REPORT: Mets STEAL TOP Prospect From Yankees!, “Most Aggressive” For Starters, Imai & Murakami NEWS

REPORT: Mets STEAL TOP Prospect From Yankees!, “Most Aggressive” For Starters, Imai & Murakami NEWS

Mets fans, we got a jam-packed discussion this evening. How we doing everybody? It’s Wardy here. It is December 18th, 2025 at the time of this video dropping. And we have so much to get into. The latest news and runways to Metsam headlined by the fact that another day has passed where the New York Mets cannot stop themselves from stealing prying away top talents from the Yankees organization. If you look back over the past calendar year plus, it started with guys like Luis Severino to Klay Holmes to Juan Sodto to now most recently Luke Weaver and Devin Williams for the back end of the bullpen. But now the Mets have pride away consensus number two overall prospect in Major League Baseball as we enter the international signing period in January of 2026. Wanie Asigen shorts stop who I know you guys are going to say the last thing the Mets need is another shortstop. That’s not how these IFA signing periods work. We’re going to break down how Wanie decommitted from the New York Yankees as a shock to the entire Yankee fan base and everyone that they have in company in house and their front office. And ultimately, why did he land with the New York Mets on a lesser contract? So, Dollars was not the differentiator here. He simply said, “No, thank you, Bronx. I want to land in Flushing, Queens with the Mets.” We’ll break down Wii, what you guys need to know about him, more details as to why he left the Yankees organization to join the Mets, and from there, we’ll get into not only how deep the Mets farm continues to look as one of the best in baseball is getting so much better after this IFA signing period beginning in mid January technically of 2026 pitching market. We know the Mets have an appetite for some ace caliber starters, but we also know that they would like to add a guy that could really be in the heart middle of the pack of their rotation. who falls in that category that’s available in the free agent class if at all and ultimately we’ll break down a little bit on these guys who makes more sense than others. From there we’ll also get into the top Japanese players that are set to side sooner than later as our signing windows come to a close and Tatsu Imi Monotaka Rakami and Kuma Akamoto. So guys sit back, relax and get yourself ready for the ride. A lot of breakdown a short period of time to do so. So hit that like and subscribe button on your way. Let me know your initial thoughts, reactions and analysis to the following topics in the comments down below. And as always, shout out to our great friends at Seek that have you covered for all of your ticketing needs. Simply utilize my promo code that is warty10 WY10 for 10% off your next ticket purchase. Because guys, whether it’s NFL tickets, NHL tickets, NBA tickets, concerts, comedies, you name it. All things in the ticketing space. See has you covered. WDY10 for 10% off your next purchase. Link down below. Now, let’s go ahead and deviate away from Michael Kane and those gorgeous highlights we’ll come back to in a little bit later in the show. Let’s go ahead and talk about the following. initially broken today that you guys can see from Vlancis Romero here on X hearing the Dominican shortstop prospect Wii Asigen is has opted out of his contract with the New York Yankees and has agreed to sign with the New York Mets at 3.8 million and this will all happen right around mid January when the signing period officially begins January 15th. If you guys have been following the platform, you know every mid January we cover the top IFA signings the Mets have made and in recent years they’ve made some really really exciting ones. Especially when you bear in mind obviously the crem which was the top shortstop prospect from this past year and Ellie and Pena that the Mets gave a whopping $5 million signing bonus to. They’re not giving 5 million to Wani but isn’t that far off. He’s accepting 3.8 million while he had many other teams showing interest as suitors. So, how did this come to be? How did the Mets managed to pry away again one of the top prospects in all Major League Baseball for the upcoming class internationally when looking at guys from DR, PR, Venezuela, you name it, all these players, a lot of excitement with them. Obviously, a lot of uncertainty, but to be ranked universally through MLB that we’ll break down in second, second in all baseball in this upcoming class is a big deal. And as you guys can see, again, here’s Wanie. We’re going to show you guys all of his highlights, what you need to know about him here in just a second. But the fact that he decommitted from the Yankees and took a pay cut, for context, he was supposed to sign with the Yankees on a on a contract of a 4.3 million dollar signing bonus, which would be one of the bigger ones Yankees have done in this IFA period over the years. For the Mets, that wouldn’t be the biggest, but it would be up there with some of their bigger ones in recent years as they’ve been throwing a lot of money in the IFA pool. And it’s been really exciting because a lot of top talents can come from this. Uh, most notably when I think of guys who the Mets have signed over the years in this category that I’ve had levels of success, Francisco Alvarez first comes to mind back when he was a 16-year-old catcher from Venezuela that the Mets at the time gave a record-breaking contract to on the bonus in their organization’s history. That since has changed as they’ve won up that since then. We have seen it to a degree with Ronnie Mauricio. We’ve seen it with guys who haven’t really panned out too much with guys like Simone Juan and now we’ve seen it to a higher degree there in Ellie and Pñena from a year ago. But why why why why did this youngster go from a $4.3 million bonus to 3.8 to land with the New York Mets? And here’s where the key context reveals itself, everybody. Now, mind you, Juan Sodto having him on the Mets side certainly doesn’t hurt whatsoever, but this is also key context that cannot be understated. The Yankees officially parted ways with their 15-year veteran, one of their heads, if not their head of international scouting, and Donnie Ran that we saw entering this off season. And in doing so, Donnie apparently was a key factor behind why we were going to see one Wii sign with the Yankees. Now that Donnie has left the Yankees organization, so has Wii and his commitment to land with those said Yankees. So because of this, for one reason or another, and I’m sure other factors go in like the sodto affect him on others, he’s taken a pay cut of $500,000 as a 16-year-old on a bonus to land with the New York Mets. So talk about commitment. That is what you love to see. So, as you guys can see now, a bit more beside me, who exactly is Wanie Asigen that the Mets are bringing in? And again, he’s one of the most coveted players in his entire class. As a nice little breakdown here from MLB, they state the following. The excitement around Asigjun’s prospect profile stems primarily from his special left-handed swing. He has ripped off 110 mph exit velocities already, and mind you, he’s 16 years of age. Has repeatedly able to find the barrel during in-game action. Astrogen has a knack for, and I apologize if I’m butchering his last name wrong, too. You guys can correct me in the comments down below. Again, the first of many times I’ll be talking about him in his career, I’m sure. Has a knack for creating loft from his frame. Something that should allow him to continue to tap into his above average power as he continues to fill out. So, a big power hitter from the left side is what we’re seeing that plays short. And the beauty about short, and this is me talking, please do not buy into, oh my god, the Mets have Lindor lock down. Who cares if they have the shorts up? One, by the time they might get to the bigs, Lindor’s time as Met shortstop may be coming to an end with him being really at his best. And secondly, the biggest appeal with landing top prospects that are shorts stops is that they are the easiest to transition to other positions in the infield especially. So for context, if you have a guy like Asigen and a guy like Ellien Pena and they both look really good in their shortstop development, but you’d really prefer to shift one to say third or second base, that should be a smooth transition because it’s less taxing on the player more than likely in comparison to or contrast to if you have a first base or a third base prospect, for example, and then you try to have them be a shortstop. Easier said than done, to say the least. But when they’re already starting developing as a shortstop, again, short stop and center field are universally believed as the most difficult positions to play as an infielder outfielder. So, this will only bode well for him as development regardless as if he stays in that position. Let’s see. The quickness of his hands has evaluators excited about the future potential impact he can have with the bat. Defensively, many of those same actions work in his favor. While his arm is merely average at this stage, mind is only 16. He performs many of the quick twitch movements that evaluators look for when projecting a young player’s ability to stick at shortstop. Agen has a nose for the ball and his wheels, which have been clocked at 6.5 seconds on 60 yard dash times allow him to cover tons of ground laterally. Furthermore, just to give you guys more of a breakdown as to where he ranks against second in all of Major League Baseball that we see out of currently MLB’s rankings, and here’s more highlights separate from those that you guys can check out. He is currently at 6′ 180 lbs, which is crazy. He’s a 16-year-old batting from the left side. And his tools are as follows. His grade currently is at 65 on the hip. Power’s at 60. Run is at 60. Arm belly is at 50. Fielding is at 55. And overall, this is out of 65. This is at 65. So very very exciting stuff from what we’re seeing. Obviously he has more adjusting developing to do especially on how he handles fast balls and off speed breaking pitches on the outside quarter. But that’s something that he can hopefully continue to develop and blossom as as he continues his young development as a player. But this is very exciting news Mets fans because just when you said to yourself the Mets farm is in great position to have success for blockbuster trades. Well now the Mets have positioned themselves not that they need to do this. I’d like to clarify this, but they have now positioned themselves where if the Mets wanted to trade at Ellie and Pñena at all in the next calendar year in a truly blockbuster deal, there would be a greater pallet to do so. Now, knowing that Pena is not the lone star of a shortstop prospect that they have in the organization, he is now just one of multiple. And again, I’m not saying the Mets should by any stretch trade PA. I’m just saying they have more creativity and flexibility with their farm than they’ve ever had. And that’s a really, really exciting thing if you ask me. So, as you guys can see more here, and that’s Munitaka. We’ll go back to him later on in this one. To just expand a little bit more here on what you guys should know about the Mets infield makeup, it’s as follows. Just just rattling off names that have stood out to varying degrees that are going to be exciting moving forward. You have Wii and you have Elliot as I mentioned. You also have Mitch Voy who the Mets drafted just out of the first round last year from Michigan who’s very exciting, a fantastic defensive webg first mentality when he was in college. So it’ll be interesting to see how he continues to transition to the professional level. AJ Ewing who dominated this past year them farm for the Mets. Absolute speed demons. Felt like he stole north of 100 bags. And that’s really not too much of an exaggeration. I believe he had 70 plus this past year in the minor leagues. Fantastic hit tools. Similar hit tools to a degree in profile of Jet Williams, which is very exciting on how he profiles as a player. Jet Williams, Jacob Rhymer who blossomed in the Mets farm this past year as well as someone who has a lot of really good hit tools that developed in the Mets hitting lab. in the farm. You look at Boston Burrow who had an up down past year but there’s still levels of of excitement with him, Marco Vargas, Trey Snyder, Colin Hal who slowly but surely developing 2023 first round pick for Billy Eper. Mets had a dominant 2023 draft. Like literally one of the best we’ve seen in years that was thanks to Eper. And the crazy thing is that we’re looking at that draft class. Colin Howling looks like one of the worst picks when he was our first pick of the draft. So that just shows you how great of a job they did with their depth that year. We also look at um guys like Yonatan Henriquez who’s also in the mix, Antonio Jimenez, and the list goes on. So, the Mets are in very good standing with their very exciting infield prospects. But right away, you’re going to have someone like Asigen come in and be universally one of their most coveted infield prospects right away because that is how coveted he’s been in Major League Baseball and how much he will continue to be in the Mets farm. Fantastic job by everyone involved in the Met Sky department this year getting the job done, pouncing once there was uncertainty begun. I don’t know exactly when that began on Wan’s front, but universally from everything I’ve seen on social media from people that are tapped in to the Yankees officials and their farm is saying how not only disappointed they are, but truly how taken back they are by this actually coming to fruition. And again, whether it was the clear X factor or AX factor partying ways with their 15-year veteran of their international scout there and Mr. director of scouting, I should say in um Donnie, who we just talked about, did not bode well on the likelihood of someone like Wii staying committed and the Yankees organization. So, the Yanks, who have continued to swing and miss a lot in the IFA pool over the years, continue to do exactly that as they’re still hopeful to land some of the top names in the class as we get set for January 15th, just a couple weeks away from the time of us talking right now. So, Mets fans, let me know all your thoughts on Wii, your excitement level, and ultimately, how confident are you now in the Mets farm? as we know they have an abundance of assets and riches. They’re on the pitching front, but now you mean to tell me that they’re really bolstering things on the infield front with guys that are getting massive bonuses. That’s an exciting time because these are the kind of players that, God willing, we should hopefully see transition to the major league level as soon as anywhere from the age of 19 to 21. That is where we see how coveted guys like Wanie and Ellen are in particular. Not that not not that it’s a lot that they’ll make the league by those ages, but there’s been a lot of talk especially with Ellien in particular how he may very well have a Janotoesque rise and someone that will not need a huge adjustment period to get to the major leagues. So whether it’s by the time he’s 19 20 years of age should that hold true with Wii that is still tremendous success when you bear in mind the average age of players in Major League Baseball and how long it takes a lot of kids to develop and get to the bigs. at least see Wii and or Ellien get to the bigs by latest age 20 potentially or 21. That is absolutely fantastic work by this organization’s player development should they obviously not trade any of the any of these guys in the coming years. But guys, let me know your thoughts down below on all that. I greatly appreciate that. Have a blast working with them for Mets coverage and MLBY coverage every year. We’ll be doing a lot more stuff with them as we get into the new year and beyond getting closer to spring training. The Mets are among at least seven teams that have been most aggressive in targeting mid-tier starters uh starting pitchers per Jeff passing. Now, let me clarify something. Okay, there’s a big question mark as to what mid-tier starter falls in because in my opinion, you can make the argument that Michael Kane is in this limbo of mid-tier to ace caliber. He a he has ace caliber upside, but he doesn’t have the track record to state that he’s in that category. but he also falls in the category of again being a mid-tier type starter again a guy what’s a mid-tier in my opinion a mid-tier is a starter that falls more in the mid to back end of your rotation because that’s what Kane would currently be doing um with upside to be as good as a one or a two for you but how he performs will be indicative as to really how far the upside goes now there are an abundance of starters currently available in the market that I think you could classify as quote unquote mid-tier in the fringe market and that currently consists of starters ers like Walker Beer, Patrick Corbin, Michael Lorenzan, Max Shurer, Justin Verlander. All guys that we do not want to see in Queens. Those are more guys on the back end that would not upgrade this rotation at all. Then you have guys that bring levels of success of an upgrade and Tyler Mey, Zack Little, who the Mets have been connected to over the years from the Rays organization or Latell, Nick Martinez, who’s been utilized as a starter and reliever. Wouldn’t shock me if the Mets went down a guy like him for any eaters as basically a Griffin Cany replacement if they don’t bring Griffin Cany back. Otherwise, I don’t really see the appeal. Lucas Golito, who had a very good year on the baseline year, Ray, but his expected numbers were trash for the Red Sox. Gio has not been the same starter since since the sticky substance breakdown three plus years ago in baseball. And I really don’t have much of an appetite for him personally. But there’s one that sticks out like a sore thumb. One, because a he’s still going to be able to provide the innings more than likely, and B, he has had a level of success in Queens. And yes, it’s literally the guy you the guy that you see beside me and Chris Bassid. Now, I’ll make it abundantly clear. I don’t love the idea of landing Chris Basset. I’m not saying that the Mets need to land Chris Basset. I’m just saying if we’re gonna go with the free agent options out there that fall more in mid-tier category, he falls in that category. I think Zack Allen is probably a step ahead. I think you can maybe argue that Michael Kane is a little bit of a step ahead. He just doesn’t have the track record. So, if we’re going to go with these options, and mind you, doesn’t mean that the Mets can’t land a mid-tier starter in the trade market. That’s something that’s not being talked about nearly enough right now. I understand free agency is a huge topic and talking point, but it doesn’t change the fact that there’s an abundance of starters that may be available via trade that are more the mid-tier category where they’re not necessarily an ace, but a guy that again can come in to be your three or your four year rotation. But let’s just go ahead with the free agent options for now for the sake of this video not being two hours long. And let’s go ahead and break down a little bit on Chris Basset because we know that Basset rolled over a die just like Max Scherzer against the San Diego Padres’s and the wild card in 2022. So, I’m not trying to pitch you on Basset’s tremendous playoff success, even though we did see him be a fixture and a focal point in the Blue Jays success in their World Series run this past year. Basset, who’s now entering kind of nuts. He’s only entering his age 37 season, feels like Basset’s 40 already, he’s been old for forever it feels like. But with the Mets in 2022 in 181 innings, he had a eight plus K for nine to 2.4 walks per nine, a 3.4 year rate, and a 3.4 expected year rate. Very good year for Bass in his one and done year. At the time, the Mets traded Adam all for him, who has not amounted to anything of significance for the Mets fans as loose sleepover. As we see, Aller was initially a rule five draft pick for the Mets years ago, blossomed the farm in 2020 uh one getting into 2022, and that’s what led him to being traded that ensuing offseason as part of the Basset deal. And if I’m not mistaken, it was Aller, right? If it wasn’t all then I know we traded Kade Morris to the Athletics but I think that was part of the Paul Blackburn trade but don’t quote me on it everybody. Let me know what I’m right and wrong on the comments down below. Bassid began his multi-year contract with the Blue Jays in 2023. Pitched 200 innings for the workhorse at the age of 34. Really good same exact K took ratio. Home run rate was a little up but he’s in more of a batters box half the year. 3.6 year rate and a four expected year rate. Bassid 2024 171 innings almost a 9K per nine but the walks jump one full walk per per nine to 3.6 or so home run rate goes back down a little bit but a 4.1 year with a 4.5 expected year not the best year for Basset then 2025 rolls around for Basset 170 170 innings not including playoffs 8.7K per nine 2.7 walks per nine back to a home run rate over one per nine a 3.96 RA and a 4.2 to expect to your rate. What is the common theme with Chris Basset over each of the past four plus seasons? It’s that he’s given you at least 170 innings. And that’s what the Mets need. So, if the Mets said, “You know what, Chris, let’s sign you on a one-year contract with a secondyear option. We know that you have handled New York and can handle it well. We know that we shouldn’t rely on you as a guy that we need to step up come playoff time. Uh, would you be interested in returning the Mets here on a contract?” And, uh, something that I think will be better of AE than other clubs because that’s what you have to do if you’re Sturds. Otherwise, why would Basset want to at all return to New York? Um, I think that there’s enough to justify going after Chris Basset if you want him as more of that mid to backend option for you. But again, just as I said with Michael Kane, you cannot land someone like Chris Basset without doing something of greater significance for this rotation. So, let’s say hypothetically the and I’m not saying the Mets need to or are going to go down this route. So, just let me clarify that. I’m just saying as a hypothetical. And the Mets went down a route where the rotation beginning next season looked along the lines of no MLAN, Freddy Peralta, TK Scooble, Joe Ryan, just someone in the category of an Ace Cowboy upside starter that they acquire via trade. You can plug in whatever name you want to plug in there. Mlan and that other individual are one and two. Then you get to three and then you get to three and your three at that time is going to be Klay Holmes. Then you get to year four and your four is one of David Pierce or Kodica, whoever that they decide not to trade. Then you get to your five, it’s Chris Basset. Then you get to your six and then that is where you have the floodgates open a bit more because you have Sha Maniah looking to have a bounceback season. And you could argue you want Mania in front of Basset, but I I don’t really think one is crazy better than the other right now in a profile. They are former teammates from Oakland, too. So maybe that could at all be a selling point in negotiations for him. And then you have Brandon Sprone and Jonaton on the outside looking in. That is not bad pitching depth at all. And that’s something I’m in favor of if the Mets went down that route. But what I’m not in favor of is if you instead of landing and acquiring that Ace caliber starter or signing for Valdez, all your rotation next season starts with Noah Mlan, Klay Holmes, Michael Kane, Shawn Mania, and then you go on from there because again, you’re lacking the certainty of ace caliber upside starters. You need guys with more certainty than that. And it’s even worse if you say Landon Basset and then you say third back Griffin Cany in the mix and you didn’t land someone of greater significance than that. That is where the Mets cannot fall in the category of. If they do, I like every other Mets fan will be pitchfork and fire in those hands to go after David Sterns and what they’re doing wrong with building this rotation heading in next season. I understand wanting wiggle room for your youth, but I also understand the Mets are still in a win now stage and you need to allow those pitchers to prove themselves and to actually jump in because they pitch so well. Like last year, they were rushed to a degree because the Mets were so incompetent with their rotation. The Mets had at all a level of competence with their rotation. They would not have rushed up Mlan, Ton, and Sprro to the degrees that they did. But they did it out of desperate need because they waited too long. They sound their hands and before they knew it, they had no other starting options to consider. and that was a route to go down when MLAN it worked with Spura worked to a degree and Watan it didn’t work all that well but again a big adjustment period for him he’s the youngest of the group so that’s why I’m not worried but I’d love to hear from you guys out of the Mat supposedly being among the most aggressive in this mid-tier market which starter out of the one that I relay to you guys separate from Chris Basset are you most attracted to if at all or you having your foot down and saying I don’t want anyone from that pack in general you got to shoot for an absolute lowest bar Michael Kane upward I find myself in the category. I’m curious where you guys find yourselves on this topic in particular. But now to go on from talking about Chris Bass, it’s Sebass, the Bulldog. We’ll get into more on him if we have to this offseason. But for now, we’ll leave it at that. Let’s also go ahead and talk about an abundance of other topics here in Metslam. And let’s begin here by getting on to a little bit more regarding Tatsui because this came out that the Yankees are unlikely to land Tatsui, but that fans should stay tuned. So, this quote is not entirely accurate. I do need to correct it, but I’m just using this for the sake of what the topic is on the front of Tatsu Emay. Okay, so this is the exact exact quote from Jack Curry that we saw today and I want to hear your thoughts on it. This is from Yes Network for the Yankees and I quote, “I’m not sure there’s a connection there.” And then he followed it saying, “Stay tuned.” And it was extremely vague. And Curry has been one to really guess up with the Yankees have been in the market for players over the years. So to see him kind of throw cold water on this is telling that we should be surprised at this rate if Tatsu Emai signs with the New York Yankees which I’m certainly not complaining about as a Mets fan who would love to see Emi not only with the Bronx but land in Flushing and Queens instead. And if there’s anything positive to say on the EMI front, while I will be surprised if the Mets gave him a long-term deal, as there’s an expectation EMI will get a contract in the 5 to seven plus year window. Um, it’s hard to envision the Mets going there, even though Emani has more of the qualities and attributes you’re looking for, only turning 28, just starting peak prime of his career, sub 22-year rate this past year, touch 100 on his fastball, look dominant in doing so, a sub 10k per nine to two and a half walks per nine. A tremendous home run rate. There’s a transition period with the MPB. Yes, we know this, but we also know that I as of over the past couple days has begun the process now where he is actively meeting with teams and he’ll be meeting with teams at their facilities to check them out as I will have to side with a club by the time we get to early January because that is when his his posting window will be done. Not as soon as Mudaka Murakami who only has if I’m not mistaken around four calendar days left to sign cuz he needs a sign by December 22nd. So there’s a lot more to say on the Murakami front to a degree than there even is with someone like Tatsu Emai. But I who is a very attractive piece for the New York Mets. One does have to wonder the Mets lack of connection to Emi might not be a bad thing. Again, I’m not saying this for you guys to get your hopes up. Anything that can h anything can happen in regards to the Tatsu Emi pursuit. We know the Phillies really like Emani and have been involved in his market. We know the Chicago Cubs have been really involved and we know that Ei has a stated he doesn’t want to go to the Dodgers, wants to beat them as a matter of fact and b he doesn’t want to land with a team that already has Japanese talent which means the Mets landi there’s a greater likelihood than ever that they would trade someone like Kodai Sena. So why would Tatsui come to the New York Mets? I think there’s a couple things to take into consideration. one the Mets success with Japanese pitchers over the years because even though Sena has struggled to stay healthy when he has been healthy and hasn’t dealt with ailment he’s been awesome and we’ve seen him shown those flashes of success with the Mets and the Mets really kind of move the needle with that signing under Billy Eper to show that hey we do have a say and we do have levels of success in this MPB market not nearly as dominant as the Dodgers but that’s okay when Tatsui wants nothing to do with that same LA club so imi I love the fact that the Mets have actually not really been connected him much because if he lands with the Cubs, if he lands with the Phillies, I’ll worry about it then. Especially if he lands with the Phillies, that’ll really suck because that’ll be hard to justify if you’re the Mets. How could you land allow him to land with the Philadelphia even though the Phillies you could argue are the more attractive team from rotation depth of really being one of many horses there? As well as the Phillies still looking like that they’re in greater standing of an organization from the MLB ready product than the Mets. And that’s just a fact. The Phillies were a better team than the Mets this past year, even though the playoff run didn’t have much to be desired. Phillies fans know that firsthand. But as long as hopefully he doesn’t land with a rival like that, Eli and the Mets may have more steam than you initially think because what is the common trend that we have seen this off seasonason with the exception of the Luke not not Luke Weaver with the exception of the Deon Williams signing. Every single move that David Spence has done this off seasonason has come rather quietly. It has come basically out of nowhere. Okay. When looking at not only both Alonzo and Diaz leaving when they left specifically some of it we understood to a degree others still took us back. Then we look at Brandon Nemo trade came out of nowhere for Marcus Simeon. We also look at all the other moves the Mets have made and the the theme trend has been not a lot of reporting has happened prior. So if there’s anything to be cautiously optimistic about if you’re a Mets fan that wants to see Tatsuay land in Queens, it’s the fact that there really hasn’t been much reported connection since the start of the offseason. I love him. I think he’d be awesome. He’s a guy that again, mid-rotation starter with Ace Caliber upside, but he brings so much upside out of this entire class. I think you could justify really going out of your way to try to sign someone like him. And yes, I is a guy that I think you do go the lengths of getting him a seven-year contract because that’s likely what it will take to have to try to sway him to go to the Mets instead of going to other contending teams because as I say, the Mets don’t have a lot that they can sell currently. So, you have to flex your financial muscle. You have to flex the adamacy of the how bright your future is with your farm and how you’re going to continue to build around sodo landor and co into what’ll hopefully be a very good product as soon as 2026 and kind of you know see where the chips fall wherever they may. So Mets fans let me know your thoughts on Tatsoi as the Yankees do not appear likely to land him as of now barring changes and that could continue to open the door for a team like the New York Mets asai is getting closer to deciding where he’s going to sign. Now, beyond Tatsuya, everybody, we have more topics to get into in this one. And we have topics on the front of specifically um Mudaka Murakami, Cosmakamoto. And I’d like to touch on these specific topics in particular. As you guys can see here, shout out to um let’s see, Yakyu Cosmopolitan on X. Easily the best account you guys can find on X when breaking down these MP talents and kind of what they may profile as. And in reply to um uh Daniel Wexler, who is a very good follower on X as well, probably tweets about the Mets more than anyone else on the planet. I mean, he lives and breathes X. It’s actually insane. From from dust till dawn, he’s always posting stuff. Um, but he did ask opinion from Yaku here on X, his thoughts as to what the floor versus the ceiling is for Munitaka Murkami because there’s been a lot of contradicting reports coming out and I’ve fallen unfortunately victim to this as well. initially thinking that Mudotaka Murkami was horrendous against any type of fast ball beyond 93 miles per hour, but that’s factually incorrect. Actually, he actually has handled velocity very well. As a matter of fact, and where he’s had struggles have been in very, very limited sample sizes. So, when you look at actually the sidebyside of Murakami’s success level against Velocity at the same age Otani was at, they’re literally identical. So that’s why the juryy’s still at as to why Makami might be one of the sneakiest pickups for a team this off season because his market has fallen to a degree and it see may be able to land him on a smaller structured contract than what we initially thought. Reporting has come out from Will Simon of the Athletic over the past day that Murkami may have to settle with a short-term contract to be determined if that’ll actually hold true. But as Yaku also breaks down, he says the ceiling for someone like Munitakami is a Raphael Devers, Matt Olsen, or Curtses superstar capable of a 900 plus OPS and 50 plus home runs. I mean, that potential alone is why teams are going to really be trying hard to land him. And I hope the Mets fall themselves in that category more than where I’ve previously stated they shouldn’t be. I like Kosma Okamoto more as a team profile and fit, and I’ve stood by that. But Murakami definitely has a higher ceiling between the two just entering his age 26 season. a true DH profile. Not a guy you want the hot corner much at first base. But as someone who again, maybe you could have platoon a bit more time with Jorge Palano if he gets his defense better. I just think it’s a defensive disaster class if that’s route the Mets go down. Makami, I’d love for it to happen, but I feel like the Jorge Palano signing has all but solidified the likelihood that Makami will not land with a team like the Mets. Having said that, however though, knowing that his floor is someone more in the Joey Gallow range is interesting because again, he very well could fall in this swing and miss category where he just does not develop well. Like here again, the worst that we’re looking at are guys like Sinsky and Morell. You know, worst too much swing and miss for power to play below average overall with occasional hot streaks. The 50th percentile league average would be guys like again Joey Gallow, Alvarez, and Mr. Davis. Going back to that Heret’s contract, the Orioles very dangerous but volatile, low average, and we’re looking at, you know, clearly being a merchant. Uh, uh, pardon me, uh, being obviously, um, a doubles home run machine, power translates, but at the cost of leading the league in strikeouts. So, that very well could be the case for Murkami. He has an absurd strikeout rate as we head into next season. And then you have Maxy, Raphael Devers, Madison types. That’s like best scenario. If everything goes well with Murkami, he could easily become like a Kyle Schwber profile as one of the best true lefty power heading ZH profiles in Major League Baseball. And God willing for Murakami’s case, that is where he falls in the category of. Let’s also not forget David Sterns uh scouted him in person August of this year. I believe it was August 12th actually that he was in attendance for Morakami’s game in the MPB in Japan and watched him hit a walk-off bomb in real time live in person. So Sterns has seen firsthand front and center exactly how important of a talent Murkami is in this free agent class. Yes, the floor is lower than Akamoto, who I have a lot of great things to say about, but the ceiling is greater than anyone else that we’re talking about coming out of Japan this off seasonason. And that swing really can transition to the major league level. You know, you’re going to see that sweet swing dominate in the league for years to come. So Murakami, I like I don’t necessarily love. I love the upside with him. And that upside alone is why I would not be opposed to the New York Mets if they find themselves landing Munoak in the end. However, like I said, now that you sign Jorge Palano that’s going to get reps at DH, may be bounced around the infield for times that you need it from every now and then and some reps at first. It just feels like if the Mets were going to land a Munotaki Murakami that they were not going to land someone like Jorge Palanco $20 million a year for two years otherwise. You know, I just I’ll have to see it to believe it. Um, Kazumakamoto is a guy that I really, really like as well that I’ve told you about plenty. I’ll just be very brief on him. Okamoto is the most polished MPB talent coming out of Japan for position players. He’s been the captain for the Murray Giants for the past decade. Has a David Wrightesque swing, which is very appealing about him and has been a basically a version of a Gold Glove six consecutive times or so in the MPB. Maybe not consecutive, but a lot of the times at the hot corner, can play above league average defense at first base, can also handle the left field without a problem. He’s very versatile. is probably the second most versatile player in this free agent class after Cody Ballinger, which is kind of crazy to say. But Nakamoto, who sits right around 30 30 bombs, north of 90 RBI’s every single year, hitting for great high contact. He had a limited sample size this past year before he was posted obviously, but was dominant in doing so, as the first position player in Yamorei Giants team history in Japan to actually be posted uh from the MPB. So Aamoto, who served a decade or so as the captain for the Murray Giants, now is looking to take his talents to the major league level. We’ll see if Aamoto will not only line with the Mets, but with a team that’s going to be able to get versatile with him, who I think will have a more polished and immediate impact of a bat than what Munitaka Murakami will give you with whatever team he signs with at the MPB level. But let me know guys your thoughts on Murakami, Akamoto, and all that fun stuff. Everybody, I greatly appreciate it because before we get out of here, I do just have a couple other kind of miscellaneous Mets topics I would like to touch on just briefly uh because they’re regarding the Mets and we might as well have the conversations about them while we’re here. So, going on from that everybody, let’s also shout out Noah Mlan. As you guys could see, he was talking with MLB Network today on really just saying how pumped up he was and staying and and I quote, “Once they got the call, it was a no-brainer for me. I’ve always loved watching those guys go out and compete for their country.” So Mets fans, either cover your ears, cover your eyes, or get filled with excitement. The World Baseball Classic is happening next March, and Nlan will be a key fixture in it. And what will be a star-studded Team USA rotation already looking like the best rotation out of any team that will be available for the World Baseball Classic. I mean, Team USA is currently positioning themselves to actually give Japan a run for their money greater than losing to gold to them in 2023 as they had Murataka Makami, of course, Yoshinoi Yamamoto, rookie Sasaki, Shi Otani, Lars Nupar, funny enough, among others. But yeah, they’re they’re they’re really building the roster right now. Just to show you guys the latest commitments as of today for Team USA, TKO, hopefully soon to be New York Met. Paul Skins, Joe Ryan, No Mlan, Mason Miller. Hopefully some of those guys are Mets as we get into next season. I would love any of them, literally any of them. And I know skins won’t be traded, but the others might. Um, I also know that Klay Holmes has committed to Team USA as well. So, Holmes and Mlan will be going right out there and trying to dominate for Team USA. We’ll be doing a lot of fun coverage for the WBC as we get to that time around spring. But again, after seeing Diaz blow his knees knee out, thankfully he’s not a Met, so we don’t have to worry about it in that sense at least. Um, he’ll probably be repping team Puerto Rico and I’m sure dominate without an issue because, god forbid, uh, that things don’t work out for the Dodgers for once. I anticipate Team USA to look really, really good. And I understand fans are concerned about the injury that happened in Diaz a couple years ago. I don’t fault you. Uh, from that point on, I haven’t won any New York Met involved in the WBC for that reason. But it doesn’t matter how we feel. It’s going to happen regardless. Soda’s going to be playing in left field for team Dominican Republic. So, like Lindor is going to be captain for uh Puerto Rico again. These things are inevitably going to happen. Allonzo will be playing for Team USA for Baltimore, which will kind of be crazy. Should he be playing for them? I don’t know. And confidence if he is yet. Um, but this is going to be really, really interesting to see how it all plays out. A lot of Mets are committing committed. And the main thing that concerns me with injury risk with starters in particular, with guys like MLAN and Holmes, is more so the fact that they’re basically going to be going from zero to 100 and throwing in highly competitive, highly intense games trying to give their team quality innings. And that is something that if you’re doing that early in the season before really spring train in full swing, there’s always greater cause for concern and risk of injury. So I hope and pray to God nothing happens there. But if it does happen, you know what to blame. It’s the WBC. Now, also another miscellaneous topic touch on briefly. There was an interesting uh report that came out out of the Texas Rangers camp today that I’d like to share regarding maybe some clubhouse differences that we saw uh for Cory Seager and Marcus Simeon, two of the key fixtures and leaders in that or leading to their 2023 World Series championship. John Heymon stayed the following on Bleach Report Live, which I also do for BR. So, shout out Heymon for doing a great job there. He said the Raiders ultimately traded Sime to the Mets in part because the organization wanted to break up the pairing over what he described as a clubhouse thing, adding that there was a little bit of conflict there. Now, I’d like to preface this had far more to do with the Raiders wanting Brandon Nemo, Simeon being a contract that made sense to swap and Simeon coming off of some seasons that weren’t the best productively and he’s not getting any younger. That was a key focal point behind Marcus Simeon getting traded instead of just clubhouse where we’ve we have heard rumblings that you know Lindor wasn’t even made captain for the Mets this past year because Brandon Imo is one of the guys that would have kind of felt slighted by that. So interesting that there’s to a degree clubhouse differences or you know difference in minds have led to these guys being departed and essentially traded in Nemo for Simmon here. Simmon and Siger uh Simmon and uh Seager have long been known to have different philosophies when it comes to game prep. That dynamic was previously referenced by former Ranger Kevin Plar and former New York Met Chatam on foul territory upon his retirement in July. The Rangers clubhouse had a lot of individual stuff going on and a lot of guys who were doing their own thing. Additional signs of clubhouse chemistry issues were noted by DLLS Rangers reporter Jeff Wilson who said that during the 2025 season made multiple attempts to organize team gettogethers but only a handful of players attended. So kind of pulling what we saw the reporting of with Chris Paul who’s done with the Clippers was supposedly trying to do like team parties and all this stuff but no one was showing up. So seeing again the captain of the Rangers trying to be the team leader trying to lead but unfortunately didn’t lead as much by example as maybe he was initially hoping for right or wrong reason. Jury still out. Wilson also added the team really spent time together off the field and that many players wives frequently travel with the club an arrangement he described as atypical. A Rangers Nation source familiar with the situation claims tens tensions escalate in late 2025, which makes sense because the Rangers of course did not have a good year. And success trumps all. I promise you, if the Rangers um had valiant playoff runs since the World Series championship two years ago, this would not even be a discussion piece right now. But all in all, some differences in philosophy and how they carry themselves. But all I have to say is I really hope Marcus Simeon fills in the shoes of Brandon Nemo because Simeon was the pardon me NMO was the guy for the Mets that was doing a lot of the team get together separate from Lindor. NMO was the guy in spring training that would always get together their golf trip that they would do with all the players and their families and a port St. Lucy like NMO is the guy that has been a fixture in so much including the team Santa that he’s no longer a part of. Now, it’s the youngsters, I’ll show you guys in a second, that took part in it, while Klay Holmes was the official Santa for the Mets holiday party that they did um at City Field today, if I’m not mistaken. But you need guys that can really fill in those shoes that go beyond the onfield product. So hopefully Simeon, who again looks like he’s a really good team leader, trying to lead, trying to invite guys to take part in activities off the field. I anticipate that he will hopefully smoothly be a transition from NMO to him and kind of handling those things moving forward, but to be determined obviously like anything else. But that was some interesting detail on the front of the Rangers and the differences between Marcus Simeon and Cory Seager. Beyond that, however though, everybody, we did see briefly the Cardinals are still interested in rotation edition. I told you guys going back a month uh going back over the past couple weeks, I’ll be surprised if one of David Pearson or Kodiena is not traded at Seattle Central. I have a feeling that one of them one of them is going to be traded in the NFL Central for a need for need type thing and the Mets will be happy about what they’re getting in return. So we’ll see if that suitor becomes the Cardinals in the end. Here’s Jonah Ton looking like a kiddo as he is. Brandon Sprro, Nolan Mlan are serving as Santa’s elves for Klay Holmes today at the Mets holiday party. Um love to see that. I love the youngsters. Hopefully the three had a monster for this Mets rotation next year should they not be traded all thrive. Excited to see them. Also, I thought was notable was remarks from Brandon Sprro did state the following that Brandon Sprro um said how, you know, he he’s in constant contact daily with MLAN and Han off the field. So, they’re a really tight-knit group. All more reason why you cannot trade away that group unless a you acquire truly an ace caliber starter like a school among others, b you go after Mason Miller and actually land him or C bring in a guy that’s so elite like again a Fernando Tatis Jr. something along those lines. Anything else? Kick rocks. As you guys can see, the team USC Team USA WBC team is looking nasty. Scooble, Skins, Mlan, Ryan, Holmes, Miller, Boyd, Clever, Whitlock, Jacks. That is a star-studded pitching staff from the rotation to some of their bullpen ads that they’ve done to this point. And one final thing before I get out of here that I did want to mention with you guys was from this piece from Jeff Pass did also state that the Mets are absolutely in the market for the top pitchers still if they’re going to drop in their years. Meaning the Mets would love a Fremer Valdez, but they don’t want him long term, which is not anything new. We have known about this for a little bit now. And here’s also the piece everybody regarding Munoakami from Will Salmon. And the final thing that I’ll share with you guys before we get out of here is a little Luke Weaver telling you how much he loves and wants Sodto. And this was prior to Sodto signing with the New York Mets. Now that relationship can be rekindled as teammates yet again. Listen up everybody. Oh, maybe not. It literally just glitched on me. Shout out to X for glitching. Tends to do this randomly at times. I apologize for that, everybody. I’ll try to get you this clip here in just a second, though. So, bear with me as I go ahead and do exactly that. In the meantime, I might as well relay the other thing that I did want to mention, which is the fact that again, the Mets have brought back Kevin Herget on that one-year minor league contract, of course, that we saw with a spring training invite. Herget logged 12 innings for the Mets this past season, allowed just four runs. Again, veteran right-hander, New Jersey native, grew up a diehard David Wright fan. Happy to have him back in the mix as a spring training invite, and then you go on from there. Uh, I also did want to mention the following. If this will not glitch on me, so to be determined, everybody, it just did it again. Oh, this is so annoying. Hold on, folks. Let me see if I can try to figure this out. It’s okay. If we can’t find the clip, I’ll play it for you guys tomorrow. It’s not It’s not the end of the world. Instead, what I’ll do before we get out of here, I’ll show you guys the following. The latest roster moves the New York Mets made as of yesterday was acquiring Drew Romo off waiverss from the Baltimore Orioles. He’s a 24-year-old catching prospect. Used to was a top draft pick just a couple years ago. So, a lot of potential there. Shout out to the Romo family. I saw his mom follow me on X and himself liked my post on congratulating him. So, congratulations on joining the or Roma. We’ll see what you can provide. Hasn’t really done much in the minor leagues to be excited about. a former top draft pick from the Rockies organization and we’ll see if he mounts anything. Again, only 24 years of age, so plenty potential for him. Um, someone at minimum will just be in the minors continuing his development as a young catcher with limited upside. But as a corresponding move, the Mets did in fact TFA Brandon Wedell, which is kind of a bummer. I hope Wedell stays in the organization and clears waiverss because Wedell is an innings eater. Has ate some quality innings for the for the Mets last year as a swingman type of a southpaw and he’s not bad. Not bad at all. So, I hope that he doesn’t in fact go anywhere. But if he does, I’m wishing him the best with his future endeavors. But guys, that’ll do it for our video. Thank you so much for watching. Hit that like and subscribe button on your way in and on your way out. I’ll see you all here next time, breaking down all the latest in Mets land. This is your guy Wardy signing out. Let’s go Mets. Peace out, folks.

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