HERE I GO AGAIN!
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL CBA PROPOSAL
The news is that Major League Baseball has extended an initial proposal to the Players Association to include a salary cap with maximums and minimums with revenue sharing. Of course, the players union has rejected the proposal.
It should be mentioned that baseball is the only major sport without a cap. All of the leagues with a salary cap seem to be thriving with the best players being well compensated.
We can all agree that the LA Dodgers are a very well-run team who get the cream of the crop in the free agent market. The amount of money that the Dodgers, Mets and to a limited extent, the Yankees, have available to spend puts all of the other teams at a disadvantage,
It’s a foregone conclusion that Tarik Skubal will either sign with the Dodgers or Yankees as a free agent. No other team can afford his projected salary demands. And when Paul Skenes becomes available at best three or four teams will be in the bidding.
It’s time to restore economic parity and to do away with the unlimited budgets that allow only a handful of teams to go after top talent. It’s also time for teams in weaker markets to be subject to a compensation floor. It would not be surprising if much of the 2027 season is cancelled while negotiations drag on.
YOUNGER AND CHEAPER
I’ve made this suggestion before – the team needs to develop and promote prospects to the major league roster. We have begun to move in that direction. Carlos Benge and AJ Ewing are solid pieces in building a strong foundation. Francisco Alvarez is tantalizing but he has shown himself to be injury prone and seems to have regressed both defensively and offensively. The clock seems to be running out on Brett Baty whose progress is going in the wrong direction.
Mark Vientos may be a player who needs a new location. There is no longer a spot for him on the Mets. Trouble is, there are no prospects ready to make the jump to the majors. The most likely way to fill lineup gaps is probably through trades.
It appears likely that Peralta and Holmes will be trade candidates. Also, we own a group of young arms that might entice other teams to depart with major league ready position prospects. Upgrades are urgently needed at first, second and third and perhaps catcher. Perhaps, we will be successful in convincing the next round of Japanese or Korean free agents to join us.
STEARNS VS MENDOZA
Despite having one of the two top payrolls in MLB, the Mets have underperformed over the past 162 games. There’s a lot of blame to go around. The decision to bring David Stearns on board as President of Baseball operations was largely applauded.
His track record with the Brewers was solid and he was viewed as a rising executive. His record with the Mets has been mixed. I believe the Mets have become a top-notch baseball operation ranging from improved scouting to player development and a more stable front office.
On the other hand, the lack of hitting on the top three minor league teams is a major concern. We seem to have gone from one of the best minor league systems to one of the worst over the past 12 months. Some of the moves made by Stearns were troubling. Acquiring Frankie Montas, trading for Cedrick Mullen and Luis Robert, Jr., signing Jorge Polanco despite his injury history and the list goes on.
Many feel that Carlos Mendoza was dealt a poor hand and should not be held accountable for the shortcomings of the team. However, the team has not responded to his leadership and it would be surprising if he is retained beyond this year. I’m willing to bet that Alex Cora is next in line. After all, he checks several boxes. Track record in major market, speaks Spanish, gets along with the media, etc.
GOING ON HIATUS
It’s time for me to take a break. Writing this post has become a chore given the current state of the team. I really hate being negative most of the time.
Ray
May 30, 2026
5 comments:
Your negativity is honesty.
I wish the owners had the option of playing only current major league and minor league strike call ups making $1 million or less during the strike, which could turn out to be a long one. The collective bargaining agreements that are reached really only help the Rich players out.
What do those contracts do for the cheaper players? Very little. My biggest bugaboo is the fact that there are only 13 position players now when they used to be 15.
I’m pretty good at math: 30 teams times two positions equals 60 roster spots that have vanished, and parts of that owners can save money while paying guys like.Manaea and Montas ridiculous amount amounts of money to do very little.
Hey Ray, don’t go away. Find one positive thing a week to write about. Even for an organization like the Mets, that is possible. Difficult maybe. But possible.
The Mets desperately need to find a real first baseman. I think that although they should be sellers at the trade deadline, they should actively seek a player with real solid first base defensive experience, and preferably one that can hit.
We all would like to find more positives to write about, and a new 1B would be good. Hope that will keep Ray around, as his honesty is refreshing to read.
Ray
First of all, thank you for becoming a writer here. You always put out a great, honest piece
I hope your hiatus is short lived.
Hit em' straight and long
Mack
We will miss you
You will hear from me from time to time.
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