Mets mailbag
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6701964/2025/10/09/mets-mailbag-center-field-upgrade/
Can we officially declare the Brandon
Nimmo launch-angle-first approach a bust? — Tom L.
Tim: I see this complaint from readers a lot, and it has
the causation/correlation incorrect, creating a false binary between the
real-life version of Nimmo and one that would still be running a .400 on-base
percentage had he made no adjustments to his approach.
Nimmo started altering his approach after the 2022
season, when his on-base percentage had already fallen off 30-plus points from
that level. Focusing more on extra-base power was his reaction to that drop-off
and the general increase in pitching quality, not the primary driver of that
drop-off.
Now, I hear your next point, which is that Nimmo’s OBP
has fallen off another 30-plus points in the two years since, while his
slugging percentage in 2025 remains about the same as it had been in 2021 and
2022 (albeit more driven by home runs than doubles). And that’s probably age:
Most research shows hitters first show decline in their age-31 season, as Nimmo
did during his second-half slump in 2024.
Basically, what’s different is that Nimmo’s decline has
come more with his OBP rather than his SLG, as it often does for other hitters.
SNY @SNYtv
The last
10 major league professional sports teams in the New York metropolitan area to
take home a championship
Mack – every Mets fan knows their team didn’t make this list
Just
Baseball @JustBB_Media
Free
agency land mines and the team most likely to step on them
https://fansided.com/mlb/free-agency-land-mines-and-the-team-most-likely-to-step-on-them
1B/3B Munetaka Murakami
Victim:
New York Mets
Murakami
is set to be posted this winter, and he comes to the States with quite the
track record of power production in Japan: Since breaking in with the NPB's
Yakult Swallows back in 2018, Munetaka has hit 246 homers in 892 games —
including a whopping 56 in 2022 alone. In a market thin on power and even
thinner on infielders beyond Alonso, Bo Bichette and Alex Bregman, that's
awfully enticing, and he figures to have several suitors. In fact, Mets
president David Stearns crossed the Pacific to scout the slugger back in
August, in attendance at a game in which Murakami hit a walk-off homer.
If the
Mets balk at Alonso's price tag (an outcome that seems increasingly likely),
they could pivot to Murakami as they look to rebuild an offense that got way
too top-heavy at times in 2025. But they should tread very carefully, because
while his raw power isn't in question, his ability to access it in games
against big-league pitching still is. Murakami has also struck out 977 times in
Japan, raising swing-and-miss concerns against tougher competition.
He's also
destined for first base defensively, and even then he might struggle with the
glove. There's huge variance here: If Murakami makes enough contact, he'll
become a 30-homer hitter at least; if he can't, though, he'll be virtually
unplayable.
Munetaka Murakami
If Alonso
does hit the open market, the Mets could have a major target in mind. Munetaka Murakami is expected to draw big interest
despite never playing in an MLB game.
“There is
going to be big interest in Murakami, 26, and teams will be lining up for the
chance to sign a player with outstanding power. Yes, there are questions – like
how will he adjust to major-league pitching – but he’s going to do very well in
free agency. And I expect many big market teams to be involved with the
Japanese infielder expected to be posted after hitting 265 home runs in eight
seasons. Best fit: New York Mets,” FanSided’s Robert Murray wrote.
Murakami’s
contract is projected to be massive, likely in the $200 million range.
“Contract
Prediction: 10 years, $220 million. Yoshinobu Yamamoto landed a massive 12-year, $325 million contract from the
Dodgers due in large part to his age and the fact that he was not restricted by
international signing limitations due to his professional experience. Murakami
checks the same two boxes, and while he won't match that payday, a $200 million
contract is well within reach,” Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter wrote.
If the
Mets land Murakami, it would be a major pickup. His powerful bat could fill the
offensive void left behind if Alonso departs in free agency.
The Mets
are expected to explore every option to find the right Alonso replacement.
Murakami’s track record and upside make him a strong candidate to be the team’s
future at first base.
Mets
Prospect Group @bkfan09
MPG EXCLUSIVE - Mets have added 18 yr old RHP Arnaldo Tejeda listed
at 6’3 190lbs
CC Sabathia Says the
Mets are Closer to a World Series than the Yankees
On the latest episode of Network with Rich Kleiman, MLB
Hall of Famer CC Sabathia assessed the New York Mets' upcoming offseason,
following missing the playoffs with a $342 million payroll, and said that with
stars like Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Brandon
Nimmo, and ideally with re-signing Pete
Alonso, that their roster is closer to competing for a World Series
title than the crosstown rival Yankees.
"They have the pitching, they have the young guys,
and those three stars are gonna show up," Sabathia said. "Soto went
damn near 40-40 [43 home runs and 38 stolen bases], which is incredible after
everybody talked about how slow of a start he got off to, how he wasn't going
to hit at Citi Field. He hit 40 bombs. And Lindor's Lindor."
Aside from bringing Alonso back, Sabathia said the Mets'
biggest offseason priority was to bring in veteran starting pitchers to teach
and complement talented rotation youngsters Jonah
Tong, 22, Nolan McLean, 23, and Brandon Sproat, 24.
"You can't expect those guys to be four, five starts
into their big league career and have them go out and try to pitch in the
playoff race," Sabathia said. "They kinda got set up for failure, to
be honest, but you need to get some older starters in there to teach those guys
how to be pros, teach those guys how to pitch a big league season, and make 30
starts a year. I think everything is set up for the Mets to be good if they can
adjust the pitching."
Framber Valdez
Fansided's
Robert Murray came out with his list of top free
agents and where they might land. Here, he listed Framber Valdez as being one of the best fits for the Mets.
"Valdez's
track record speaks for itself, in eight seasons with Houston, the left-hander
has a 3.36 ERA in 1080.2 innings while recording 1053 strikeouts. In 2025, he
posted a 3.66 ERA in 31 starts with 187 strikeouts. Many teams will be involved
in Valdez's free agency, though they will all surely ask about the incident
where he crossed up his catcher and showed zero remorse."
Valdez has
been exceptional across eight seasons in Houston, with the only damper coming
recently when he crossed up his catcher and did not seem to care. However, that
should not be a reason for the Mets front office to be cautious.
Jim
Koenigsberger @Jimfrombaseball
One day Gates Brown wasn't in the Tigers starting lineup, so he grabbed two hot dogs from
the clubhouse.
Manager Mayo Smith told him to pinch hit.
He stuffed
the hot dogs in his jersey to hide them from his manager.
"I
always wanted to get a hit every time I went to the plate. This was one time I
didn't want to get a hit. I'll be damned if I didn't smack one in the gap and I
had to slide into second-head first, no less. I was safe at second with a
double.
But when I
stoop up, I had mustard and ketchup and smashed hot dogs and buns all over me.
The fielders took one look at me, turned their backs and damned near busted a
gut laughing at me.
My
teammates in the dugout went crazy."
Gates
Brown was then fined $100 and when Mgr. Smith asked him what he was doing, the
hitter came clean:
"I
said, 'I was hungry. Besides, where else can you eat a hot dog and have the
best seat in the house?'"
15 comments:
I wonder how many years and dollars Bellinger will get because I’d rather have him than the Japanese star. Because we know he can play defense at first base and in centerfield and the kid hit major league pitching
One job i don’t want is David Stearns’ job. I wouldn’t sleep a wink and I would die quickly from the stress.
Again, I did an article on overfamiliarity leading to excess criticism. If Brandon Nimmo hit 25 and drove in 91 for another team, and the Mets were thinking of acquiring him, some would be excited. But because he is already a Met…he had a good, if streaky year, and look at any good player over time. Some years are better than others. If this was a down year, 25 & 91 ain’t bad.
Beloved former Met Eddie Kranepool peaked at 58 RBIs. Brandon is fine with me.
Funny Gates Brown story. He would not exist in today’s game.
I agree 100% with Sabathia on our young trio of pitchers. They will be awesome in 2026.
What Valdez did was purposely bully a young catcher. No way does he do that to a different guy. I’m not sure I forgive that and quite honestly, I don’t think he is of ace quality. His ERA was 4.70 on the road, for whatever reason, and his second half ERA was 5.20. I’m not interested. I’d rather get Quintana than a more expensive version of him, that will only be 32 next year, will obviously blame others for his failures.
My first choice is also Bellinger
Nah
You'd be awesome 👌
Agree but where Ewing play in 2027?
Too much joking around and hot dogging
I believe that if you’re going to commit to bringing a guy into your clubhouse for years, you have to trust the person as well as the player. I agree with you Gus. Pass on Valdez.
Gus/Adam
OK
I 3rd the motion
Don't see the Mets going for Murakami. Price too high relative to uncertainty. More likely to go for Naylor at first, pursue a center fielder like Bellinger, but need a right handed power bat. They would then have 3 left handed outfielders; another option is to move Soto or Nimmo to 1st and look for right handed hitting outfielder on shorter term deal. I think Mets save their prospects for trade for pitchers. I look for two trades for high level pitchers. 2 of these three: Peralta, Alacantra, Skubak. So I think we will see McNeil and Vientos in trades along with younger better athletes in major trades. No idea who. I think Beatty moves to second base. Acuna stays as utility infielder. I think there is a decent chance Alvarez gets traded as Torrens is ok hitter and significantly better defensive catcher and within two years current catchers in the farm system become available. I'm a pass on Valdez. also on Cease, too high walk rate. No free agent pitchers excite. I see Sproat in bullpen to start his career. Tong going in a trade (not a viable bullpen piece). I see Wenninger as a potential back of rotation in near future. will start out at Syracuse. The puzzle piece for me is Mauricio, who is really just a left handed hitter, with terrible plate discipline and patience. (see my remarks on players drafted young in previous regime and starred because of their skill set relative to early competition, and were not adequately taught hitting fundamentals but could mash based on skill set v. inferior competition. A problem for Vientos as well). I like the combination of Bellinger and Naylor as they add defense and lengthen the lineup, but we would really need a right handed power bat in the lineup, and 3rd base is the natural spot. I don't think Alonso is the answer at 1st base since he will receive a contract longer than the Mets will be willing to provide. You have to see if you look in the minors that the Mets are drafting athletes with speed and capacity to play multi positions. Vientos and Alvarez are NOT power hitting righties. No pitcher will throw Vientos a fastball and he and Alvarez remain capable only of hitting mistakes at this point. I trust Stearns overall. He has a plan, and like everyone else he has made mistakes and occasionally was overenthusiastic about his own ability to find diamonds in the rough, e.g.Montas, and his CF choices.
And the pipeline is rich in prospects
Nimmo and Soto and Benge, Morabito, Ewing, possibly Williams. Not a bad problem to have.
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