OT: Mets 2026 Season Thread

[BigEastPhil]

They don't make 'em like Ron Hunt anymore. His claim to fame was that for seven consecutive years, he led the majors in hit by pitch. One year he had 50 HBP! Fifty! That's like one every three games. Probably never charged the mound either. This was before batters stepped into the box wearing body armor.

He wouldn't make it in today's game though. Not enough pop. Only 39 HR's in 12 years.

Always remembered him as a Montreal Expo. I was too young to remember him as a Met !

 

[Doctor Worm]

Clay Holmes to begin rehab assignment tonight in Brooklyn. Various MLB scouts will be in attendance. However, according to SNY the Mets are NOT looking to trade him, at least that is not Plan A. Plan A is to sign him to an extension, which he reportedly is amenable to doing. That would support the view that this is not a full rebuild, and that the Mets plan to contend in 2027.

 

[yesrutgers01]

I think you are WAY off base here. You are conflating Alonso and Lindor, and their stories are very different.

First of all, you refer to Alonso's 2024 heroics. What heroics? Alonso had the worst year of his career in 2024, and was generally perceived to be on the decline. He had one heroic at bat in Milwaukee for which he will forever be remembered. Good execs don't have their opinion swayed by one at bat. Stearns was fully willing to let Alonso walk after 2024. We all agree on that.

So why didn't he? It had nothing to do with heroics. It had everything to do with NOBODY ELSE WANTED HIM. At least not on his terms. Boras and Alonso had to return hat in hand to Stearns, and sign what was in essence a one year contract. He then surprised the league with a big bounceback year, and convinced at least one team (maybe there were others, I don't know) to give him the long term deal he coveted.

Lindor's situation is simpler The Mets (pre-Stearns) gave Lindor a lifetime contract. Lindor is the Mets SS for the forseeable future. Eventually they will move him off SS. And probably someday, when most of his contract has been paid off, they will move him off the team. But that day isn't happening anytime soon. His contract makes him essentially untradeable.

According to certain rumors, of which I am very skeptical, Lindor forced Alonso, Nimmo, and McNeil out. If true (which I doubt) why would the Mets force Lindor out? That is, even if they could, which they can't.

Not that far off- yes, Pete had an off year in 2024...To his standards. Could you imagine the horror of having a 1B only on pace for 34 HR 88 RBI now.

But again- let's talk a little about that following off season- yes, Like so many ball players- they trust in Boras. And Pete's agent did screw him over pre Boras. Anyway- Stearns was on his wagon to just drive a homegrown hero out of town with no real plan.
So- the "club" stance was very public- on the decline, too much money for too long. But, after all said and done- Cohen put his foot down and brought him back. Yes, we all know Stearns was ready to let him walk- because he is so brilliant. Not sure who was going to play 1B though, but as we see- Stearns has no clue how to field a team...Anyway- we now have Pete, Lindor and Soto. And start hot- we pretty much crush all attendance expectations and all 3 have great years. And yes- Heroics do matter to fans.

2025- there is a single fact - the season was not lost because of any of Alonso, Lindor, Soto, Nimmo, Diaz.

Except for Soto- who Stearns didn't want- the other 3 predate Stearns. And Stearns is very Ash like. If you were here before him- he will do anything possible to try to get rid of you. The fake run prevention, the clubhouse rumors about Pete, McNeil, Nimmo vs Lindor. And now- the Lindor vs Soto...

The thing with Pete- while it is true that the market did not open wide for him...but his value to the Met's was much more than even the on field performance. But Stearns has no clue how to figure these things out on paper. He is a fantasy league GM.

Anyway- Pete is gone, so is Nimmo and Diaz...trust the plan.

The plan sucks- If anyone can tell me how Stearns plan to make the Met's better with these moves makes any sense...And now- watch him give up his big moves in the trade deadline for lessor talent then he gave up and I also bet that Stearns picks up parts of the salaries he sends off again.

I also think that Pete is showing that he really isn't in decline. He is what he is- 35-40 HR 100+ RBI. Great clubhouse guy and fans love him. And even if his numbers slip a little in year 4/5 - what is that going to be- drop down to 30HR and 90 RBI?

And Stearns still just doenst know how to build a team, much less a winner. Starting pitching should always be number 1. Another thing that is kind of important- have enough players available to fill every position on the field.

 

[MadRU]