First things
first. Congratulations to Carlos Beltran on his induction into the Baseball
Hall of Fame. It is well deserved and past due. Beltran will enter the Hall as
the third member wearing a Mets cap, joining Tom Seaver and Mike Piazza. Carlos
was a magnificent Met and played the game with grace and intensity. I believe
this past Mets manager will be the next Mets manager, perhaps as soon as next
year, The Mets will probably have as strong 2026 season despite the uninspired
managing of Mendoza. There is precedent for replacing winning managers, just
look at what’s happening in the NFL.
As many of
you know I am as strong advocate of building a winning team from within. Having
a strong farm system gives the team a lot of flexibility in deciding who to
keep and who to trade to fill in gaps. David Stearns has the tools at his
disposal to make the moves necessary to improve the team either through
internal development or trades as witnessed by acquiring Freddy Peralta at the
cost of Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat. Williams became expendable with the
growth of A.J. Ewing.
A week ago,
a number of contributors to this site suggested the Mets would have trouble
winning as many as 80 games. What a difference a week makes. We have now gone
from the least to the Beasts of the East and are now ranked among the top five
teams in MLB. David Stearns is now being certified as a genius. Time will tell.
I will say
that I have been bewitched, bothered and bewildered at times. I did not
understand the pursuit of Kyle Tucker, especially at his price. Glad he went
elsewhere. It is well documented that the Mets have recognized the need to
improve their defense. Yet they acquired Bo Bichette to play third base despite
the fact he has never played that position and Jorge Polanco as a first baseman
with no prior experience. Our new left fielder could be Brett Baty. Or maybe
I’ve got things all mixed up and Baty is at third and Bichette is in left. Or
why not Baty at first and Polanco at DH. I think it’s going to be an
interesting spring training. Still to be determined is the fate of Mark Vientos
and Ronny Maurcio. Mark seems to be the favorite to be the DH with Maurcio
slated to start the season as Syracuse, if not traded. Perhaps, Carson Benge is
ready sooner than later or is allowed to mature at AAA.
With the
addition of Peralta, the starting pitching staff looks solid. Nolan McLean
looks like a future ace and Holmes, Senga and Peterson form what has the
potential to be one of the best staffs in baseball. The pen will always be a
concern. A lot depends on whether our starters can provide length and depth.
This is where Mendoza comes in. Will he remain as Captain Hook or will he allow
his starters to pitch deeper in games?
I love the addition of Bo Bichette and his strong right-hand
bat to protect Soto in the lineup. I’m not a fan of Luis Roberts although his
defense is outstanding. Hopefully, his bat rebounds to what it was three years
ago. At worst, he is a placeholder until Ewing is ready to step up. The Mets
have enough talent to be one of the top offensive teams, assuming the core
stays healthy.
Sometimes, I think I’m the only one who believes Brett Baty will
be a future star. I hope he is not traded.
Ray
January 24, 2026
20 comments:
God bless you Ray, and you are the only one, LOL! If you don’t want Polanco at first base because he never played it before, how do you justify putting Baty there? I like Baty’s swing, but hate the hole at the bottom of his strike zone. Plus, he looks clumsy at third base while better at second base.
Me?
I don't worry about Bichette at third. He will kick the ball around there just as much as he has kicked it around on his old position.
Bichette being on base all the time will quickly make us to forget his errors
Polanco will be replaced by Ryan Clifford around August
Benge will be in left around July
Both Tong and Wenninger will be in the Mets rotation around August 1st
Beltran will be the 2027 Mets manager
I like everything you wrote.
Hey Ray, while I'm not quite sure about becoming a star, I truly believe that he will be a solid everyday player, still with a decent upside.
Right now, he is one of the most important guys on the team. We need his left handed bat in the lineup or we will be to right handed.
When I say important its because you can expect Semien and Bichette to miss some time. Also, if Bichette leaves after this year, we would be looking for a 3B next year.
To start, I would give him a shot at 1B, may the better man win the position. The loser goes to DH. I can see him spending time in LF/1B/2B/3B.
Mack, you're on fire with those comments. Love them, spot on.
Especially about Beltran.
and, per insider sources, Wenninger is in line to be the first prospect to enter the 2026 rotation. Even ahead of Tong.
Wow! Wenninger over Tong. Who would have guessed?
The 2026 Mets pitching staff will not rank among the best in baseball. Over time with the addition and maturity of some of these young studs like McLean, Tong, Wenninger, and others they will evolve to the top. Holmes, Senga, and Peterson will need to be replaced by mid-season as at least two of them will go down with injury.
Wenninger and Lambert consistently hitting 100 in camp
And...
Manaea needs to be traded for a cup of spit... with the Mets paying 75% of existing contract. And the spit.
Very exciting to enter the season with so much firepower, flexibility, reserve insurance & structure. Can’t wait for ST.
When a team has strength & capacity across the three pillars of roster construction: player development, tradable assets & free agency - that represents true power.
As of today, the Mets have all three at high capacity levels.
I will contribute some spit, Mack.
I personally do not see Clifford replacing Polanco this year. I also think Jack Reimer is a better hitter long-term than Clifford. You might see Reimer get called up toward the end of the year first. But replacing Polaco? I can’t see it late in the season if he’s doing OK, because the replacements would have to be better…few guys come right up and hit major league pitching well. There’s always an adjustment, unless your name is the unheralded, Carlos Cortez, who tore it up for the A’s in his debut last year…you don’t try to allow them to make that adjustment during a pennant race. Unless you want to miss the pennant.
And of course Ray is as incisive and astute in 2026 as he was in 1926, and I expect him to be just as sharp in 2126. Lol.
I think that Ray should change his headline from SAVAGE to A RAY OF SUNSHINE. Because his articles are always a ray of sunshine.
Ha, ha, ha. Except when he rages about Mendoza..
Last year Tong was basically a two-pitch pitcher. That was part of his problem when called up last year. He needs to develop his secondary pitches more. As Angry Mike pointed out earlier this month, Wenninger is progressing quite well with all his pitches.
Gotta keep Baty IMO. I believe that his 50 percent outcome is last year’s batting line but more evenly distributed (750 OPS). I think his 75 percent outcome would push an 800 OPS and his 90 plus percent outcome can be an 850 OPS with all-star years at times.
His defensive value and versatility have been really solid. I also think we need have him for 2027 after Bo likely opts out. We dont really have anyone else near mlb reader for 3rd other than reimer who i see as our 1B of the future… not convinced clifford is our guy.
Hey Ray
Kevin Kernan liked this post
True. I take more naps these days. Joining a group called the Men Dozers.
The Mets had the 18th ranked ERA in 2025. If they get to #10, I will be happy.
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