ANGRY MIKE
PETE ALONSO era is over <-> A+
Alonso had a great career for the Mets, and I’m glad he was able to end it on a high note statistically, but his days were numbered ever since he rejected the 7-year extension offered to him during the 2023 extension. There was no amount of fanfare or media pressure that would’ve convinced Cohen to change his mind, and I whole-heartedly believe it was the right decision.
Allocating $30+ Million to a first baseman who never exhibited the skillset of being an elite well-rounded hitter like Vlad Guerrero Jr or Freddie Freeman would have crippled the franchise financially. We all know why it was the right decision to let him move on, no sense continuing to harp on his shortcomings.
It was a tough decision but the right decision, which is why I gave it an A+. It takes guts to ignore all the vile rhetoric being spewed on social media, and it proves Cohen wants to win and will do whatever it takes to end the drought and bring a World Series Title back to Queens, including making the decisions many people might hate.
Selling high on BRANDON NIMMO <-> B -
2012 the Mets shocked the world by trading reigning Cy Young Award Winner to the Bluejays, it was a power move to sell high on Dickey, and they got two great prospects for a knuckle-baller in his mid-30s. If not for Jeurys Familia imploding during the 2015 World Series, those two top prospects would’ve helped the Mets win a World Series.
Point being, sometimes you have to sell high on a player, even when it feels premature. Nimmo was coming off his best offensive season, the opportunity to trade him this off-season was there, and the Mets were smart to capitalize on it. I’d have also given this an A+, but the return we got for Nimmo didn’t really make much sense. I’m choosing to believe Semien was instrumental in helping us recruit Bo Bichette.
DEVIN WILLIAMS <-> A+
Devin Williams is an absolute BEAST and prior to last season was arguably the best Closer in the MLB, despite giving up the homer to Alonso during the 2024 playoffs. We’ve already shown in a previous article, if it wasn’t for a rough stretch that spanned across 8-9 outings, his numbers in 2025 were on par with Diaz’ phenomenal season.
Williams also signed with a “team-first” attitude, clearly stating in his introductory press conference he was brought in to pitch in front of Edwin Diaz, which would’ve gave the Mets arguably the best 1-2 punch in the MLB.
LUKE WEAVER <-> B+
Weaver has been one of the most versatile members of the Yankees’ bullpen for the last couple years, and similar to Williams, his 2025 numbers look pedestrian because of a isolated rough stretch of games that might have been caused by returning from the I.L. too quickly. Weaver brings a different element to the Mets bullpen, utilizing a starting pitcher’s repertoire to keep hitters unbalanced. In recent years Mets relievers were primarily two-pitch pitchers, which might’ve contributed to them getting lit up as the season progressed.
Mets needed to bolster the back of their bullpen, and quickly pivoting to Weaver was the right move after Diaz announced he was signing with the Dodgers.
JEFF MCNEIL TRADED <-> A+++++++++++++
McNeil should’ve been traded after his 2022 season, when the Mets had the chance. He brings nothing to the table offensively or defensively, and the only thing he’s improved in recent years is his wide array of temper tantrums on the field. The fact Stearns was able to find a taker and actually acquire someone who is capable of playing baseball professionally is a HOME RUN.
BO BICHETTE <-> A+
Bichette is one of the best all-around hitters in the league, and if it wasn’t for a so-so 2024 season, which was the only year he ever missed time on the I.L., he might’ve received a contract closer to Francisco Lindor’s or Corey Seager’s. He’s an elite offensive talent and his numbers will explode hitting behind Soto, as well as having higher caliber talent providing protection behind him. His defense at third base will be fine, but it will be his offensive skill set that will hopefully position the Mets to compete with the Phillies for the N.L. East Division.
LUIS ROBERT JR <-> B -
Robert is your classic boom or bust investment, why I think his acquisition deserves a B+, is because the Mets were able to acquire him for considerably less than his original asking price throughout the 2025 season. $20 Million is a ton of money to pay for a player that’s made THIRTY trips to the I.L. and could just be Tyrone Taylor with more HR.
Scott Boras has arguably the best resources at his disposal to help his clients resurrect their careers, and if he’s confident Robert’s health issues are behind him and we can expect similar production from Robert like we saw during the second half of the 2025, it’s a low-risk, high-reward gamble the Mets had to take.
TOBIAS MYERS <-> A+
Myers is a great addition to the bullpen and provides a much needed multi-inning RP, who can rack up strikeouts and put zeroes on the board. The fact he has 4 years of control remaining and could possibly have been brought in to help Jonah Tong how to throw his plus-plus splitter, makes his acquisition all the more exciting.
FREDDY PERALTA <-> A+
Stearns saved the best for last, acquiring the established “Ace” the Mets needed for their rotation. Let’s make one thing clear, Peralta IS NOT THE METS BEST STARTING PITCHER, he’s the best combination of experience and high upside. Peralta is the perfect complement to Nolan McLean and he will take a ton of pressure off of McLean and the other members in the rotation.
Peralta didn’t come cheap, but the Mets Farm System has the depth to absorb the loss and Kris Gross is a mad scientist who’ll replace those losses with a higher bonus pool allotment at his disposal in this year’s MLB Draft.
WANDY ASIGEN <-> A++++
Adding a phenom like Asigen, who was widely seen as the #1 talent in this year’s I.F.A. Class is a franchise-altering move. Out of the 7,000-8000 teenage prospects who joined the professional ranks over the last 10+ years, only a handful of them received a 65 HIT TOOL Scouting Grade. The fact Asigen also received 60 scouting grades for power and speed, makes his potential ceiling even more tantalizing.
In 2 years, this could be the most exciting acquisition from this off-season, that’s even if Bichette and Peralta continue agree to suit up for the Mets over a long-term basis. Pairing him with Elian Pena is going to be exciting watch and is straight NIGHTMARE FUEL for opposing MiLB pitchers.
16 comments:
Mike
I wish I could be as positive as you. I'm sort of happy and I can't believe Stearns pulled this one out after the LAD snafu but I reserve judgement on 2026
Mike, I share your optimism on many of these moves. My only wish was Bichette was a few more years, but obviously that rate would be for a player that can do more damage.
As for Nimmo, there weren’t many teams that were drinking the Kool-Aid because as you saw he was coming off his strongest offensive year and had difficulty running, so did they. The only reason the Mets were able to do this trade is that the Rangers were having their own issues with a rift that formed between Seager and Semien, so they needed to do something. Hopefully both teams solved their problems.
As for Alonso, in the seven years since 2023, he will have made $20+$30+$3+$155 for a total of $208. So, rejecting the $156 for seven years worked out for him. I don’t know that he can repeat his 2025 season so easily and it may be his 2024 season the Orioles get. We will see after that.
Sort of agree with you. Hopefully, Semien turns out to be a good place holder.
I am also not quite so optimistic. Although I understood the logic for not overpaying for Alonso, the Mets really don't have a solution at first base. I have reservations about Polanco learning to play that position well enough to improve "run prevention". He was a DH last year, which speaks volumes about his defensive ability.
Alonso definitely made more money rejecting Cohen’s 2023 offer, that’s indisputable. My point is that he facilitated removing himself from the Mets long term plans by rejecting that offer.
Personally, I think that sets a terrible a precedent for future players to reject extension offers, had Cohen caved and given him a higher offer this winter. Especially when you take into consideration it wasn’t exactly a low-ball offer.
I don’t even think Cohen wanted him back for 2025 -> to me it looks like a favor to Boras, and a good ol boy network deal to hopefully help us land Skubal.
That’s my “tinfoil hat theory” lol
That’s why you pay me the big bucks -> inject optimism 🫡
Yes, just realized Polanco was missing.
Your article gets an A+
Polanco will be the best Mets Anco since John Franco
I just want to live long enough to see all this talent succeed as I've waited too long already and I know alot of you are in the same boat. The Wilpon/Madoff disaster cost us over 10 years and dam you Bud Selig for not forcing them to sell.
Thanks Tom 🫡
Agreed I think we’ll see the youngsters perform well this year. It’s their time
Gary, you have no expiration date.
Angry Man Mike, I can’t agree with you more on all aspects of this piece!!!!
We did very good this offseason and it’s still not done yet. I expect another starter signed(hopefully Zac Gallen) to a high one year show me deal.
Then trade from our excess of starters, Peterson or Senga (I wish Manaea, hopefully to bring back Severino) to bring some minor league high upside guy back in return.
Also I see a Baty, Mauricio or Vientos trade coming as well?
I feel Semien will do more than we expect this season offensively. I envision him back to 23-25 home runs at minimum.
Bichette will sign a long term deal half way through the season.
Roberts will play 130 games and bat DH a bit to preserve him and hit 30 homeruns.
Polanco will have a similar year to last year and play an amazing 1st base.
Just bring in Duran from the Bosoxs
Thanks Zozo! If we get anything out of Semien & Robert -> this lineup is going to be nightmare fuel for opposing pitchers.
Not to mention their gold glove defense
100% Angry Mike. I’d give a higher grade on the Nimmo deal - he was impossible to move. Only way it worked was that TX wanted to move Semien. His defense will be great & I bet he hits a little better than last year.
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