Newsday reports that the Mets are in the hunt for Japanese superstar SP/Slugger Shonei Ohtani.
The New York Post said that the Mets are interested in signing free agent 1B Carlos Santana.
The Mets are reportedly working on a contract extension for SP Jacob deGrom.
The New York Mets' VP, John Ricco, said that Astrubel Cabrera will be used as a third baseman, not a second baseman.
Newsday also said that the Mets are 'ramping up' (gee... didn't I say that in my exclusive 'Sources' post earler this week?) and are looking into adding a reliever, like Joe Smith, Bryan Shaw, or Boone Logan.
I don't know if the information I passed on to all of you earlier this week will pan out. The source was solid and deep within the organization.
What I do know it is nice to wake up and see all this Mets information about possible signings that could happen in the next week or two.
This does not look like a team about to cut back on payroll or give up 2018 as a rebuilding year.
Nice to see what appears to be a willingness to spend more than initially anticipated. Significant smart spending WILL allow this team to compete - and ring the register with increased fan traffic.
ReplyDeleteJake finally figured it out - all he had to do was get a haircut and he'd get his extension. You listening, Thor? :)
I'd like to be positive about this and think some of these deals will work out because after last year the bar is set really low so we can only go up from here so here's hoping.
ReplyDeleteYeah Thomas I'm over the long hair nonsense and the long beard thing too. The Yanks have the right idea when it comes to grooming with players and it kind of makes you wonder whats crawling around it that thing :)
ReplyDeleteGary, if Justin Turner wants to bring his crazy beard back to the Mets, I'd be OK with it - who knows for Turner if that is part of what stokes his game.
ReplyDeleteSure, the Mets will be “all in” on Ohtani. With $150K left to use when other teams have more than 20x that, it sure makes for nice headlines. Is that why they didn’t even go to his workout during the summer?
ReplyDeleteAdmittedly very cynical about anything that combines the Coupons and spending money, I have a hard time believing that after a summer that saw them sell off all their spare parts without giving any salary relief to get a better prospect, now they’ll spend on a big free agent acquisition.
I've been after a Joe Smith reunion for many years. Freaky deliveries can be very effective. Maybe Callaway can talk him into a return to Queens.
ReplyDeleteAndy Martino just had a Q&A quick video chat and he confirmed that the Mets are indeed players in the Otani hunt and do, of course have a great relationship with his agents. When I posited about this in my "wish list" post last week, I wanted it to happen but truly never thought we'd end up having a shot. It's still too early to say if we are truly going to be players in this hunt or if it's merely lip service, but one can only hope that it's at least a true pursuit...
ReplyDeleteDavid -
ReplyDeletewith all due respect, Martino is one of the true a-holes in sports reporting... not Mets... all of sports
Agreed- he is a PR tool of the team- but the fact that he acknowledged it meant that the team wanted the info out there!
ReplyDeleteHere are the mets selling point to Ohtani:
ReplyDeleteWe can offer you the same amount of money give or take as everyone else
Biggest market in the country (ancilary revenue opp)
large japanese community in nyc
Dont have to compete with any other japanese pitchers on your team or need to share spotlight
You get to hit when you pitch (nl) forever
year 1, we have at bats for you given our outfield and 1b options and if you can do both that should continue
You could make us the best pitching staff in baseball
plus orange and blue are flattering colors
I dont believe he's going to have the same success hitting as pitching for whatever team signs him and the experiment will only last one year. so if he goes AL he wont get to hit after the first year.