Tidbit 1 - If you are on twitter and someone has breaking CORREA news or any news for that matter, maybe check their followers first. If they are under 3,000 most likely it's not a great source. Sources like “his friend” “his carpenter” and “his limo driver," usually aren’t great sources. Handles like “Mlb source” “scoops“ and “Trust me” are red flags. And of course great sources are often used to negotiate, so basically don’t trust anyone, but me. Good luck.
Tidbit 2 - New Met Tim Locastro is a fast man. He can man all outfield spots and steal bases in big spots. He can’t hit, almost at all. He’s the new Jankowski/ Gore (on a minor league deal).
Tidbit 3 - By now we all know this but it bears repeating before entering spring training. The Mets have been very protective of high end prospects. Ethos seems to be: pay vets high AAV, less years to protect the kids, and give them time to develop. Soooo before you start mocking trades remember it’s very unlikely guys like Mauricio/ Baty/ Perada/ Williams and the untouchable Alvarez are traded anywhere, even if Ohtani is the mark. If you don’t trust me, good, it means you’ve read tidbit number 1.
Tidbit 4 - But if the mets do sign Correa, where do Baty and Mauricio fit? Great question me. Baty wasn’t a sure glove at 3b anyhow so being moved off the hot corner may not be a bad thing. Can he hack it in LF? He was adequate in about 20 games in the minors but that’s obviously a small sample. Mauricio’s size might’ve pushed him off ss regardless of Lindor’s addition, but where to? Second base would be interesting because McNeil could always end up in the outfield in time, and it gives them coverage when his contract is up, but again Mauricio’s size may be an issue. It will be interesting to watch what positions each of them play this year to give us an idea of how they see their respective futures. If EVER there was a case for trading them, position blocking may be it, but there's always DH.
Tidbit 5 - The mets starting rotation is Verlander/ Max/ Sengha/ Quintana/ Cookie. This was mainly a reminder to myself, because it’s a massive and impressive overhaul after losing Jake/ Bassitt and Walker.
Tidbit 6 - Jake wrote a thank you message to fans, he was a great Met, he was uncomfortable in New York and took more money and years for himself and his family. Enough now.
Tidbit 7 - Mets pen is everything Met fans wanted it to be after the deadline last year. The Backend is Smith, Raley, Robertson, Otto and Diaz. Relievers are fickle but that’s a lot of options.
Tidbit 8 - Trading a high end prospect for a reliever is still bad process.
Tidbit 9 - If you still use the phrase “this is no different then Wilpon” you have been lobotomized (no offense to labotomies).
Tidbit 10 - Starling Marte isn’t playing in WBC due to the Mets cautious approach. Should it affect the season? Probably not, but it’s just a reminder, despite the Mets impressive work on paper this team is still old and will rely on all of its depth in a marathon season.
Tidbit 11 - If Ruff is still a Met when the season starts at some point he will win fans heart with a walk-off home run. They will immediately turn on him again when he goes 0 for his next 20.
Tidbit 12 - In the unlikely event that this team goes off the rails be sure we will see the headline “the worst team money could by.” In the event that the Mets win it all be sure we will see the headline “The Mets bought a championship.”
Tidbit 13 - Tidbits are fun, and now back to your regularly scheduled Correa watch.
I can live with “ the Mets bought a championship.” The Yanks bought several, and their fans loved it.
ReplyDeleteI don’t know,something just doesn’t seem right about it.
ReplyDeleteI like the Tidbit approach
ReplyDeleteHas the makings of an on-going approach
I prefer the Braves approach. Develop, play and sign your top prospects.
ReplyDeleteCarlos Correa basically re-signed with his Twins team.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't just buying a great team here with these current NY Mets. Prior Mets management drafted and built very impressive younger player rosters for down on the Farm. From many comes a few and for this current 2023 NY Mets edition, they have actually four homegrowns in: CF Nimmo, 1B Alonso, 2B McNeil, and C Nido in a tandem catching situation with newcomer Omar Narvaez who was an All-Star not so long ago actually. At least until newer homegrowns in Francisco Alvares and Kevin Parada are ready for their MLB arrivals.
That makes four out of nine positions on this 2023 Mets starting lineup all homegrowns. And quite possibly too, the DH batter could change as well. Maybe a second new kid on the block would be a very interesting thing to see come to fruition. That would make five out of nine. Excellente Muchachos!
Call it what you want to Bubba, but this is how a really wise team "re-stocks the fish pond" annually in the major leagues, and at each MiLB level throughout. It can become an artform.
Equally important is trying to maintain your team's "prior wave" of talent, leading hopefully to a shot at building the brass ring dynasty. Cigars all around! Rare these days, true. But woe.
When I recently saw (today) that the NY Mets did not take the "fibula experiment" with Carlos "Chic" Correa, I was actually quite relieved. It's just a tricky bone break to have, and there really does not seem to be a way to project it out down the road.
So Steve C.: I salute you sir.
Third base is not really a problem when a team has such a very, very talented trio of younger players in Brett Baty, Ronnie Mauricio, and Mark Vientos chomping at the bit. It wasn't a problem in 2022 either.
It all comes down to Spring Training, just like the good ole' days. Hurray. Hurray. The best man wins it. Man, I love this sort of competition in Spring Training. Hungry players vying for this one prize.
Quick Thought: What about the great Mets captain and third baseman David Wright tackling this assignment? Bet you he could!