🔥 Mets Hot Stove Update: Mets Shift Focus to Pitching + Trade Talks Heating Up

🔥 Mets Hot Stove Update: Mets Shift Focus to Pitching + Trade Talks Heating Up

The Mets sign Jorge Palano. What’s going on with the pitching market as we get news today? Where is the pivot happening? We’re going to talk about that live with you next on Metcast. [Music] [Applause] [Music] What’s going on, Met fans? Welcome back to another offseason edition of Metcast. As always, I am Ray coming to you from snowy Long Island and my co-host Dan Bartell’s from sunny Florida as he loves his vacations down there. But Dan, while you’ve been down there, a lot has been going on. And I want to start off first asking you guys if it’s your first time here, make sure you like and subscribe, become a member of the channel, if you want to be locked in to have your voice heard. We have some amazing guests lined up for you in the future. And I’m so excited to bring them to you all offseason long. Some are writers, some are in the media, and hell, I’m working on a couple former players, and I’m excited to have, you know, see what’s going on in the future. But with that said, I want to touch on something that I wasn’t able to touch on yesterday. We did the recording briefly, but shout out to the Queen’s Baseball Convention. I want to give a quick shout out to my guy Andy the Angry Albanian over on X Supply Me with a large poster from there that he did not have to do. Great friend over there. But a lot of things were heard, a lot of things were said there. Sources all over the place. Everyone in the media was there. SNY was there. Brett Batty was there. Jesse Arasco, Terry Collins, everybody in the works. And a lot of interesting names were floating around and we can get to a little bit of that today. But Dan, we didn’t get to hear your instant reaction to the Jorge Palano signing the two years $40 million from Seattle. Supposedly a fan favorite when he was in Minnesota. Grinded it out. Had some big clutch hits last year. I know you touched about that on your short that you posted. But I want to get your comments on our live. Yeah, 32 years old, Ray, and hopefully you’re doing well. Um, I’m love the outfit you’re decked out in. Go Texas, hookah horns, baby. But Jorge Palanco, right, very interesting move. 32 years old, spent 10 years with the Minnesota Twins before he got traded to the Mariners. And he had big hits as you mentioned, his game two in the ALDS against TK Scoo, the two home runs in that game, and then the 15 in thriller in the winner take all game five. He was the walk-off there. So, uh, he’s a clutch player in in those big moments, and I think that’s going to play up for the Mets that hopefully are playing in big games. Uh, he’s a switch hitter, and that’s going to be good for the Mets because he’s primarily going to be the DH. People think he’s going to be slotted in to replace Pete Alonzo. Let’s be honest, there’s probably no first baseman coming in here that’s going to ever be a replacement to Pete Alonzo. We said that from the day that he elected free agency, we want him back. So, uh, there’s always going to be the Contrarases, the Paul Gold, Schmidtz, those kind of guys that I still think could be brought in, but at this point, Palano is going to be the DH. What does that mean for Mark Vientos? What does that mean for 80? All things still to consider as the offseason goes on, but I like the signing. He’s not a great defender, but he doesn’t really have to be because he’s not probably going to be seeing the field all that much, right? And Dan, you know what? Something we could talk about with him, and shout out to everybody in the comments. I see you in there, Teddy. Everybody’s I saw the first comment of the night come from our boy Burns, one of our members. Thank you for tonight’s live raids. Getting rough and then non Dan spaces over on X tonight. I can only imagine what’s happening. All hell always seems to break loose. But I appreciate you guys when you come in our spaces. Typically Dan’s hosting and I’m co-hosting sometimes. Sometimes it’s other people. But try to keep a little order in there as we always like to say, Dan. But let’s keep it Palanoesque right here. Let’s be real. Let’s take a bit of a deeper dive into Palanco, what he’s going to provide for this team, like you said, but also what it allows us to do this off seasonason. And I stretched it so much all off season, the left-handedness of this team. It was impossible to bring in a Schwarber. I knew right off the bat, you cannot have a left-handed DH. When you look at the free agents, Tatis was a pipe dream. You see the new reports out there today, there’s supposedly zero truth to anything in regard to Tatis to endor trade, which we all figured. Why on earth would San Diego do something like that? Even if you’re going to take a Xander Bogart’s back, Tatis is a guy that fans go to watch the games. You know what I mean? He’s the guy. He’s the one they’re Juan Sto, the flashy guy, the big hit guy. They’re not doing that. But what it does is you have Kyle Tucker, Cody Ballinger, and any other lefty you could eventually trade for or add to left field would have been eliminated with a guy like Kyle Schwarber, even with Pete not returning. You can’t you have Brett Batty a lefty, so do a lefty, and the Mets we all know are stoked about Carson Benj a lefty. You bring in a left-hander at DH, you’re not going to have five lefties in an everyday lineup. It is not happening. A Palano is a hitter. Last year, his OPS was over 800 from both the left and the right. The majority of his power came from when he was hitting left-handed, but believe it or not, he hit well over 300 against lefties. Something that the Mets have struggled for forever, Dan. So, I’m actually excited about this. Two years, $20 million. So, the Mets did pay a premium for a guy the most of the league is going to value as a DH, but it’s only over two years. I like it. He’s a guy that brings the juice. And again, it applies the flexibility. Now, if you want to have an all left-handed hitting outfield, you can do that because you have Tyron Taylor already backing up who’s a right-handed bat. It allows you to attack the Bellinger or the Tucker, which I’m again, I’m not I try to be optimistic. I’ve been very negative these last couple weeks. Maybe that’s, you know, me just being frustrated, me just thinking the world like you guys. What happened with Edwin Diaz and Peter Lonzo should never happen to a team with the richest owner in sports? That is like, you know, like Boston. Boston’s got money. How dare you trade mookie bets? Atlanta’s got money. How dare you let Freddy Freeman walk to these guys? It’s the same thing over and over. Like we all knew Aaron Judge was not leaving the Yankees. a fat pet. I still can’t even look at it. I cannot look at it. I’m going through all my player cards today, Dan. The Pete Alonzo cards all over the place. I had, you know, as a matter of fact, it’s right here. I posted earlier today. What the hell am I supposed to do with this game use bat? I mean, it’s like, you know, it’s just it’s very frustrating. But I would like to get your comments in regard to the positional flexibility that this signing gives us. It it really is a it’s a move that opens up a lot of other moves. And again, you’re right, the switch hitting ability. You can have an all lefty outfield. I think that’s still possible. Even a Tucker still in play for the Mets. I still I’m not ruling that out. Tatis, just completely get that out of your mind. But I do think because of what Stern said with the right-handed bat and the fact that you just gave Palano 20 million. You know who else is making 20 million? He’s in Chicago playing center field. That’s Luis Roberts. So, we always talk it could make sense. I think there could be something there. Um, I know it’s not the most glamorous name, but even if you believe in Carson Bench, which is still up in the area to 538 OPS, 24 games played in Triple A this year, are you willing to go above and beyond for him? Give him the keys. That’s fine. But Luis Robert, man, you’re still going to need to have to bring in another outfielder. You only have Sodto and Tyron Taylor at this point. you you still need another guy. Even if you want to give bench left field reps or center field reps, someone still needs to play that other position. So, um that’s definitely opens up avenues. Palano I like as a player. He had a really good September last year, 300 average, over an 1100 OPS. Um really good player down the stretch and I think that’s going to be big for the Mets. Uh it’s a right-handed bat, too. That also adds into the fold. He hits from both sides. So, what does that mean for Vientos moving forward, who is supposed to get DH at bats, and now we’re hearing they’re bringing in Palano to get DH at bats? What does that mean for Mark Vientos? It’s a really good chance he could be on his way to San Diego. There could be a way he’s not in the lineup for the New York Mets in 2026, which we all should really come to the realization the same thing’s going to go for Jeff McNeel. I don’t know if he’s on this team because of a guy like Brett Batty, guy who could play second base. He could play a little bit of left field, which I do think again could be something to consider. So, um, just things to mention, things to to really hone in on. But I love the Palano signing, Ray. I really do. I really do. It’s a good move for the Mets. Before I eviscerate the robber comment, I want to get to the Scott. I hear you, Ray. I love a lot. I have an Alonzo autograph frame jersey in my base and what am I going to do with it? You keep it. You keep it. you cherish the memories. A guy who wanted to be here. The all-time home run record. Maybe he retires and met down the road. Who knows? Who knows? But it’s like it’s almost like you lost a family member here. Obviously, it’s baseball. I’m not dumb. I’m not naive to that. But, you know, in a baseball sense, it’s it’s not Tom Sever all over again. I don’t want to make it that. But, it sucks. I didn’t think I’d feel this way. But, look, it’s also about lineup construction. You should have added a a Jorge Palanco, but Dan, how many years have we been calling for protection for Pete? He is the identical guy you want as protection for Pete. Great from both sides of the plate. Can hit 20. Look, he hit 20 what? Six homers and 400 and something at bats. He’s a 35 home run guy in a fulltime role. That’s the guy you put behind Alonszo where you look at the lineup. You’re one bat away from having one of these scariest lineups in baseball. One premium at bat. And I see some people saying, “Well, I think he’s a five or a six hitter. He better be top five.” And that’s one thing I like, Dan. We are done with the musical chairs at DH. Since the DH was implemented in the National League a few years ago, Salacotta brought it up a ton on his show, and it’s something we briefly spoke about at the QVC. We’re the only team in Major League Baseball that could never find a real DH. We’re playing, you know, Jesse Winker there, a guy that strikes out a ton and can’t hit home runs. Same thing with Mark Vientos last year. I think this signing signals to you guys there is at least a 50% chance Mark Bentos has traded this year. You’re not going to have a guy in Mark Bentos who can only play first base. I think right now the Mets are exploring that position and if they really feel Palano is going to start there, there is no value for Ventos. And a quick reminder for you guys who live under a rock, Mark Ventos has zero options remaining. The Mets cannot send him back down to the minor leagues under any circumstance. Well, unless it’s a rehab start, but outside of getting injured, I think he’s a part of a bigger package. I think this signals it. And look, Roberts, no thank you. And I’ll tell you why you can’t get Roberts. It’s very simple. You saw what they were asking for last year. Jonah Tongue, guys of that nature. And rumor has it they’re asking for very high-end prospects now. So, you’re not going to trade top 100 guys, which they’re asking for. You’re not trading Carson. But the Jet Williams, a Brandon Sprroesque for a guy like Roberts, who in my opinion is not worth it. you’re going to pick up his club option next year. So, if you’re planning on playing Carson Bench on this team, and from everybody I’ve spoken to, he is going to be a center fielder on this team going forward. You can’t have Roberts, who’s hitting 185 in left field with no pop. You just simply can’t do that. And you’re going to, whoever trades for him is planning on picking up that club option. They’re going to have him this year for 20 million and 2027 for 20 million. That’s why I think it’s kind of a pipe dream when we hear the Mets are quote unquote checking in on players. I think most of us know, we’ve heard that about every single player around the league, Dan. It’s not just Roberts. They checked on him. You know, I’m telling you right now, we thought Cedric Mullins was bad. He’s worse in my opinion. Better defender, but he’s a worse at bat. This lengthens the lineup, but in my opinion, there’s still so much work to be done. Dan, there is. And I think you put it perfectly. We should have got Pete back and then brought in Jorge Palano. He should have been a bat that maybe got Vientos out of the picture at the end of the day. So, it’s tough. I I know we all have to move on. It sucks to lose Diaz. It sucks to lose NMO. It sucks to lose Pete. Um I think we’re all officially almost over it. I I know it’s never going to change because I do think Pete’s going to be a Hall of Famer and if he mashes 50 home runs, he sticks it to the Mets. He’s going to play up in Baltimore. Um, I’m I want nothing but the best for Pete Alonso. He deserves it. He was a perfect met in his career. He wasn’t. No, I take that back. He wasn’t perfect, but that’s why we liked him and that’s why we appreciated him. And was it ever going to be this ideal scenario? No. But he he always played by the rules. He always hustled. He always gave it his all. He played every day. I appreciate that about him. But yeah, Jorge Palano, it’s it’s different. Uh, but if you’re going to spend money, you’re going to throw 40 million against the wall. That’s where I bring up the Luis Roberts stuff. But the Mets are just, it’s weird. Like 40 million feels like this nothing move to them. Why didn’t you go all in and give that money to Pete? I don’t know. I don’t. And I don’t know if we ever will. It’s about the length. I think that it’s about massacring this core. If they could, I really think they’d move off of a Lindor, but the issue is he’s 32 and still owed a lot of money. Not many teams are going to take on that contract, and I don’t see them paying it down. Clearly, there’s something going on. Interesting though, Dan, before I came on here, I saw an Instagram post from Juan Sodto. He knew Pete was not coming back before everybody else. The Mets told him. So when Dave that’s I think it’s the first time we’ve seen Sterns lie to us as a fan base. That’s something that we haven’t seen yet because Sterns when when their meeting started said oh you know Pete knows where to find us. He’s going to be down here. I’m sure we’ll talk with him. They never made him an offer. Sodto knew it before all of us which means Sterns when he held that press conference because Pete signed a day later when he had that press conference he already knew Pete was gone. So maybe he didn’t lie to us. He didn’t say he’s not, you know, he’s like, I’m sure we’ll touch base or something like that. But, you know, it kind of makes you question Sterns and his motives for this year. But we’ve harped on this enough, guys. Let us know about your opinions on Palanco. Now, on to the big news of the day. We’ll start it off, Dan. The Mets interested in this trade with the Padres’s. Whether or not it’s going to happen or not, you know, that’ll remain to be seen. But all-star closer Mason Miller supposedly involved. And a lot of people are saying, Ray, why on earth would the Padres’s trade Mason Miller after giving up what they gave up last year a prize prospect for him? It’s very simple. Everybody knows in the industry the Padres’s are leaking like a civ financially. They’re losing money left and right and now they’re going for sale because of that. So what’s the best thing you do when you put things for sale? You get rid of money. It’s like a liquidation sale. Now, you might not do it with Tatis because they’re gonna say, “Listen, Tatis sells 50,000 jerseys every single year, but a guy like Mason Miller, you could attach a bad contract to him, get back some premium prospects, make the future of the organization look a little bit brighter to a potential owner.” Dan, what did you have in regard to this Mason Miller trade? Yeah, it’s very interesting. Right. So, it got a lot of people on the Mets side saying yes, and it got a lot of people on the Padre side saying maybe a little bit more. And I understand that in this scenario. I just look at risk of the trade because Mason Miller, again, there is some injury risk. There is some potential that you’re taking on. Um, but I guess that’s true in a lot of scenarios. I threw in Jonah Tong. I think every scenario you’re looking at feels that Jonah Tong, a lot of teams clearly value him. He was the number one minor league pitcher of the year for a reason. He’s a very good prospect and we saw that in real time. We saw that with our own eyes for those who went to the games he pitched. And I know Ray, you were there the night he debuted. Great night. Mets offense comes to life. That’s what we expected that night. We expected that most nights and we never really got that again, but it sucks. Um, but that’s that’s neither here nor there. Tong, put him in the trade. Ventos, you’re in the trade. I I just I can’t understand with the Palano move how Vientos is still in the picture. He could be as a first baseman. I don’t want to rule that out. Maybe Palano teaches Vientos a couple things, but I still think they’d bring in a Contras or a Paul Goldman with some credence around the league. Um but that’s where it comes down to. And then this is where the prospect game comes in because I’ve established a base of a contract or a base of a deal with Tong and Ventos and then the prospects come into play. I get that the Padres’s gave up a lot. Been back and forth with a lot of Padres’s fans today. A lot of interaction with that fan base. Very cool to see. I love when these trades come to life because you talk to people in those fan bases. Um they gave up a lot. They gave up Louis Draise who is the number three prospect in all of game of baseball, Mason Miller. Like I understand, but I’m also giving you the number one minor league pitcher in the game of baseball. So I don’t think it’s that too far off. Like so I think that we were pretty close on the money here. I don’t want to, you know, toot my own horn ever. Um, I do think there could be still some work in that contract, some wiggle room, if we’re going to quote the Mets here with stuff like that. But, um, I don’t know. And then Jack Winger and Will Watson, those are kind of my throwins because they’re the next wave of Met pitchers along with RJ Gordon. Names to watch. Ernest Dove threw out a great tweet. We think of Sprro, Tongue, and Mlan. That’s the current core of Mets pitchers. There’s a young wave of RJ Gordon, Will Watson, Jack Wedingers, Jonathan Sanucci, all these young players coming up on the pitching side that are going to be right behind them. So, I do think organizations, teams value those wave of players as well. And I don’t think the trade’s that far off. You know what’s wild then? You look at the prospects that Sterns has drafted. He’s just developed a lot of the guys that are here that are younger. That’s what you’re looking at. I mean, when’s the last time the Mets took a what is it? Matt Harvey the last time they drafted a pitcher in the first round. They just don’t do it. Or maybe it was uh Justin um oh I think we lost Dan for a minute. It was uh Justin I I’m forgetting his name. Maybe you guys in the chat will let me know. We ended up trading him a short time later. David Peterson. David Peterson. Oh. Oh yeah. David Peterson. Yeah. And what was that guy? Justin. We ended up trading him in the in the deal. Was it with Edwin Dia? No. What was it with? Justin something. Ah, chat, let me know. Hey, Jarvis. No, I don’t. No, Dunn. Justin Dunn. There you go. Shout out to uh Scott, another one of our members. Yeah, remember him? I was so excited for him. Him and John Coons. Oh my For the throwbacks in the chat, John Coons. Back in the day, he was a 64 65 flamethrower from the right side. I thought we hit the jackpot and the guy had like a 15 RA in Triple A and the Mets cut him and he never in the big leagues. But I remember that back in the day. But anyways, with these trades, look, I’m not saying your trade is actually that far off. Supposedly, we’ve seen it out there, Dan, these last couple of days where teams are calling about tongue. Supposedly, they think he’s available. You know, that’s what’s going on, uh, NY Sports. Supposedly, they think he’s available. Here’s my thing. And we get the report today whether or not it’s true or not. And yes, Justin Dunn, Li native, shout out to Daniel for that in the chat. Appreciate that. Yep. Why are the Mets trying to trade for a guy like Nick Paveta when there’s, you know, they wanted him last off season. Sterns didn’t want to fork up the money for him. He goes and signs for four years in San Diego. What? Why all of a sudden are they not in on Michael King? Are the is he is his, you know, market that robust? Is he getting a four or fiveyear deal? Everyone said, Dan, at the onset of the off season, he’s a three-year guy. Injury concerns, can’t stay healthy. He’s, watch, I’m telling you, he’s going to be another guy. You’re going to look, he’s going to get four or five years, and you’re going to say, “What about that contract?” I think one thing and we’ve talked about it briefly or touched on it a little briefly on these programs. David Sterns looks at a player, he goes, “Okay, Pete Alonzo, he’s worth three years 90 million. I will not go three years 91 no matter what.” I think he does that to almost every free agent out there. That’s why when Met fans go back and forth with me, Ray, we’re going to get Cody Bellinger, Kyle Tucker. I doubt it. The only time we’re going to get these massive free agents like we have in the past is if Steve Cohen steps in. Find me the last major free agent that Sterns went after. And everyone likes to go, “Oh, Willie Adamus.” When he got Willie Adamis, Adamus had like a 600 ops. He was terrible that year. Also, he traded for Christian Yelich who had years left on his contract. Everyone loves to forget this. They all have amnesia. Christian Yelich was with the Brewers two years before he signed that contract extension and he was in his mid20s. That’s who he’s gonna pay long term. Cody Bellinger is what 29 going to his age 30 season. Dan, you really trust him to get five or six years because that’s what he’s going to get. When you look at the market right now, Cody Bellinger and you look at Kyle Tucker, they’re going to get, in my opinion, both of them are going to get six to eight year deals. Why would Bellinger settle for anything less? Look at the teams that are out there. The Yankees are going to bid him up. The Mets are going to bid him up. You have the Red Sox involved. Potentially the Dodgers. We saw like the Dodgers interested in Cody Bellinger. And I’m sure there’s going to be other teams out there as well. And I’m telling you what’s killing the pitching market right now. It is the team Pete Alonzo went to because from everybody that I’ve spoken to, the Orioles new ownership is finally opening their pockets. something they should have done three years ago, but they, you know, they traded for C, they traded for Burns, let him go, didn’t pay him out. Turns out it might have been the right move. The guy blew out his elbow. Maybe they had bad medicals. Maybe they knew Dan. But I think they’re in the market for Framber Valdez and I think they’re in the market for Michael King and it adds a team that is not expected to be in on these types of players in which drives the price and I think that’s why we’re going to be out on them. But I would love to get your thoughts on that. Yeah, probably the market for Michael King just moved past the three-year window, whether monetarily, whether contractually, just in terms of the years, something along the lines, just didn’t line up for David Sterns. Uh, it’s unfortunate. It’s really frustrating that he has to get the perfect deal all the time. I don’t know what the reason for that is. I I know he’s being smart. I know he’s being conservative with the way he’s going about it. That’s all well and good, but then you’re opening up the idea for people to criticize you and call you a small market GM. I don’t believe him to be a small market GM. I think he’s perfect for New York. There’s a reason why the Mets waited to get David Sterns. They got their guy. They made him the highest paid executive in the game of baseball. He knows what he’s doing and his track record in Milwaukee shows that. So, you have to give it time. Like the Dodgers, we always want to be the Dodgers. You say the Dodgers East. I totally get that. I like the mentality told. I like Well, of course that’s what the Mets told us. You know, that’s what people always ask and throw around, but then I like when they come back and say, “No, we want to be our own team. We want to have our own identity.” That’s fine. But go out and do it. Go out and put your chips, you know, put them ahead. And again, the Dodgers 1988, they beat the Mets in the NLCS. A lot of you guys remember that’s before Ray and I’s time, but that was a really ever since till 2020, they never won again. So, it took a long time. Andrew Friedman comes over from the Rays 2014. He he he takes over, gets a lot of slack, brings in superstars, lets them go, lets them walk, signs contracts that don’t end up working out. Um, so remember Carl Crawford, they gave him a big deal. They were giving money to players left and right later on. How did that work out? Yeah. Right. Corey Seagars of the world as it got older. They paid Trevor Bower gave him like a 48 AAV, something crazy. Like they were doing anything and everything to win. Eventually they did. I think with the Mets, it’s the same thing. You have to have a good farm system. You have to supplement from within. That’s important. I want to win a World Series, too. And I think the Mets are going to put themselves in a position to win a World Series in 2026. But it’s just it’s not going to look as nice as we think. So we just have to trust David Sterns, trust the process. And I hate to say that cliche, but that’s what we have to do. And Sodto’s a great first piece. I I think that was the big move of all moves. And you get this guy in here. He had a career year. You let Pete walk, but the pieces are going to come together, Ray. You know it. I know it. Probably more on the pitching side than the offense. Rightfully so. The pitching is atrocious, but um yeah, I I think the Mets can manufacture their way to 90 plus wins and be a really good team. Trust David Sterns. You know, Burns brought up a really interesting player. I was just doing my research while you were talking. Shout out to Burns, another member. Bob, I see you in here. Appreciate you in here as always. You’re always one of the OGs in here. All the members that are in here, if you guys want to get your voices heard, make sure Clue, I see you in here. I got some of your comments lined up. Same with you, Zach. But Burns, would you guys trade for a Christian Walker? That is an interesting name because if I looked up his baseball savant, Dan, now look, he’s coming off a down year ops 717, but the for the year before 803, 830, 804, he’s 34 years old. So, three out of the last four years his OPS is in the 800s. So, you like that, right? He’s got two years. Let me make sure I’m pulling up the right guy. I believe he’s got two years and 40 million total on that. So, 20 million a year, which is not which is not bad. I’m pretty sure about that. Hold on, pull it up right now. Yes, he’s got next year and the year after that at 20 million. So, it’s not earthbreaking money. And then when you look also, let’s look for David Cern’s defensive statistics. OA, he’s in the 79th percentile plus two runs per uh per average. So, he’s a damn good defender. Not a great arm, but in the 79th percentile, you you know, you figure how many first baseman qualify over there? He’s in, you know, the top 79% almost 80%. He’s a name that’s really intriguing when you think about that. Now, I’m not sure Houston is looking to trade off assets. If they are, I would rather entertain a guy like him than Luis Rober. At least, you know, with him, he’s a righty bat. You plug him in there. It’s still allows you to go out. If I were to tell you, and obviously a lot of people are going to say no, but you could trade Pete Alonzo for Palano, Christian Walker. You don’t have to give Pete the five years down the road. I’m not I’m losing that trade. I still feel, but it’s not all of a sudden a crazy thing. And it still allows you to spend money in left field, get that big bat. Christian Walker could be that really solid six hitter in a lineup. He’s got the pop. You look at his uh, you know, his home runs over the last few years. This year, 27, 26, 33, 36. So, he’s consistently between 25 and 30. He could almost put up your Brandon NMO stats dare I say right around there and then you get the big bat in left field with Palanco to replace Pete stat lengthen the lineup. I actually really like that name that you put out there. Again, I’m not sold Houston selling or would be open to but I don’t think it would cost you a lot to get him and two years $40 million Dan is not out of this world. No, it’s not. Oh, Dan, you’re lagging. Dan, log off. Dan, log off and come back on. But I I’m not totally opposed to that. I’m not. And I would love to get some of your guys thoughts, too, on this. Um, Dan, you Let’s see if Dan’s back. Is Dan back? No. See if he comes back. Sorry about that, guys. He’s in Florida on Wi-Fi. We’re doing this while on vacation. Why are the Mets not using free agency and looking to trade for a pitcher? Like David Sterns is really like you’re gonna you would get you would get him back and Nick Paveta back on three-year deal. Why on earth why not just go sign a Michael King for four? But go ahead, Dan. Get your line out there for us. You can hear me now, Ray. Right. Hopefully we’re good. Yeah, my face froze. That was funny. Uh but anyway, yeah, hope someone gets a snapshot of that. If not, watch the playback. That’s funny. Uh Christian Walker, um that’s very interesting. He set the market last year, similar in the way that Naylor set the market for Pete this year. Um he’s a good player. I I think then you focus primarily on the infield because you can sell me on the outfield because if you bring in a break, I like Palano and I like Christian Walker. That’s not going to get it done this off seasonason for Mets fans. It’s just not. I I still need I think you still have to add a big bat in left field. Yeah, I still need Well, I I’m still entertaining Alex Bregman in that case. I still would open up that avenue to put Batty in left field potentially. That’s just something I’ve considered because he’s done it in the minor leagues and it’s something that I think they would be open to down the line. He is going to get the majority of reps at third. That’s what everything, you know, Sterns has said. I totally get that. Christian Walker would make a lot of sense. Um because you have to believe in Ryan Clifford as you said as well. The reason you let PE walk and you’re okay with it, Mets aren’t stupid. They know that they have Clifford in their back pocket. So, um there is something there. Uh but consider it. If not, if you’re not going after Bregman, which I don’t think they will, Bellinger still a pivot. Tucker still a pivot. Um but you got to bring in somebody. Jake Meyers of the Astros still a pivot. Um but you got to figure it out. Uh I don’t like being sold that we trade Brandon NMO and we’re going to have Carson Benj and and Jeff McNeel and I just don’t like that at all. So, I agree. Uh Bob checks in. I wanted to see his comment on Walker. Walker has three goal gloves at first. Like him there better than Palano, who has played one inning at first base in his career. Walker averaged 30 home runs a year the past four years. I mean, look, it’s a good fallback for me. If you’re telling me it’s Walker, it still allows you to develop a Ryan Clifford. You have those both of those guys on two-year deals. Clifford’s just 22 years old. So you allows you to remember we didn’t bring up Pete till he was 24. Aaron Judge made his major league debut at 24. Gary Sanchez was 24. A lot of guys are a little bit older, which is totally fine. I’m not saying you need him now, but it gives you more depth. You bring in a guy like him and if Cohen says, you know what, go get your pitching and I want Kyle Tucker. This lineup all of a sudden one through six is better than last year in my opinion because the falloff after Pete was Jeff McNeel Dan. Mhm. Jeff McNeel 230 hitting eight home run Jeff McNeel who is a cancer in the clubhouse. At least in my opinion. Yeah. The guy throws a temper tantrum. This is New York. You can’t do that. Like I used to feel bad for the guy. Dan, it’s not a get on Jeff McNeel kind of show. And I appreciate 2,000 people. Go to bed. It’s almost 11:00 at night now. Wait for us to go to bed. But it’s like I’m tired of the temper tantrums, you know, like I’m good. That’s another piece of the core in my opinion needs to go. Only Lindor remains and that’s only because his contract’s untradeable. Everybody knows he’s a good player, but he better get in line. Hopefully, and I’m thinking this Dan, this off season might just send a message to Lindor. You better get it together before we ship you to the A’s. Like, that’s that’s a thing. Your buddies are all gone. It’s a new sheriff in town. You better get on Sodto’s back and ride it. You got to get on base for him. Go ahead, then. I I think McNeel is good as gone. I agree. I I can’t see a world where he’s on this team. The Mets front office, I can tell you um they are not fond of him. In terms of a player, he provides versatility, but in terms of the other stuff, they’re just they’re not it’s not a good look for the Mets. Um so, he’s probably out of the picture, especially with Simeon in the fold. This is kind of been in the works for the Mets for a while. I think we’ve all been aware of that. Um so, we got to see. I I I there’s so much interesting movement. I I think the Mets are going to have a big trade for that Mason Miller. I do feel that they’re going to work something out with the Padres’s. Whether it is a Raone Lauraniano that they’re bringing in to play the outfield, whether it is a Nick Paveta for the rotation, there’s some bullpen arms, too, that make a lot of sense. So, I I think from that perspective, it feels right. I don’t think the Mets are going to address the outfield. This becomes more and more apparent by the day. I they’re going to sell us on Carson Bench, which is all well and good. He’s Stern’s number one prospect. That’s fine. We got to see the kids eventually. I just don’t know if they’re going to be in the Bellinger market. I don’t know if they’re going to really go after Kyle Tucker. And that’s fine, but who is the guy? There’s there’s not many pieces that are worth taking a flyer on with Jed Williams in the fold. Can Brett Batty play left? Can Mauricio play left? Can Akunia play center? Is McNeel on this team? Is Tyrone Taylor does he emerge a little bit and earn maybe a third outfield role? These are all questions running through my mind. I I don’t have answers. Does Ryan Clifford break in as a right fielder? Um, I could keep going. I And also too, real quick, the fact of Francisco Alvarez and his emergence and what he could mean to this team. We talk about the lengthening out of the lineup, how the five through nine could be better and all that stuff. If you could have Francisco Alvarez be the protection to Juan Sto in a perfect world, that’s a real real threat. He obviously has a lot of work to do. He’s not anywhere near where we want him to be, but in a perfect world, when I’m thinking about the Mets winning a championship, that could be a scenario where hey, Alvarez is a real key to this puzzle that we don’t even think about. You know what? We just got a super chat from Juan. I’m going to pull it up really quick. I want to go over the stats with it. Juan, thank you so much for that. Very much appreciated. Why not trade for a Brenton Doyle? Sign Cody for first base. And I’ll tell you why. I’ve watched Brentton Doyle for a while. There’s no doubt, no doubt. Amazing defender. Range 91st percentile. Arm value 99th percentile. Arm strength 97 percentile, sprint speed 96 percentile, and I was there when the Rockies came to town. Unbelievable. Total fielding value 93 amongst the elite of the elite of the elite. You can do that when you have a deep lineup because Brentton Doyle last year 538 plate appearances, 52 at bats. like full season, you’re like, “Oh, 15 homers, not that bad.” His OPS was 651. His OPS plus was 72. That puts him in what? The bottom 5% in hitters of all of Major League Baseball. Right around there. I get the lookout for me. He is the perfect final. You know what makes sense? If the Yankees were playing Stanton in left and judging right, he would be perfect. Also, one thing we got to take into consideration, he put up a 651 OPS and he plays 81 games in Colorado where you would average 700, Dan. I mean, it’s the easiest place to hit in the world. There’s a reason why every free agent that comes out of there or every big trade piece, the first thing everyone in the media always says, “Do you think they could hit outside of Colorado?” That’s why teams were hesitant for Nolan Aronado, Matt Holiday back in the day. It ended up working out anyways, but it’s always a thought. I mean, I was gonna say, look at Todd Hilton. What was the knock against what was the knock against Todd Helton to get into the Hall of Fame? His numbers were inflated because he played at Coors Field primarily. That’s always a conversation, no doubt. Um, I like Brett Doyle, right? I think it can make a little bit of sense. Um, the the metrics really support that he could be a good player um especially in the role that the Mets would would need him to be. Cody Bellinger with first base. I just don’t know if Cody Bellinger wants to f play first base. And I I I I want him to play the outfield because yes, he’s a good That’s where the value is, right? And has a really good arm. So, you’re right. That’s where the value is. That’s where we should be focusing. And Bob brought it up really quick. Bob, thanks so much for chiming in. Doyle hit 162 away from Kors Field last year. That’s a full season. There you go. I appreciate Juan that the look I I love when you guys bring me other guys that we’re talk not necessarily talking about because us and we’re not in the media. Some people say we are because of our following. I think that’s BS. We’re fans like you. But you know we talk to people in the media and we hear the same names over and over. Michael King, Pete Alonzo. You know not many not many people were talking out Palano. That was a good one. Will Salmon brought it up the night before. We actually broke down a video on Palanco the night before it happened, but a lot of us talk about the regular name. So, Juan, I definitely appreciate you bringing that up, but you know, he said uh you know, he was uh supposedly he was dealing with some really tough off the- field stuff. And look, you take that in consideration, but you go the year before, 764 OPS, a lot better. Uh 603 played appearances, 24 doubles, 23 home runs. It’s just when a guy’s hitting if I’m going to put get grab somebody and it’s definitely a name to consider. I’m going to be totally out on him. I would love him over Tyron Taylor. I’ll tell you that right now. Go get me a 93rd percentile fielder, you know, crazy good arm, great defensive replacement. I’d feel comfortable with that. Maybe you could put a bunt or two down, a push bun as he’s another righty. You know, I wouldn’t I wouldn’t completely rule it out. Maybe also, and I’ve seen it in the past, can’t say it doesn’t happen. Dan, sometimes when players go are on a absolute dog team, look, if you’re a Colorado Rocky, you’re showing up on March 1st, pitchers and catchers are showing up in February. You know, your chance of winning or even making the playoffs is subzero. You have three teams in your division you are guaranteed to be worse than in the Giants, the Padres’s, and LA. So maybe putting him on a better team will help. I don’t know if it helped Ryan McMahon last year. Guy’s a great defender, but if you ask me right now, hey Yankee fans, you swap him out for Bregman, find me one that wouldn’t. But I appreciate that. I I love when you guys bring us other names to talk about outside of uh you know, the typical names we’re talking about in the media. Sure. All right, we’re gonna now get to some of your guys comments. Dan, uh you know what? One last topic, Dan, I know you wanted to talk on it. Looks clear as day. Alcantara or Cabrera is going to be on the move. Make your case. Listen, I like Sandy. I I think he can get back to winning a Sai Young. You’re dealing with two players here, right? You’re dealing with Edward Cabrera and you’re dealing with Sandy Alcantara. Now, both really good players, both really good pitchers. Both can make a really big difference for this team. Both in their own ways, right? I think Sandy brings pedigree. Sandy brings experience. Sandy brings a comeback story too in a way because again he had Tommy John. He’s now two years removed. Looked a little shaky last year. I think there’s something still left in the tank. I really would like to bring him in. But the other guy too with Edward Cabrera. Julie Perez is a guy um Yuri Perez is a guy that they’re looking to extend. So he’s kind of off the table but he always comes up in talks as well. Edward Cabrera is really good because of one pitch specifically is change up. It’s a dastardly pitch. He has a nasty sinker. He’s been a really good player. And for the MLB The Show players out there, you guys understand how good Edward Cabrera could be. He’s one of the cheesiest players in the game. So, um, I really like what he brings. And if you can get one of those guys, you’re you’re looking at a pretty, you know, quickly this off seasonason could turn on its head because you have Nolan Mlan, you get Sandy or Edward Cabrera, preferably Edward Cabrera, a little bit younger. I think there’s more room for real potential there, but Sandy would be the surefire thing, too. And then you trade for TK school, which we don’t talk about enough. The fact that that’s still on the table. John Aean re brought it up this week again. That needs to be the conversation. They’re out on King people. They’re not signing for Amber Valdez. So, who is the pitchers? Are we trading for Nick Paveta? You really feel confident in Nick Paveta as a Mets fan? You got to get surefire things to surround you. Look, you know what’s funny? Sodto was actually like smiling and cheerful like I have no no something’s coming. I look, everyone goes, “Oh, Sodto doesn’t care.” Believe me, he cares. He’s doing the offseason workouts. You see him pouring sweat. He’s already made his bag. It’s about winning titles. It’s about being with the all-time greats. Everything with that community is all about bragging rights. I’ve been around it for forever. I’ve been around Dominican players, the Puerto Rican players. A lot of it is just bragging. It’s brotherhship, of course, playing for one’s country. That’s why they all value. We might not get it here because baseball is an America’s pastime. But when you look at like players like that come from, you know, you know, Venezuela where a lot of where my family’s from, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, you look at that and it’s like them winning in the in the World Baseball Classic, it means so much. I mean, we all look at Lindor like you’re nuts because he said winning that championship would be like winning a World Series. And we’re we look at him sideways like wait a sec, you’re being paid to play here. But then you look at the flip side. He’s playing there for free. You’re risk risking your, you know, being injured to win for your country. Look at Diaz before he got, you know, he got paid and went and did that. You know, it’s interesting. We got a couple more super chats that just came in. I see them popping in, guys. Appreciate you guys as always. Mets Pro talk from YouTube starts out says, “Nate LOL is the guy Sterns is going to get. I will tell you this. If Sterns Oh my god. Why are you It’s Sunday night, guys. You got You’re not supposed to be pissing me off. Nate LOL. The guy’s terrible. First of all, let’s start out with his stats. How about that? 689 OPS last year, 18 homers, and he hits 228. He’s a righty throwing first baseman, lefty bat, which then kills you adding anybody from the outfield. Oh, so let’s go to Davis Stern’s prime time. If Pete Alonzo’s OA sucks, the guy can’t field for anything. His a his range is minus five. His fielding run value is a -4 total at a 24 percentile. He’s worse than Pete Alonzo and Palano. Come on, man. I know that’s probably a satire super chat. I thank you for the super chat. You guys don’t have to do that. But Nate LOL, what are we doing here? He’d be hitting ninth in last year’s lineup. He’d be the guy I’m screaming at to get his ass the hell out of ninth because Lindor comes up with nobody on. He’s the guy that is just like that. And I know some people are going to say, “Well, Ray, you could look at his, you know, prior years.” So, actually, no, I had it wrong. Last year, 790 ops a little better. But let’s look at his last three years. 665 869. No, thank you. Come on. That’s a little strange how they have that on. If you look at the uh the summary for OPS says 689 for 2025, but then when you go to the actual numbers down below, it says 7 Oh. Oh, because he was traded. That’s why. Okay. So, he was in Boston. He was a little better. Okay. I don’t care. 689 OPS. No thanks. Like we need to get if we want to compete with Philly that we all keep talking about the Dodgers, Dan. Dodgers. Dodgers. Dodgers. We got to be Philly first. Atlanta’s getting better. Atlanta’s Atlanta’s got some dope prospects coming through the system. They do. They know what they’re doing. So, Dan, let’s get your thoughts on Nate Lol. And then we got another super chat to get to from Sandy. Yeah, I appreciate it. Uh Nate Low, good player, right? Uh leader in a lot of respect. Good second half. Uh, I I I think he salvaged some value, Ray, truthfully that if I bring him in, it’s not the end of the world. Like, I get your point, though. I I I’ll pass. I’m going to say that openly and honestly. I don’t want anything to do with him. I appreciate the super chat, of course, but um I think there’s better players to target, better, you know, guys that can add to this team um from a multitude of areas. Like, that’s very important. Uh so, just keep thinking about that. I think that’s important to bring in guys who can like Wilson Contrus. Why does he make sense for first base? Well, he also makes sense to be a catcher, to be a leader, to be a guy to Alvarez to look up to for a two-year window. So, it’s just things to consider, but I will definitely pass on Nate Low. Also, if you’re going to bring in a a a first baseman like that, they just they got to be they got, you know, they got to be premier defender, though. Good defender. Yeah, he’s a M bro minus five. Yeah, but yeah, he has some power there. There’s definitely things to like about him, but I get I get your point. It’s just you have I’m trying to prepare myself for this next super chat. We want Pete Alonzo to walk through the door. He’s not there’s, you know. Okay, so here we go. Oh man, I love you guys. You guys keep me sane because I think I’m nuts. Sometimes I think you guys in the chat are nuts, but we do love you guys, believe it or not. Keep me sane. Here we go. Sandy, appreciate you, my guy, as always. Thanks so much. What about trade for Brian Reynolds, who I would have moved heaven and earth probably for three years ago. But since that extension, yank for either center field or left field and include McNeel in that trade, I would I saw uh I think it was Metrofonic earlier. I could be wrong. I’ll look back. I’ll try to find it if I’m wrong, but they said, “Could we find a way to put McNeel in the rule five draft?” I actually got a chuckle out of that. Thank you for that. include McNeel in that trade and maybe a Jonah Tong. That’s where you lose me. And I appreciate the thought a guy out of, you know, a couple years ago, remember everyone thought he was going to be a Yankee? That was like a lock. Remember that? Mhm. So you look at a guy like Brian Reynolds. Why did we get rid of Brandon Nemo? We got Brandon Brandon New because he was a bad defender. Brian Reynolds 20th percentile in field run value -4. Who else was negative4? Brandon NMO. Oh, his range is in the 25 percentile and his arm value is in the 16th percentile. -2 -2. His best days in my opinion are behind him. He got paid. Uh he’s 30 years old which is good. And look, I’m not saying it’d be the worst thought. I wanted him a couple years ago, Dan. You know, the he’s another switch hitter you could add to the lineup. Go over his stats from last year really quick. I mean, he’s playing I mean, he’s a guy who plays, which you got to which you got to give it to him. But this is my big issue. I’ll take you back to 2023, three years ago. 640, 24 homers, and he hit 263. His OPS was 790. 2024 622 at bats so slightly more same 24 homers and you look at OPS 791 now remember he got paid off the 2022 when he was 27 years old he had 27 homers with a 807 OPS and I’ll go by plus for you guys for those people who don’t like the OPS ops plus starts at 100 if you’re 100 you’re a league average player so anything above that you’re better Anything below, you’re not. So, you go back to 2022, 131 OP uh 127 ops plus. Year before that, 145. Amazing. Doesn’t get much better than that. Then the year after that, 111, 120, and last year it drops to 99. Slightly below league average player. Everything crashed on him. and he played a full season, 654 played appearances, only 16 homers, and he hit 245. When I see stuff like that, and you turn 30 that year, Dan, for me, it scares me. Now, I think he’d be way better in our lineup. He still has a 68 percentile sprint speed. You want to sell He’s like the prototypical number five hitter. He’d be a very good number five hitter. I need whoever we bring in in left fieldielder, at least in my opinion, they must be a number two or three hitter in a lineup. And for me, there’s only two guys that fit that bill. Yeah, Dan. Yeah, I agree, Ray. I don’t really think Brian Reynolds moves the needle for this Mets team. That’s not what I envision. Um, when we talk about getting better, I think he’s just a lateral move. He’s a good player, but I don’t know if he’s really moving the needle where I’m going to trade a Mark Ventos or a Jonah Tong for him. That doesn’t make sense. It’s he’s getting paid. Good for him. He’s a good player again. But um he he at this point in his career, he profiles again more as a left fielder, more as a corner guy. I just I have a hard time getting behind that personally. I like the names, guys. I really do. I think we’re all thinking outside the box. We’re trying to think. Yeah, I appreciate it. You know, that’s the thing. You got to think like David Sterns. And it’s tough to do. He’s good at his job for a reason. We just have to trust it. Are the Mets going to win the World Series in 2026? I have no idea. But put your I do. Yeah. Let’s roll the dice. I’ll give anybody in the chat. I’ll give you 50 to1 odds. I I hear you. Uh but put yourself in a position to at least get to the dance and uh something to think about. So I just get pitching, man. That’s all I care about at this point. Just get pitching, please. Um, the chat is funny. Mets Pro talk follows up another suit chat. Nate LOL is better than Brian Reynolds. That is funny. That is funny. I look all the super chatters, we appreciate you guys so much. We know you don’t have to do it. And there’s other podcasts out there to be watching, but you’re here with us. Over 2500 of you guys on a Sunday night, 11 o’clock. I got work early in the morning, but we’re going to get to some of your guys’ chats right now. A lot of people that we haven’t got to. We got a lot of people started. We’re going to get to you guys. So, while we’re getting to that, make sure to like and subscribe if you guys can. Share the channel with as many people as you know, as many Met fans as you know. Let’s help blow this thing up. Appreciate you guys. With that, we’ll start off with Zack. Mets are swiping right on all the players, but refuse to pay for dinner. Zack, that sounds more like you, my man. No, I know Zach personally in real life. We’re good buds. Appreciate you, man. Burns says, “I can get behind Palanco as DH. He’ll be a solid five or six hitter, Dan.” That’s something that I spoke about last night. I said, “The Mets finally brought in the perfect five hitter, but only to get rid of the four.” Yeah, it’s the issue. Uh, where is he going to bat? Where is Marcus Simeon going to bat? These are all questions that I’m wondering because in a real world, in a perfect world, Marcus Simeon is your two hitter. Think about how that lengthens out the lineup. In a perfect world, you have Luis Anelkunia leading off for the Mets or Jed Williams or Carson Benj leading off for the Mets. Then that bumps Sodto down. It bumps Lindor down. It bumps Palano and Simeon and and Batty and Vientos, whoever’s here. Um, but you still need another bat. And to me, that’s just that’s where the Luis Rober come into play. That’s where the Bregman’s still that talk. the Tuckers. I still I know it feels like big game hunting, but you don’t let a Pete Alonzo go and then sell the fans on Palano. Maybe an Okamoto. Let’s be honest. Like maybe they pivot to the Japanese market and that’s going to heat up real quick too because he has to post by December 22nd. Um Murakami, we’re going to hear that decision very soon. I we’re going to hear that decision very soon. I think that’s the guy the Mets want. Everyone keeps saying, Dan, that oh, the Mets aren’t rumored to be on MI. First of all, I don’t know who his agent is. Second of all, the Mets don’t put their crap out there. Who the hell would have thought Mets wouldn’t offer Pete Alonzo a deal at all? Who thought Edwin Diaz had a deal on the table and went to the Dodgers? Nobody knew any of this. This stuff’s all being kept in house. Last year, you had guys like Martino who, look, I respect the guy. I met him at the baseball event. It was nice guy, but he said rumors have it the Mets are in fifth place and 30 minutes later they announced Sodto’s signing with the Mets. The they just don’t say anything. And am I 27 years old? He’s the guy you overpay. And look, I’m not sold on him, Dan. I know you’re sold on him a lot more than I am, but he’s 27. All these guys are 30. Michael King’s 30 and injuryprone. Framber Valdez literally played with Mike Piaza back in 2000. It feels that’s how old that guy is. He also and a lot of people you can’t you can’t forget this. The guy’s got another full season on his arm because of how much they pitch in the playoffs. Something you got to take into consideration. So for me, I think Amaya is the guy they’re going to go get and I think they’re going to hold on to tongue and hold on to Sprro and hold on to all their young guys. Hold on to the wedding jersey and the Sanuis. We’re rumored to be in all these trades. I don’t see it happening. Are you okay with valuing Amai and giving him a contract at 7 years 180 million at the minimum? Are you okay with that? Committing to I trust Look, a lot of people don’t I see your comments. It is what it is. We’re allowed to disagree here. David Sterns may not be the best negotiator people person. I think that’s fair to say, right? Yes. the crap that’s happening, which is fine. Everybody’s gonna have their pros and cons. One thing I know, I’m not guessing, I know for a fact, David Sterns knows how to identify talent. Go look at Milwaukee. He offered Yamamoto the bag. They go get Juan Sodto. I know he knows talent. Now whether or not he wants to pay that talent long term is a whole different story, but he stopped Nolan Mlan from hitting and made him a pitcher. He changed how Jonah Tongue released the ball and drove the ball and got another mile or two an hour on his Nobody knew who Jonah Tongue was going into last year. Don’t forget there was one prospect in the system everybody was raving about last year. It was Brandon Sprro. Number two was Jet Williams. I mean, you look at it. Nobody knew who Mlan was. Nobody knew who who who tongue was. Ryan Clifford has been developing at a rapid pace. The Jack Wedding jersey. Hell, you look around MLB, MLB.com, Bmeritas, Just Baseball. Everybody’s got Carson Benj as a top 20 prospect. He was a first round. He was David Stern’s first round pick and he drafted him late because he knows how to identify talent. So if you’re telling me it’s a seven-year 180, I’m trusting David Sterns. I agree with you guys. He’s a not a good people pleaser. He’s from New York, so you would think he would know he would get the jingo, but he’s a cutthroat guy, and I think he values a Mai. He flew all the way across the world to watch a lot of these guys play. If he likes one of them and they’re young, I wouldn’t put us out of Morakami. I know they say he’s not a great defender. Maybe the Mets are telling the truth and saying, “Ah, we’re going to play Palano there while we teach Morakami to play better there.” But the last guy I see a lot of people have asked about him, so we might as well get to him. Akamoto, he’s 29 years old and when I look at him, yeah, supposedly a great defender. His numbers are solid, but anybody ever look at his frame? The guy’s 200 pounds, 200. He’s listed at 212, but I hear he’s closer to like 205. I’m not sold he’s going to be hitting American baseballs out of stadiums all over the place. And I could be wrong, but typically when you’re a stud player from Japan or Korea or wherever you’re coming from, when you’re coming and you’re about to be 30, typically you’re not going to be that great over here because if you were that great, you would have came and got the bag a lot earlier. But that’s just my opinion. You made me feel different, Dan. Yeah, it’s interesting. I I Aamoto is more of a contact bat. Um he is more trustworthy than Americami. Funny enough, Murakami’s had the better years. He’s had the grander numbers, the better accolades, but both of them have trouble hitting high velocity. That is a big concern when you are facing nothing but velocity in 2025’s game of baseball where 93 is not heat anymore. You know, back in 2011, sure 93 would definitely get the job done. Uh not today. So that is a little bit of a concern. I don’t know if the Mets get any of them. I know Sterns flew out there. You think Sodto is going to be over the moon about Murakami coming to the Mets? I mean, I I know it’s not all about peas, but that’s the thing. We we heard the news today. Oh, Sodto was in the know about P. Well, okay. I get that we sold Sodto on this idea that the Mets were going to be a real player when they signed him. Sure. So, who is the move? Are you trading for Tatis? Is that a real thing? Nobody believes that to be true. So, what is the move? Maybe it’s Sandy how he opened up the live tonight. Like the Mets openly after they played Miami. They played them down in Miami. Um Mike Puma the post got some great quotes out of all those players. Marte, Lindor, Sodto, how great would it be to play with Sandy Alcantra? The respect around the league speaks for itself. That’s what I would do. I don’t know if I would sign any of these Japanese guys. I don’t Is it worth it? I don’t like the more conf I think it’s worth it. Makes me nervous. Right. So the 08 was what? 089 against 93 plus something like that. Yeah. No, it’s not good. It’s not good at all. Um and can you trust that they can play in New York? I’m not saying Tokyo and Japan in the KBO is anything to scoff at. Don’t get me wrong, different pressure. New York. I I we’ve seen Yeah, definitely. People learn all the Japanese curse words really quick when they don’t like you. It’s New York. I mean, I’ve seen some vile things at the stadiums. I mean, I don’t drink, but when people get that liquid courage, it could be ugly. Sure. Clue follows up says, “Palano is a good pickup. I’m hoping they can trade for Mason Miller. uh should sign Bellinger and ah Bader then trade for Peralta and McGill. Well, they already have their they already have Tyron Taylor. Bellinger Bader. H I don’t think they would have I think picking up Taylor was a wrong was was not a good thing. I don’t know why they do that. I feel like Bader is a way better player, but Bader might be Sometimes these guys are looking for full-time gigs and it’s not a guarantee. You know what I mean? Yeah. I like Benj I like Benj more center. If you want the truth, I don’t think Benj is a corner guy. I think he can legitimately be the center fielder of the Mets. We We love Jeff Williams, right? Like I know you had a great interview with him and he he talked about how he plays all over the diamond and the Mets have him playing different positions and center fields right for him too, but he’s just not tall enough, right? And I I remember using that comparison early with you. I think it was last spring training. We were just talking about the Mets and kind of talking about Jeff Williams, where he fits on the team and I just you see him get these games at spring training and center and it’s just like this doesn’t look right. He looks like a little kid out there and no disrespect to him. I mean, he’s a great player, but he feels more like a second baseman to me. So, Benj, I don’t know. You gonna bring in a I don’t know what they’re going to do. I I just don’t see them uprooting Benj. I’ll tell you one thing, he looks better than McNeel in the outfield. Yeah, I think you look better than McNeel in the outfield most nights. So, you know, I hear you on that. But when do one of these kids or when do one of these younger players get an outfield opportunity? Is it Brett Batty? Is it Luis Elkuni? Is it Ronnie Mauricio? You got to move one of those players out there or just trade him. Ventos glasses. I wish Vientos could play left field. Yeah, he is uh brutally slow. Bob says, “King has said he wants to pitch in the AL East listening to Red Sox, Orioles, and Yankees.” I didn’t see that. That’ll be interesting to see. I’m not saying it didn’t happen. I just uh Boston Globe today, Boston Globe reported the three American League East teams, Orioles, Yankees, Red Sox. I think that was Tim Healey uh explicitly. There was some other reporting too on like Blue Sky and stuff, but um yeah, those are the three teams. The American League East Mets are out on King. I don’t know what happened with that. I really don’t. I’m telling you, it went to four or five years. And you know what it is? I wonder if Sterns becomes a little gunshy now with these injury guys. I mean, let’s be honest, everybody’s got an ego, including David Sterns. He looks like an absolute buffoon with this Frankie Montage contract. Absolute buffoon. Because Yeah, but we knew it. Anybody on this program knows it. Giving him that. Imagine having that kind of money available right now. $17.5 million off the books. It changes a lot. I get it. For me, at least I I get it. I I just think, again, I’m not a Sterns defender. Montas was an awful signing. Sterns has a lot to prove as the GM of the New York Mets. I’m fully aware of the situation, but we’re very shortsighted as fans, right? Look at the Yankees. The Yankees have given out so many bad contracts in their history. They gave Jacobe Ellbury seven years $153 million. That was also when they were the only ones spending. Yeah. I mean, so I I just have hard time to believe. Yes, Montas is an awful signing. Three years or two years, 34 million, 17 a pop. Nobody was giving him that. But you DF him. You moved on. You were open and honest about it. And don’t make that same mistake again. Well, and that’s what I’m saying. That’s why I think he’s might be a little gunshy for that. Yeah. Metaphonic says, “Dan, did you get your ass over to Miami with a party bus? bring back Cabrera. Yeah, we’ll see. Big Carrera guy. Mets fanatic is for sure. He’s all over that. Tim says, “Should the Mets sign Morakami or Akamoto or call up Clifford from the miners as a replacement for Alonzo?” I say neither to all of them. That’s just me. Maybe Dan feels different. Yeah, I I agree. Clifford’s not ready. Makami Okakamoto, I I just I don’t see it. Give Clifford a little bit more seasoning in Triple A. I think he’s the real deal. and you’ll see what happens from there. But it’s going to be a stop gap first baseman, guys. That’s what it’s going to be. Randy says, “Trade them all. OMG.” And shout out to the OMG guy who I actually met at the QVC. Had all the signs there. Some pretty cool stuff. But guys, that’s what we got for you tonight. Make sure you smash the like button, subscribe. This was only supposed to be a 20 to 25 minute live. We’ve gone an hour and 10 minutes. I got to be up at 4 in the morning for work, but I appreciate all you guys being here tonight. Consider becoming a member down in the description below and towards the bottom if you want to be guaranteed to have your voice heard again. We have some amazing guests lined up for you guys coming probably towards after Christmas because my wife is about to pop up. My daughter, I’ve been saying it every every episode, but she is literally on the verge. Another Mets fan born and that’s a rule in my house. I always tell my daughter, she’s two, she gets the rules. I say, “Listen, uh oh, I’m I’m watching uh the football game.” Dan, I’m watching football before I’m watching the I was watching the Chiefs game. And she goes, “Daddy, let’s go. Met.” I said, “You could live in my house rentree one more night.” And look, that’s how they pay. There’s no there’s no options here. People say, “Oh, let your kids choose.” No, you will wear the blue and orange like my sign, like what I’m wearing. Or you could pack your bags. I don’t care if you’re a newborn. So, the onesiey’s ready. I’m ready. I’m stoked. Another Mets fan coming about, folks. Let’s go. Let’s go, Ray. Hey, that’s that’s what it’s all about. You’re a great father. I saw it firsthand at the Mets game and uh you run a great page here at Mechcast. Everybody, make sure to drop a like. Give Ray the love that he deserves. He puts in a lot of time to bring If you ever want, look, I’ll tell you this. If you guys If you guys want to talk Mets late into the night, Dan is your guy. He has a space. And sometimes it just never ends. Never ends. Yeah. Get get some sleep on the space. You could get free sleep on there, too. Sleep catching Z’s on a space. But thanks, guys. We’ll be make sure to anything that happens. We might not react right away because we’re at work sometimes, but I do my best and at least every night we’ll be here to break it down. And whenever I can, I’ll bring on a guest as well to explain. As always, let’s go Mets. Go Mets, guys. [Music]

🔥 Mets Hot Stove Update! The New York Mets are making a major pivot in the pitching market as trade talks continue to heat up across Major League Baseball. In today’s video, we break down the latest Mets news, Mets rumors, and insider buzz surrounding David Stearns’ offseason strategy as the Mets look to reshape their roster for the upcoming season.

With the Mets shifting focus to pitching, we discuss potential starting pitching targets, bullpen upgrades, and trade candidates the Mets could explore. Are the Mets preparing to trade top prospects? Which arms make the most sense for New York? And how does this pivot impact the rest of the Mets’ Hot Stove plans?

⚾ Topics covered in this video:

New York Mets Hot Stove updates

Mets pivot to pitching market explained

Latest Mets trade rumors and MLB trade buzz

David Stearns offseason strategy

Mets pitching targets & roster construction

How the Mets plan to compete in the NL East

If you’re a diehard Mets fan who follows Mets news, Mets rumors, free agency updates, and trade speculation, this is a must-watch. Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for daily New York Mets content all offseason long.

👇 Drop your thoughts below:
Should the Mets go all-in on pitching?
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