OT: Mets 2026 Season Thread

Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
89,006
86,986
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Now at the point where watching every game is no longer fun. Unless things turn around, or there is a major event, like firing Stearns or the Manager, may not (but I reserve the right to whine!) post so much for rest of the season.

When the best broadcast team in baseball starts going after management, you know it is bad.



And WTAF?

 
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RuBird

Heisman
Jun 28, 2001
18,812
24,049
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This is how bad it is for me. I actually enjoyed Rutgers Basketball with Eddie Jordan coaching and Rutgers Football with Chris Ash at the helm Better than this Mets team. I still went to games. Enjoyed seeing friends and game day experience/tailgating. My wife says she still wants to go to a game and treat me for Father’s Day. I want to tell her that hasn’t going thru cancer been enough suffering for you and the family? Now you want to subject us to this? Buy me a tie for Father’s Day instead😉
 

Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
89,006
86,986
113
What was Keith doing last night- replies are comical.


--Trying to get him closer to the batters box. Hopefully nobody notices when he gets an AB later in the game.

--Ronny has gas

--Hopefully he’s negotiating to take over as manager

--for funsies



How it ended:

 

yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
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ok- coach wise- I was not a fan of Hefner but the other guys- they were good. So- Stearns does what any smart person trying to find a way to hang on for as long as possible- they keep someone- Mendoza, who is his shield.

Yes, Mendoza is in over his head and this team, does not even care enough to play fundamentals. Love them or hate them, Pete, Nimmo, McNeil and even Lindor(who Stearns would get rid of if he could- but...hmmmmm Lindor is also a good scapegoat for him too. Go figure- he is the reason he had to get rid of everyone else.

Right now- Cohen has to act like the Hedge Fund guy he is- cut the f-ing head off. Put Beltran in place as Interim manager. Find a very solid baseball guy to be an interim GM and get rid of the deadweight. Spend major money next year and let the FA's know- they do not have the worst GM in baseball leading this team.
 
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Doctor Worm

Heisman
Feb 7, 2002
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What pisses me off is just how selfish a player like Soto is- why does he have to feel the need to continue hitting, hitting for power, hustle on the bases when the rest of his teammates just don't want to be there- I think that is selfish and just trying to show them up - I can see why Stearns never wanted him...
For all your criticism of Stearns, I don't think you ever once criticized him for his decision for which IMHO criticism is most warranted.

That being - Stearns' decision to pass on Murakami and sign Polanco instead. This despite (or maybe because) he had personally gone to Japan to scout Murakami.
 

yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
122,464
38,208
113
For all your criticism of Stearns, I don't think you ever once criticized him for his decision for which IMHO criticism is most warranted.

That being - Stearns' decision to pass on Murakami and sign Polanco instead. This despite (or maybe because) he had personally gone to Japan to scout Murakami.
The thing is- with Murakami - Stearns was not alone in the decision to pass on him. I almost wonder if the White Sox are the ones who leaked that he couldn't hit fast balls. lol So- in this case- I couldn't get on him too much.

But to justify it with Polanco- that is a classic Stearns move.

Besides the big changes and moves he made that I have been critical about, where he also screwed up in building a roster- was bench players and utility guys. Two of which, most likely would have come here if offered and could have been great moves. That would be Rosario and Marte- those are the type of inexpensive roster moves championship GM's make.

Stearns will eventually make the Manager the scape goat- but he is trying to hang on as long as possible so he can keep a shield in front of him.
 

LeapinLou

All-American
Jul 24, 2001
13,254
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Mets allowed 8 hits, 9 walks, 1 HBP, 1 error. That's 19 base runners. They stranded 17 of them.

Good win (ain't they all), but this is not sustainable.
I remember being 10 years old in 1975. When they would win a game, it was cause for celebration. This team is the same crap, except with $249 million in salary. We won, woo hoo!
 

Doctor Worm

Heisman
Feb 7, 2002
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I remember being 10 years old in 1975. When they would win a game, it was cause for celebration. This team is the same crap, except with $249 million in salary. We won, woo hoo!
You either have your years mixed up, or you really like to celebrate. The 1975 Mets weren't half bad. They had a winning record, albeit barely at 82-80. They were led by NL Cy Young winner Tom Seaver, and by Rusty Staub, whose 105 RBI was 6th in all of MLB. And by manager Yogi Berra, who was such a good Mets manager that they put him on a postage stamp.

It wasn't until 1977 that the team was ripped up and went into a seven year hibernation.
 

LeapinLou

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Jul 24, 2001
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You either have your years mixed up, or you really like to celebrate. The 1975 Mets weren't half bad. They had a winning record, albeit barely at 82-80. They were led by NL Cy Young winner Tom Seaver, and by Rusty Staub, whose 105 RBI was 6th in all of MLB. And by manager Yogi Berra, who was such a good Mets manager that they put him on a postage stamp.

It wasn't until 1977 that the team was ripped up and went into a seven year hibernation.
Yeah, now that you mention it, I was probably 12-13 years old making '77-78 the seasons in question. Thanks.
 

yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
122,464
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You either have your years mixed up, or you really like to celebrate. The 1975 Mets weren't half bad. They had a winning record, albeit barely at 82-80. They were led by NL Cy Young winner Tom Seaver, and by Rusty Staub, whose 105 RBI was 6th in all of MLB. And by manager Yogi Berra, who was such a good Mets manager that they put him on a postage stamp.

It wasn't until 1977 that the team was ripped up and went into a seven year hibernation.
all in and around the 70's- the theme around my house was running outside to tell Dad that either Milner, Staub, Kingman, hit a HR...The exciting plays like Don Hahn and Theordore collision - Felix or Buddy got a hit. lol

And then F@#K Seaver traded????!!!!!! WTF?
 

Zak57

Heisman
Jul 5, 2011
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11,281
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MLBPA first proposal yesterday. MLB proposal today. The floor is higher than I thought but the cap is pretty low.



BREAKING: As expected, MLB proposed a hard salary cap to union officials today as part of the next CBA, sources tell ESPN. The salary floor for teams beginning in 2027 would be set at $171.2 million which includes player benefits with the ceiling at $245.3 million.
 

Doctor Worm

Heisman
Feb 7, 2002
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So, the proposed MLB floor is 70% of the proposed cap. Compared to other sports, that's a pretty wide band. The NFL floor is 89% of the cap. For the NBA it is 90%.

The MLBPA position of course is that there will be no cap. Not now, not ever. Until/unless that changes, the specific numbers are moot.

ICYMI, the MLBPA initial gambit is: "If we must have a competitive balance tax (aka luxury tax) for the overspenders, then we need a "competitive integrity tax" for the underspenders. And we want the minimum salary doubled. Apart from that, we're pretty much good. Oh by the way, no salary cap - not now, not ever."
 

Rhuarc

All-American
Jul 25, 2001
6,506
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So, the proposed MLB floor is 70% of the proposed cap. Compared to other sports, that's a pretty wide band. The NFL floor is 89% of the cap. For the NBA it is 90%.

The MLBPA position of course is that there will be no cap. Not now, not ever. Until/unless that changes, the specific numbers are moot.

ICYMI, the MLBPA initial gambit is: "If we must have a competitive balance tax (aka luxury tax) for the overspenders, then we need a "competitive integrity tax" for the underspenders. And we want the minimum salary doubled. Apart from that, we're pretty much good. Oh by the way, no salary cap - not now, not ever."
If the NBA can go after tanking so hard, MLB should do the same. They should create some kind of formula that includes team payroll, wins and other variables and if you don't reach a certain level, your draft pick slot drops significantly. Getting crappy draft slots would help motivate some of these teams to spend some money I would think.
 

Doctor Worm

Heisman
Feb 7, 2002
30,556
22,449
113
If the NBA can go after tanking so hard, MLB should do the same. They should create some kind of formula that includes team payroll, wins and other variables and if you don't reach a certain level, your draft pick slot drops significantly. Getting crappy draft slots would help motivate some of these teams to spend some money I would think.
All of that benefits the players. The owners aren't going to give it to them unless they get something in return. That something is called a salary cap.
 

willisneverrana43

All-American
Jul 26, 2001
10,988
6,946
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So, the proposed MLB floor is 70% of the proposed cap. Compared to other sports, that's a pretty wide band. The NFL floor is 89% of the cap. For the NBA it is 90%.

The MLBPA position of course is that there will be no cap. Not now, not ever. Until/unless that changes, the specific numbers are moot.

ICYMI, the MLBPA initial gambit is: "If we must have a competitive balance tax (aka luxury tax) for the overspenders, then we need a "competitive integrity tax" for the underspenders. And we want the minimum salary doubled. Apart from that, we're pretty much good. Oh by the way, no salary cap - not now, not ever."
Only major sport without some form of cap. Something will give.
 

Doctor Worm

Heisman
Feb 7, 2002
30,556
22,449
113
Since the 2026 Mets are having a tough year, I decided to amuse myself (and hopefully you too) by taking 10 year lookbacks. That would be 2016, 2006, 1996, 1986, 1976, and 1966. I am old enough to remember them all. We’ll start with 2016. Kinda long, but stay with me.

Looking back at the 2016 season, three things stand out.

1. When the impossible happened.


2. A managerial rant for the ages.


3. Conor f’n Giilaspie!


The 2016 team is one of my favorites. This was a team that was decimated by injuries and had no business making the playoffs. But they did, one of only 11 Met teams to do so. Alas, it was one and done. See #3 above.

No 2016 Mets are currently on the 2026 team. The guy who lasted the longest was Brandon Nimmo, then a seldom used rookie. Other 2016 Mets who are still cashing MLB paychecks are Travis d’Arnaud, Michael Conforto, Steven Matz, Jacob deGrom, and Seth Lugo.

As you will recall, the Mets made the World Series in 2015. However, they didn’t exactly run it back. Then and now, they were into run prevention (although I don’t think they used the term then). Exit Daniel Murphy, a solid player who somehow evolved into MVP caliber. Enter Neil Walker, who was very good, but wasn’t Daniel Murphy. They also brought in Asrubal Cabrera to play short, who became a fan favorite, and had a memorable bat flip down the stretch.

The only major player on the team who didn’t miss significant time was Curtis Granderson. Key guys such as Yoenis Cespedes, David Wright, Lucas Duda, Walker, d’Arnaud, and Cabrera all missed time. Wright only played 37 games and that was it for his career. Conforto caught the sophomore jinx and was sent down.

The backups did their job, more or less. Wilmer Flores filled in all over the infield and hit wherever he played. Guys like Kelly Johnson, TJ Rivera, Rene Rivera, Ty Kelly, Juan Lagares, Alejandro De Aza, and Matt Reynolds all did their part. The Mets acquired Jay Bruce at the deadline, and picked up James Loney and a past-his-prime Jose Reyes from the scrap heap. They somehow held it together.

On the mound, the ace was Noah Syndergaard who went 14-9 2.60 and got Cy Young votes. Bartolo Colon, 20 years Thor’s senior, was a reliable workhorse even when he wasn’t doing the impossible. deGrom was good, but he wasn’t yet deGrom. Matz was solid. Sadly, Matt Harvey was done, although we didn’t know it yet. Logan Verrett was the sixth starter. Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman were brought up at midseason and added a much needed shot in the arm. Zack Wheeler missed the entire season due to injury, we could’ve used him.

The bullpen was a strength. Jeurys Familia was a reliable closer with 51 saves (out of 87 wins!) Addison Reed, Jerry Blevins (who is better than Zeile), and Hansel Robles set him up. The Mets used 22 pitchers in total that year. Ten years later, they used double that.

On August 11, 2016, the Mets were languishing at .500 and Terry Collins launched into his rant. It had no immediate effect as they were still at .500 on August 24. But they went 24-12 down the stretch, and clinched their wild card berth on the next to last day behind a Colon quality start and a Loney HR. They finished the season at 87-75.

Which brings us to October 5, 2016. Giants vs. Mets at Citi Field. Bumgarner vs. Syndergaard. Win or go home.

For an elimination game, the lineup that the Mets threw out there was kind of sad. They started two Riveras, TJ and Rene. Eric Campbell and Ty Kelly were used as pinch hitters. The Mets couldn’t touch MadBum, but neither could the Giants do anything with Thor. 0-0 through eight innings. Giants get two on in the ninth against Familia. Up steps Conor F’n Gillaspie. We shall speak of this no further.

After that fateful night, the Mets went into a five year hibernation, with no playoff appearances and only one winning season. Which brings us to Cohen and the current era.

Thanks for staying with this. Next up is a 20 year retrospective of the 2006 team. We all remember the Beltran called third strike, but there was probably other stuff going on that year too. That is coming up when I get around to it.
 
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RUPete90

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Jul 3, 2025
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all in and around the 70's- the theme around my house was running outside to tell Dad that either Milner, Staub, Kingman, hit a HR...The exciting plays like Don Hahn and Theordore collision - Felix or Buddy got a hit. lol

And then F@#K Seaver traded????!!!!!! WTF?
One of Kingman's best years was with my Cubs in 1979. He even didn't play bad defense in the OF that year (relatively speaking for him). I think he had 48 HR 116 RBI and hit .284 As for Seaver, I remember them breaking into programming on WOR 710 when they traded him. I was in the car with my parents for that news and when they fired Yogi. Both sad days for local fans.
 

yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
122,464
38,208
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One of Kingman's best years was with my Cubs in 1979. He even didn't play bad defense in the OF that year (relatively speaking for him). I think he had 48 HR 116 RBI and hit .284 As for Seaver, I remember them breaking into programming on WOR 710 when they traded him. I was in the car with my parents for that news and when they fired Yogi. Both sad days for local fans.
Firing Yogi still makes no sense. And of course, trading Seaver, f-ing crazy. Even more so in those days. And then how much the team sucked for the next 5 or so years.

I remember so many years where Mazzilli would get our lone AS spot because they had to pick someone.
 

Doctor Worm

Heisman
Feb 7, 2002
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Firing Yogi still makes no sense. And of course, trading Seaver, f-ing crazy. Even more so in those days. And then how much the team sucked for the next 5 or so years.

I remember so many years where Mazzilli would get our lone AS spot because they had to pick someone.
Memory can be tricky. Mazzilli only made one all star team, in 1979.

Your point is well taken though. The Mets were in hibernation for seven years, 1977 to 1983. 1984 was fun though, thanks to a veteran named Keith Hernandez and a rookie named Dwight Gooden.

During that dark seven year period, the Mets default all star was not Lee Mazzilli. It was John Stearns, who made it four times.
 
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Apr 8, 2002
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Why are players like Semien still on the team? I know Doc thinks guys will play to the numbers on the back of the card, but sometimes it doesn't happen. This might be one of those years where several guys play well below the back of the card. We are two months into the season. What you see isn't a fluke.
 

BigEastPhil

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Nov 25, 2007
19,249
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Why are players like Semien still on the team? I know Doc thinks guys will play to the numbers on the back of the card, but sometimes it doesn't happen. This might be one of those years where several guys play well below the back of the card. We are two months into the season. What you see isn't a fluke.
Would have preferred to have seen Mauricio play 2b if he wasn’t hurt.

Hopefully it’s the case when Mauricio returns

Semien is washed up as everyone knew.
 
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Jan 10, 2026
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Mj
Major League Baseball Sport GIF by New York Mets
 

Doctor Worm

Heisman
Feb 7, 2002
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Why are players like Semien still on the team? I know Doc thinks guys will play to the numbers on the back of the card, but sometimes it doesn't happen. This might be one of those years where several guys play well below the back of the card. We are two months into the season. What you see isn't a fluke.
When you quote me like that, it makes me feel like I am some sort of baseball authority. I am not. Trust me on that one.

It is true that I do generally believe in reversion to the mean. I fully believe that Bichette will bounce back. But there are exceptions. Semien may well be done. This will probably turn out to be a very bad trade. (I say probably because you never know.)

Why is Semien still on the team? C'mon man, he's 56 games into a three year guaranteed contract. He's not going anywhere anytime soon.

IMO the better question is why is he playing regularly. The answer is that right now there are no other options. That will change when Lindor returns.

I continue to believe that Stearns made the Nimmo/Semien trade under the assumption that he would sign Kyle Tucker. As the old saying goes, you know what happens when you assume things.
 

Doctor Worm

Heisman
Feb 7, 2002
30,556
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Mets optioning Tobias Myers. Will bring up a fresh arm but we don't know who yet. Problem is, Syracuse doesn't have any fresh arms either. They used seven pitchers last night and five the night before.

Congratulations to Austin Warren.With his consistent good performances, he seems to have made it safely through the revolving door. For now.
 
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