yours. I would love to get your take on that. Well, if you can if you can pull all those pieces together, I think it could make sense. But I don’t know, man. That’s a risky going out and getting Oronado. I don’t think he’s got a whole lot left offensively. He still has a good glove as you said, but that’s uh if if that somehow plays into saving money and for Pete, maybe that works. But otherwise, I’m not sure he you know, if you if it comes down to that and and this would probably be separate from a Alonzo thing, but you could also go out and get Bregman and play third base. It’s going to cost you money, but it’s not going to and then you still have to make a trade of prospects for pitching, but he would fill a hole there and he would give you a better offensively bat than Areronado. So, I don’t know. I mean, you’re you’re right. The C card Cardinals are desperate to get out from under that contract. So, you’re not going to have to give up anything, but you are bringing on pretty significant money and he just doesn’t look like he adds a lot offensively at this point. John, we talk about trading for a platinum glove in Aronado. How about trading for another platinum glove in Fernando Tatis Jr. Is that something Mets fans can expect? Is there a likelihood there? And how could you see the off the outfield shaping up in 26 regardless of Tatis? Do you like Sto and right? Do you like him in left? Especially in the absence of NMO. Yeah, I I mean it’s it’s a nice idea, I think, in some ways because he does give you gold glove defense. Yeah, as you said, platinum defense in right field. He’s such a great athlete. Uh but man, at nine years, that’s a major commitment, too. And you know what? when you look at his numbers, he’s still a good player, but he’s not the superstar we thought he was going to be since the peed stuff. You know, he’s put up good numbers since then, but not like he was before that. So, I worry a little bit about that. That’s a major commitment. And uh if you’re going to make that com that kind of commitment, yeah, I mean, you are upgrading defense. But then I would just go pay Alonzo, go pay Bellinger, go pay Tucker, somebody like that. I don’t want nine years on the books because you already have Sodto for a long period, you have Lindorf still for a long period. So, I’d be a little bit worried really about clogging up the whole field with those long-term deals. Do you see Sto in right field next year? I think so. I mean, I think he could move to left. He uh Cityfield probably left field might be a little easier to play left and than right because it seems a little smaller, but I I don’t know if he’d be comfortable with that. You know, he’s not great. But I know there’s a lot of talk too about him and the problems defensively, but I tell you, I watched just about every game and I didn’t think he was a huge problem out there. I know again the metrics aren’t great, but when you watch him play, he’s very sure-handed. Anything he gets to, he catches. He doesn’t always take great routes. We know that. But I can’t remember more than maybe a few games where he really had a really bad route and maybe cost you a game. He also charges balls really hard on ground balls to singles to the right field, comes up throwing. He’s got a pretty good arm, pretty accurate. So, I don’t think he’s killing you out there. Uh I think you can live with him there for a few more years before maybe he has to become a DH. So, I’m not that worried about that. I probably wouldn’t move him unless I absolutely had to. I mean, listen, if you get Tucker and he’s he’s more comfortable on the right, then I think Soda would be okay moving a left, but uh I think ideally I’d like to leave him there. Now, we have this really quick before we get to our next topic. Juan, thanks so much. Uh you guys don’t have to do this, by the way, just become members and I’ll I’ll get to you. But I we appreciate that so much. Obviously, you cut the line. his idea, John, trade for Jared Durant, a player that we heard potentially linked to the Mets last year, Pete and Diaz stay Valdez and Lopez and bring up Clifford to play first. I think Clifford would be a little later on in the year, but what are your thoughts on that? Thanks again, Juan. Uh, wait, you lost me a little bit there. Duran and who? So, he’s saying, uh, trade for Durant, you keep Pete and Diaz, you sign Valdez, I assume, trade for Lopez. So, you’d be trading for Durant and Lopez and retaining Pete and Diaz and then eventually bring up Ryan Clifford to play first, which I think there’s there’s a reason why he’s here and they valued him so much at the trade deadline. John, maybe you feel differently, but here I’ll leave it up on the screen so you could see it while you’re responding. Okay. Yeah. Uh I think we need to see more from Clifford. He hasn’t done a lot in TripleA yet, but he does have a lot of potential, power potential there. Uh left-handed bat. Um that’s a lot. That’s a Those are two big trades though. Uh going out and getting Durant and Pablo Lopez. That’s a lot to give up. I’m not sure they have the pieces to get both those guys. I mean, they do, but now you’re really dipping into your system. Uh in terms of that, so I but I do that fills holes for sure. Durant’s going to give you some offense and you you add Lopez and Valdez to that rotation. Now you’re talking. So now you have a lot of flexibility and uh I theoretically I like those moves. I’m just not sure they’d be willing to make both of those trades and give up as many prospects or or major league ready players as it would take. While we’re on the topic quick, John, I just want to get your quick opinion. With the winter meetings coming up, is there a likelihood that TK SKville gets dealt and would the Mets be in line there, which I assume they would be, but I Yeah, I think they have to be first in line. I just, you know, I did a story on this a proc early in the in the offseason talking to people who, you know, were familiar with the situation in Detroit. Just feeling like there’s so much pressure on that Detroit uh front office and the ownership especially to keep school and go for it next year. You know, they haven’t won a World Series since 84, so 40 plus years like the Mets. And uh they have a I mean, theoretically they have an opportunity. They would have to beef up some of the rest of their team. Uh but if you keep school, you do have a chance. And uh you know the owner there is Christopher Ilich. He’s the son of the late Mike Ilich who really used to spend kind of like Ste the Stein Runners or George Steinbrunner it would spent more than that Tiger team you would think would would afford but since he died Christopher doesn’t spend that way. So there’s already he’s not the most popular guy in town. There’s a lot of people out there that feel like, you know, they they’d be showing up at the uh at the gates with pitchforks and whatever to run him out of town. So, I I have a feeling they’re not going to trade him, but if they do, the Mets have every every piece to go get him. The only guy I’m not trading is is uh you know who. Mane. Yeah. You would trade Benj. I’m trying to hold on to Benj, too, but if I absolutely had to for school, I mean, I hate to do it for one. I don’t know, John. One year probably one year than the lockout. Now he’s 31. You’re going to pay him a 10-year contract. You know what I mean? That’s my biggest fear because, you know, Sterns is not doing it. Like what do we I know if you’re talking schemes, it’s a different story because you got to be under control for four years. But it would be bench loss, you know, cuz look at every team that would get involved, you know. Let me ask you this. What do you think it would take to get a Jared Durant? Obviously, we’re friends with a lot of Red Sox people. They’re all, “Oh, send me Carson Benj.” I’m like, “You guys are whatever you’re on, I want a little bit of that, too, you know, but what do you honestly think it would take?” Cuz Durant’s defense is up there. his OPS is, you know, he could be the prototypical leadoff hitter that I’ve been screaming for s for two years now because John, if we’re being real, Francisco Lindor is not making $32 million a year to be a run producer, not a leadoff hitter. And you know, if you had Duran, Lindor, Sodto, Allonzo four, and potential Bellinger five, I don’t know if they would ever do something like that, but you know, like to lengthen that lineup a little bit because Pete Allonzo should not be a three hitter in my opinion, right? Yeah. Um, as far as Durant goes, I I’m not sure they match up because the Red Sox, they have a lot of good young position players. The reason Duran might be available is because they have a lot of outfield lot they have surplus in the outfield. So, what do they need? You would think they would need pitching, but they just uh got Sunny Gray and uh they have some other pitchers now that fit into that rotation, but I mean, I’m not sure the Mets have the pieces they would be looking for pitching wise and whatever else. Maybe they would want one of the Young Mets pitchers. Maybe that would get it done, but I’m if I’m in the Mets, I’m not sure. Durant, is he the guy you want to give up a tong or a spro for as part of a package? You know, I’m not sure that that I think you’re better off trying to use that for a high-end pitcher than a position player. But again, it all comes back to what else they do this off seasonason because they do need to find a bat like that in some way. Definitely. I wanted to get your quick thoughts just transitioning away from the trademark for a second, free agency for a second. There was a report from Mike Puma this past week about the Mets clubhouse and just you know issues in the past and between McNeel Lindor Sodto and Lindor having the best relationship. Do you put any stock in that or do you think winning is is the best deodorant at the end of the day and it cures all? Yeah, I mean I think you can win with even if guys don’t love each other in a clubhouse. There was clearly something going on early in the year. We saw Sto uh he he just didn’t look comfortable. We talked a lot about the body language wasn’t the same as he went with the Yankees and all that, but as the year went on, he looked a lot more comfortable. It was interesting that later in the year, he came out and basically called Marte the leader of the team. Yeah. So, I do wonder if there’s a little bit I don’t know, it didn’t look like friction, but maybe they just stood and you know this I think the story Puma story said they’re basically two different people. Well, okay. If that’s the case, they can certainly coexist. The McNeel thing is a little bit different because they they’ve banged heads a couple of times now over the years. We know that with certain situations, but it’s it’s you know, I mean, it’s interesting because NMO was I think he was part of that leadership in there and we’ve heard I’ve heard for a while that Lindor wants to be the guy. I think that’s part of it. And whether or not people think he tries a little bit too hard to be that guy, maybe that’s maybe that rubs some people the wrong way. But listen, I just I don’t think that’s why they didn’t win. I I think there were a lot more lot of issues. I think it was more about just not producing, but it you know, you got a guy like Simeon coming in now who has a great reputation as a leader, a nononsense guy. Maybe that plays into it as well. Uh but I I would think that, you know, Mets Mets brass is at least going to take notice of that story and try and make sure that they’re they’re they’re really, you know, they got their hands on the pulse of that look locker room. For sure. That’s that some of that falls on Mendoza as well. It does. I agree, John. Let me look. We were talking about fans that would show up with pitchforks. If the New York Mets lure Cody Bellinger to Queens, what are the Yankees going to do? I mean, I hate to ask any questions about the Yankees, but I mean, you want to talk about a a fan group who’ll be angry at House Stein Runner and those, you know what I mean? It’s like, what would then hap what would happen then? you have uh you know and he’s going to be here for what seven or eight years if he does sign. So for the next decade you’re gonna have you know potentially Bellinger and Sodto in the outfield which I’m not opposed to. I think you would agree with me the best options for the New York Mets is to retain Pete and bring in Bellinger because defensively it works long longterm wise it works with the DH role which I don’t like I’m with you. I think Pete will be able to play first base the next few years. Full-time bases, probably not. But I would tell him this off season, you better be throwing a thousand pitch pitches to the guy to a pitcher running the first. I don’t care if it’s your dad, your brother, your sister, you better have them running from a mount to first base. You better hit him in the chest every time because we can’t have somebody get hurt because of him. But think about what the possibilities are. Anybody get anybody gets injured in the outfield, you can move from the center to right. Pika turt you move him to first base. I mean, for me, it’s a complete win-win. And it think about what it could do to this lineup if Carson Bench or Jet Williams, dare I say, which probably not, but what if one of them turns out to be the real deal and they could be, you know, Jet Williams steals 60 bags down in the miners, projects to be a speed demon up here, real high IQ player, not just because I interviewed him. When you hear him talk, he knows the game so well. He’s like one of those guys who he focuses on the pitchers. He knows everything about the strike zone. That’s what I like about him. He’s like a prototypical leadoff guy, which I actually think John, he might get the first chance before Bench, but that’s for another day. Well, where’s he playing? Where’s he playing though? Center field. He You know what that See, John didn’t want my interview. Look at Look at this. No, I’m just kidding. John, he told me they have him playing center field, left field, and right field. This entire off season, he’s been working out with although it’s an infielder, but he’s been working out with Alex Bregman. He said it live on my thing, but he said the Mets were giving him advanced metrics and statistics on his jump that he’s been getting in the outfield and they wanted him to work specifically on that in center field this off season. So clearly they have a vision for him and I’m thinking maybe he takes over the Jeff McNeel if he’s moved type play. He could play third, second, short, left, right, center. He could play all over. He said I’m playing all over the place except for person and catcher. That’s what they’ve been having him do. So my like I’m I’m thinking long term get a real lead off hitter in here and that’ll lead me to my next point which I’m angry about seeing this report today. But you get a guy like that Lindor Sodto Alonszo Bellinger all of a sudden is Alonzo’s protection something he’s never had. This lineup gets crazy long. Yeah I mean I I it’s possible he’s athletic enough Williams for sure. I got to see it though because I’ve seen that over the years, especially with the Mets. They’ve tried to convert infielders to outfield. It doesn’t always work. I mean, I remember Hojo tried it. Keith Miller, this going way back. Keith Miller tried it. Even uh uh well, I can’t remember. There’s a couple other guys, but theoretically, it could work because he’s certainly athletic enough to do it. As far as the Bellinger thing, I mean, when you talk go back to the whole Yankee thing, I mean, I could I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. House Simon are crying poor last week in his when he had his his press. I mean, the Yankees make more money than anybody and he’s worried about whatever he has to pay to the city. I mean, come on. Yankee fans don’t want to hear that. Listen, if they do lose Bellinger be hard for them. I mean, unless if they go if they go out and sign Tucker, all is good. I’m sure in Yankee land, but Tucker’s going to be he’s a, you know, he’s a huge commitment that I don’t think House wants to make. So, there’s a ton of pressure on them to sign Bellinger. It sounds like he really liked it there. He’s got the connection with his father having played there. Sounds like he wants to go back, which again could make it tougher on the Mets. And it comes back to the same thing. What do they do if they don’t sign him? So, there are so many pieces in play this winter between both teams. It’s fascinating. Yeah. And John, look, there’s a rumor out there today. I’ll say it because I have not been able to confirm it via my reporting, so I don’t want to say it out there, but I said it to you last time you were here. If the Mets go out and trade for Luis Rober Jr., I will end my podcast because I will be so anti-David Sterns. You won’t find anybody else more anti John. That cannot happen. I don’t care about his splits. He had 230, 15 home runs, 14 home runs. His on base percentage was under 300. And I get it. He’s a defensive wizard, but we already have that in Tyron Taylor. Yeah. What are you gonna 20 million dollars? You could potentially I the rumor today was that the Mets have been in contact with the White Socks in regard to him. There’s no deal imminent, but there’s definitely an interest out there. $20 million. You can’t find I mean Cody Bellinger is going to get what 27 28 he going to touch 30. So for a few more million dollars, you get a player that is exponentially better in my opinion, John, they cannot touch this guy. Yeah. I mean that I know he’s he’s had his moments offensively over the years, but he’s been really inconsistent. Uh so I’m not that doesn’t really address the the need for offense. Uh he’s yeah, he’s a good center fielder, but um yeah, I’m not sure that works. I think there’s better ways to especially if you do think Ben or Williams could be the guy, you know, you’re not necessarily bringing Robert in to play that play that position as well. So yeah, I mean I think Sterns is probably he’s doing his due diligence on everybody that’s out there, but I’d be surprised if they went and got him at this point. John, what’s your most glaring need for the New York Mets right now? It Well, it’s tough because I do think right off the bat, I’d say starting pitching. They got to get at least one high front of the rotation starter because you can’t go back. I mean, I do think there’s a potential for depth next year and a bounce back from guys like Sanga, Peterson, Maniah, but you can’t go into next year counting on that after what happened this past year. You got to get at least one guy, ideally two, and maybe you can make deals from there uh to bolster that rotation. But at the same time, if you if you go if you go ahead and do that and you don’t bring back Alonzo, then we’re right back to what we’re talking about the offense. I don’t think they have enough offense to win you. Run prevention is great, but not when you’re dying for runs to score runs on a nightly basis. So, I’d have to say starting pitching first, but I think the offense, you can’t ignore the offense at this point, especially after trading NMO. Completely agree. Now, John, there’s a since I last had you on the rumor out there and it was reported by the Athletic over in Minnesota that for the right team, right contending team, Byron Bucks may be willing to wave that no trade clause. What are your thoughts on him potentially, maybe you throw him in a package with a pitcher and you give up a hall? What do you think about that? Maybe he he’s an interesting guy. He’s certainly got the all the tools and the ability, but he’s been hurt a lot uh in his career. here. I’d be a little bit worried about that. And uh I know he’s got what I think two or three years left on his contract. And I think that’s where I mean three years 15 million per. Yeah. It’s not I mean that’s it’s not bad moneywise, but I don’t know. I just I think I think the Ben the Mets love this idea of Benj and maybe Williams both in the outfield. So I think they want to kind of free that keep that open as as much as they can. But he is if you ended up getting him and and like a Joe Ryan somehow and gave up a major package, you know, that that would be uh that would be impactful for sure. That would solve a lot of problems for the Mets. Yeah. A lot of problems. Um real quick, John, for me, just outside of the Mets, the big casino project is taking place. Steve Cohen granted the license, one of three licenses. He’s going to get his casino. Do you think a the casino is a good thing? just your thoughts on Metropolitan Park and then B, do you think he’s now finally going to take his focus back towards the Mets? And not saying it ever left the Mets, but yeah, spending all that money that now it’s pretty free be spent. Yeah, I mean, listen, you got a casino going in there. He’s got he’s got more millions coming in for sure. I like the idea just because for forever City Field and even Chase Stadium, it’s been on an island there. There’s nothing for fans to do there. like a lot of ballparks around the country are in locations where you can go to a to a restaurant, go do other things, shopping, whatever, right there uh on the same site. And I think that’s what’s going to be now for the Mets once this thing goes in. So, I think for fans, it’s a good thing. Listen, you know, fans want to go go uh go to the casino and gamble as well. You know, I mean, I’m sure Steve Cohen will be glad to take their money, but uh I think big picture is good. I don’t I really don’t believe that that’s affected his his uh focus as far as the Mets goes. Look, I’m sure Sterns, from what I’ve heard, Cohen is very hands-on with his GMs with, you know, he’s in touch with them on a daily basis. So, I’m sure he knows everything that’s going on. He’s let I’m sure he’s letting Sterns, you know, bring a lot of ideas to him and stuff like that, but I don’t think he’s letting anything happen. He wants to win a championship. You know, he put that out there when he took over this team, and it’s already been the five-year window that he talked about. So, I feel like he feels like he’s really uh kind of on the spot now to go ahead and fulfill that promise to Mets fans that he made to bring a championship to Queens to New York. Now, John, we heard, and this is the last one for me, we heard about the rumors how the Mets are monitoring the Kyle Schwarber situation. Is that strictly if Pete leaves? I mean, do you see David Sterns clogging up that DH role? something that we’ve heard in the last few years, something that he doesn’t like to do and it kind of backfired him with the JD Martinez. What are your thoughts on that? That’s John’s. I don’t think it works with but with Alonzo stays just because we talked about Alonzo needing to trans transfer to DH at some point, transition to DH, but I you know what if Alonzo, we didn’t talk about this, if Alonzo leaves, you go get Schwarber to DH and now you go get another first baseman, maybe that Okamoto or somebody like that. Now, now you got some offense. Schwarber is a guy that plugs that hole and really gives you I mean 56 home runs speaks for itself. He can hit left-handed pitching. He does strike out a lot, but that kind of power, I mean, that that would solve some problems there. I just I have a hard time believing that the Phillies are going to let him go, especially to the Mets, unless Cohen just blows him out of the water with an offer. And maybe he will if Alonzo leaves. Maybe, you know, for four probably he’s not going to probably need more than four years, something like that. Maybe they would do that. I mean, that’s a guy that he does he that lineup looks a whole lot different. I mean, it leaves them really totally left-handed in some ways, but you know, you could live with that for what he’s bringing to that lineup. John, two quick ones for me and then we’ll get out of here. The non-tendered list for the Mets, it was Danny Young, Luis Castillo, and Max Cranic. Was there any shocks from the tendered you the guys that got tendered a contract? And then specifically Max Kanic, did that come as a shock to you that he got non-tendered by the Mets? a little bit just because he was so good for them last year, you know, and it does feel like they probably overused him early in the year, threw a lot of a lot of multiple inning outings out of the pen. So, you kind of feel bad for the guy. Um, you know, we know there’s not much loyalty in baseball. Each side is going to do what it has to do, but I I kind of wanted to see him get another shot at some point, but I know he was it looks like he’s going to miss the year. So, not not not particularly surprised by that. That’s just the nature of the game now. Um, as far as you know, Danny Young’s another I mean all these they I know I read somewhere I think the Mets had more Tommy John cases than anybody last year. So that’s what Adam Adam Adavino was coming out and saying how do you explain that? He said car you know between us girls here he said that Carlos Mendoza has no idea what he’s doing when it comes to a bull. But the you know the the the push back on that is that he had to go to that pen when his starters were going three innings a night. So, you know, if anything, you can kind of you can put that on Sterns as well for not having enough depth in that pen. But hey, listen, at this point, we’ve seen it over the years. Injuries happen sometimes. There’s no rhyme or reason for who gets hurt and who doesn’t. Some of these guys, everybody throws hard now. So, maybe it was just one of those years. I thought Mendoza did not have as good a year with the bullpen as he did the year before. I agree. But some of that comes down to the choices he had as well. But I do think there is going to be pressure on Mendoza to handle that pen and make better decisions out of the pen overall. And finally, John, my Mets X factor player who I feel like I say every year is going to be this dark horse guy, Francisco Alvarez, is is this finally the year he gets tendered to contract. He’s back. I think that catching tandem with Tens, the Gold Glove finalist, it works. But we need Alvarez to start, you know, being what he was when he came back from Triple A last year. Can Met fans expect that from Alvarez to finally put it together in 2026? This really does feel like a kind of a this would be the year that tells you what he’s all about. Uh because he did, as you said, he made strides after he came back. He looked like a different guy came back from TripleA. So, you give him credit for that. You know, he was using the whole field better. He wasn’t there. There were still moments. I remember him chasing well I think it was Duran from from the Phillies chasing badly in the ninth inning against him but he’s going to have those moments but I think overall he did look like a better hitter wasn’t swinging out of his shoes as much but you’re right this is the year he’s still he’s still not showing you that power that we all thought he was going to have you know he had 25 home runs as a rookie everybody projected him as a 30 plus home run guy we really haven’t seen that maybe the hand injuries have had something to do with that but this is the year he needs to show it because he would be such a bonus if they do that get that kind of offense out of that catching position. Now, last one for me. I got one last one. We all keep talking about Amay. Are the Mets going to be required or whoever gets him and going to be required to have a six-man rotation? I haven’t heard anything about that. Yeah, I mean, I haven’t heard as much of an issue. I mean, most of these we know these Japanese pitchers come over, they only throw basically once a week over there. So, but I didn’t I didn’t think it was much of an as much of an issue with uh Yamamoto with the with the Dodgers. So, I guess we’ll see. I know the problem is if SA SA is back, he’s a guy that he requires extra rest. So, that’s pro that’s a problem in itself. The thing is though, the way these the way these teams are handled now, all these teams are looking to give their guys extra rest with off days anyways. Nobody gets skipped anymore to keep the guys in in in uh turn. It doesn’t seem like so really teams just they’re looking more for like I mean it used to be 200 used to be the benchmark 200 innings now it’s maybe 150 so I think there’s ways to make it work but if you had two guys in that rotation that need an extra day that could be a problem so uh I’m not sure but I I keep going back to that quote I want to go out and beat the Dodgers I love that I want to get I’d like to see him in the Met uniform good luck doing that with the Giants and that’s all we got for you guys today John thanks so much guys if you want to be locked in have your voice heard live with our guests like John and other guests like BTN crew who will be having a lot of people coming up especially with the winter meetings and hopefully John will come back after the winter meeting sometime before spring training because we always love his insight. Make sure to click the link in the description. Become a member to be guaranteed to get your voice heard live on our platform. John, thanks so much. We’re done. I thought we were just getting started, guys. Hey, great being on with you guys. [Music]

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