SAVAGE VIEWS – CLUBHOUSE CONFIDENTIAL
Every Wednesday, I play golf at the local country club.
On New Year’s Eve, only eight of us chose to
endure the thirty-eight-degree temperature at the 10 AM tee time. I got to share a cart with a chain-smoking
obnoxious fellow who annoyed the crap out of me. Played most of the round in an
angry mood and as a result I was hitting the ball more aggressively than usual.
Wound up with a decent score and my conclusion was that playing with an edge is
not necessarily a bad thing.
It’s
been reported that there was some dissension in the Mets clubhouse during the
2025 season. Specifically, it appears that Lindor and McNeil did not see eye to
eye. The esteemed Paul Blackburn has commented that the Mets clubhouse had a
different vibe in 2025 over 2024. Clearly, McNeil became a scapegoat and was
traded to Oakland. That’s too bad – I loved Jeff’s versatility and the ability
to play multiple positions adequately. Wonder if Brandon Nimmo also did not fit
the clubhouse culture and perhaps that was part of the reason he was moved.
It
has to be a challenge to create a harmonious clubhouse when you assemble a team
made up of players from multiple countries and cultures. Off the top of my head,
players from Japan, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic and the United
States dominate the roster. It’s safe to say that not all the players within
the clubhouse are drinking buddies. Due to language and cultural issues, I’m
sure that several cliques exist. However, history teaches us that a lot of
teams have won despite not having teammates all on the same path.
There
are several holes that need to be filled by opening day assuming neither Benge
nor Williams is ready to contribute immediately. None of us knows enough to
even speculate at this point. No matter who they sign or trade for, being a
cultural fit must be considered. However, as I mentioned above having
dissention in the clubhouse could motivate certain players to reach a higher
standard.
Some contributors to this site believe 2026 will be a transitional year. I disagree. There will be numerous changes before opening day. Expect at least one new starting pitcher plus a new left fielder. It’s not outrageous to expect the returning veterans plus emerging prospects to form a strong nucleus.
My belief
is that if the team can play competitive ball for the first two months, we will
field a strong playoff bound team thereafter with eventual contributions from
players such as Benge, Williams, Tong, etc. This team will win at least 85 games in 2026
as the pitching staff rebounds from last season. We are playoff bound, baby.
Ray
January 3, 2026
6 comments:
Ray and I have shared differences of opinions since we grew up together before the turn of the century. I'm talking the 20th century.
One of our earliest disagreements was whether Walter Johnson would be a great pitcher. I, of course, had it correct. Ray said Christy would quickly return to the cornfields that he had come from.
We next argued who was the best Brooklyn Dodger... I had Gil Hodgers. Ray had Rube Walker. We were both wrong when Sandy Koufax entered the picture, but Gil was much higher on the list than Rube.
We now have different opinions on year 2026. I have it as a full transition year. Ray thinks the Mets are going to pull this season out of their arses and win it all.
Your bets?
Ray, you may be right. Or you may not be. I think we will soon see what David Sterns pulls off, or doesn’t. I personally am hoping that he resigns Omar Quintanilla. Or even Ray Ordonez. Love the defense.
Ray,
If the Mets continue to promote and rely upon their prospects in 2026-2027, I think you will see players who have come up through the minors together play more as a unified team. I certainly hope so.
I agree with Ray.
You would think prospects who came up together would have a bond. Love our future.
Ray, great piece, well said.
While I totally agree with Ray, I have to say you are both right.
How can I say this? It will indeed be a transitional year for us but by getting a pitcher and an outfielder it doesn't change the transitional status.
A Bassett type on a 1 or 2 year contract, with a similar contract to a LF does nothing to stop the growth of the kiddies. If Benge and the others are better when they arrive then you either move these players down the depth chart or trade them or someone else to make room.
Remember guys a 2 year contract is really like a 1 year contract as there probably won't be baseball next year due to the strike.
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