So far four votes, and three of us have picked the outfield. Taylor in CF may not be much better than he was last year (what if he’s worse?) and for all the hype about his glove, I can’t give him more than 50 starts if he gets an occasional big hit: so does Torrens. In fact, they are very similar profiles. LF is a black hole waiting for a prospect to win RoY. So, yea.
I don’t think the pitchers will all get hurt again. I don’t care if Simien is 35 years old, and Polanco can just catch the ball - to quote Brad Pitt. After outfielders, my worry is catchers and if Alavarez can step forward for a whole year. Lastly, I don’t want to see starting pitchers that are glad they lasted five innings.
Gus, I like where you are at here, and agree the OF is the biggest room for risk outside the SP (and ultimately RP if SP is not bolstered strongly).
I read a report that said Stearns is ok going into the season with Taylor and a potential platoon with Benge. Yikes. LF is definitely a big issue now too. I guess if we see 26 as already starting out with say 80-83 wins perhaps you give Benge a try as a full timer and see if he plays.
Your concern about C is interesting. I see where you are at there.
Whether or not every pitcher needs TJ surgery this season like last is certainly unlikely, but I think we place far too much hope on those returning from major IL as if everything is just back to normal. My expectations are much lower in terms of performance and stamina.
“I read a report that said Stearns is ok going into the season with Taylor and a potential platoon with Benge. Yikes. LF is definitely a big issue now too.”
Chris, are you trying to see if I’m falling for that?
Edit: Just saw the report about Boras pulling a lat muscle laughing at that.
Nope...its just the every day 50% junk we hear. Im excited to see Benge compete for a job, but seriously 24 games and 90 AB in AAA hardly seems like MLB-ready numbers to me.
As for SP, I think that situtation has me waiting with hands trembling. The lack of interest from Stearns really makes me think that he's banking on spinning upside gamble to the fan base.
In all seriousness, I would think Stearns would be getting too much pressure from Cohen to even entertain that thought again, plus I can’t see him putting the team in that position again this year. Would you be ok with a Chris Bassitt innings eater since King is off the table and the others really aren’t all that?
Do you really want Framber Valdez??? Who do you want? I don’t even want one year of Skubal and rip off the farm, like the Yankees did for Soto. My choices were Cease or King. I don’t trust Imai because I don’t know if he can go six or seven innings and I don’t want to get ripped off for a rental - Pivetta.
I think McNeil could certainly be playing some left field. It’s the shortest field to throw from so it will hide his less than super throwing arm. If they trusted him in centerfield, he could certainly play left.
Steven, as a second baseman, McNeil has value as a decent bat. As an outfielder he is below average. His versatility gives him some bonus marks but not as a full time outfielder or even platoon.
I think the best value is to trade McNeil for something (after today’s Brandon Lowe trade, cross the Pirates off the list) and sign a player like Miguel Andujar that scares the crap out of lefties and keeps the ex-Yankee theme going.
If Stearns doesnt do anything else meaningful and runs with what is on the team now, the fans wont buy it and revolt and will be calling for his head. If he goes with this mid tier garbage, we will be flirting with a .500 record. We a serious outfielder and a serious number one starter not named Skubal. If not a serious number one starter, than two high upside reliable starters. Trades are tough to make, because both sides want to win the trade, so they dont happen too often. If Stearns has heavily been in the phone, and has nothing to show for it, which he doesnt, their may not be much appetite for a McNeil, Vientos, Mauricio or Acuna. Other teams will want McLean, Tong, Sproat, Williams and Benge. I think it will be an overpay, but Bellinger would be the best solution. Rather have him than $ 400 million Tucker. Ranger Suarez is still out there. Or maybe Murakami gets desperate on Monday an hour before his deadline and signs a two year deal with an out after one. He may be a good DH. Who knows about Benge or Williams, which one may be good. Maybe both, maybe neither. Look at our baby Mets Baty, Vientos, Mauricio, Acuna and even Alvarez. Its one or two for five. None of them are all stars and the jury is still out on Baty and who knows about Alvarez. It needs to be put with the old, in with the new, but yes its only December 19th and so far, Stearns has not executed as we watch day by day and other teams making moves. Look at Toronto, decisive. The Mets, ha, other GMs may be laughing at Stearns. It appears to me that maybe they dont respect him or laugh at ridiculous offers he has made. We just dont know. I just want a product that we can be proud of and a team who is full of fight, even if they dont win. Last season they played like they were in a funeral home. I also like managers who are bold. Mendoza is just not my type of guy. If you were a GM of another team, do you want Senga, Peterson, Vientos, Mauricio, Acuna or McNeil? Would the Dodgers trade for any of these guys? No, because these types of players are Pirates or White Sox kind of guys. They need to sign the free agents and try to trade our refuse for some relievers.
I picked relievers because I've seen over the years how much a strong pen vs a weak pen can alter the course of the season. There is huge upside with Williams and Weaver et al...but also of course...as we know and have seen...it could all go south pretty quickly. But show me a pen with a 3 era and no blown leads after 8 innings and ill show you a playoff team.
FWIW, the Padres had the best reliever ERA last year with a 3.06 mark, with the Red Sox in second with a 3.41 ERA. The Mets were 15th with a 3.93 ERA and the MLB average was a 4.08 mark.
The Royals were the only team not to blow a save in the 9th inning. The D'Backs had the most with eight. The Mets were tied with a bunch of team with three blown leads in the 9th.
Why do you mean “the Mets were tied with a bunch of other teams with three blown saves in the ninth inning”? But, the Mets had Diaz!!!! Who did those other teams have?
The poll doesnt have starting pitching as an option, which is my vote.
All the kerfuffling that Stearns is doing is “whatever” bits and bobs that GMs do every off season, but so far he has failed to address the biggest issue and that is starting pitching, which also happened to be the biggest hole last year.
Your article nicely notes the individual issues, to which I would add, in general, those coming off IL should have low expectations in both IP and quality. A massive mistake is believing the player will come right back at full strength. As for Manaea, 2024 was an aberration in his productivity as a pitcher, perhaps riding the wave of the OMG year. I dont see him as anything more than a 100 ERA+, 1.2+ WHIP pitcher. It would be great if he was good enough for 160 IP, but I have doubts. We need to be super careful in the handling of McLean and the expectations placed on his head. He does not need to be anointed as an “ace” that people so loosely toss around. If we could get a full season of 3.0-3.5 ERA that would be fantastic.
I guess after starting pitching I’d say the OF, which is a hot mess.
Bullpen and infield seem like acceptable risks to me so that leaves the outfield. I took a look at the Syracuse roster and its impressive how empty it is right now. I'm not worried about Soto and McNeil but leaving a starting position plus the primary backup to Taylor/Young/Benge seems like its expecting too much. Perhaps the best thing about the Polanco signing is that it frees up McNeil for LF so at least there will be some stability out there.
Outfield because McNeil this a plus offensively at second base but for a left fielder he lacks power. His fWAR would only be below the middle of the pack of MLB leftfielders based on last year. Taylor offensively hasn't had a OPS+ above 100 since 2022. Carson Benge and Jett Willians didn't burn up AAA in 2025 so probably it would be prudent to give them some more time in AAA. Don't let their MLB time start until they are ready. Soto was offensively gifted but his defense regressed. There is no 4th outfielder case in of injury. The 5th outfielder in non existent therfore the bench is weak for pinch hitting.
You established SP as the biggest risk in your article and had you made that a vote option, I think it would have been unanimous. That said, I think the IF is manageable with the parts they have. My strong hunch is that Polanco is the primary DH and a better 1B is brought in. The pen is coming along. They aren’t done but the foundation looks promising to me. The OF is a black hole. No LF, Benge is unproven in CF, and Soto is a DH masquerading as a LF. There’s a ton of work to do there.
Out of curiosity, has anyone seen Mark Vientos play first base? The one game that I saw him, he made a great play stretching out to catch a throw that was way wide towards right field and keep his toe on the bag. That’s all I remember.
So far four votes, and three of us have picked the outfield. Taylor in CF may not be much better than he was last year (what if he’s worse?) and for all the hype about his glove, I can’t give him more than 50 starts if he gets an occasional big hit: so does Torrens. In fact, they are very similar profiles. LF is a black hole waiting for a prospect to win RoY. So, yea.
I don’t think the pitchers will all get hurt again. I don’t care if Simien is 35 years old, and Polanco can just catch the ball - to quote Brad Pitt. After outfielders, my worry is catchers and if Alavarez can step forward for a whole year. Lastly, I don’t want to see starting pitchers that are glad they lasted five innings.
Gus, I like where you are at here, and agree the OF is the biggest room for risk outside the SP (and ultimately RP if SP is not bolstered strongly).
I read a report that said Stearns is ok going into the season with Taylor and a potential platoon with Benge. Yikes. LF is definitely a big issue now too. I guess if we see 26 as already starting out with say 80-83 wins perhaps you give Benge a try as a full timer and see if he plays.
Your concern about C is interesting. I see where you are at there.
Whether or not every pitcher needs TJ surgery this season like last is certainly unlikely, but I think we place far too much hope on those returning from major IL as if everything is just back to normal. My expectations are much lower in terms of performance and stamina.
“I read a report that said Stearns is ok going into the season with Taylor and a potential platoon with Benge. Yikes. LF is definitely a big issue now too.”
Chris, are you trying to see if I’m falling for that?
Edit: Just saw the report about Boras pulling a lat muscle laughing at that.
Nope...its just the every day 50% junk we hear. Im excited to see Benge compete for a job, but seriously 24 games and 90 AB in AAA hardly seems like MLB-ready numbers to me.
As for SP, I think that situtation has me waiting with hands trembling. The lack of interest from Stearns really makes me think that he's banking on spinning upside gamble to the fan base.
In all seriousness, I would think Stearns would be getting too much pressure from Cohen to even entertain that thought again, plus I can’t see him putting the team in that position again this year. Would you be ok with a Chris Bassitt innings eater since King is off the table and the others really aren’t all that?
No. I mean, really, if they are not at SP1 level, I'm not taking Stearns serious for 26.
Do you really want Framber Valdez??? Who do you want? I don’t even want one year of Skubal and rip off the farm, like the Yankees did for Soto. My choices were Cease or King. I don’t trust Imai because I don’t know if he can go six or seven innings and I don’t want to get ripped off for a rental - Pivetta.
I think McNeil could certainly be playing some left field. It’s the shortest field to throw from so it will hide his less than super throwing arm. If they trusted him in centerfield, he could certainly play left.
Steven, as a second baseman, McNeil has value as a decent bat. As an outfielder he is below average. His versatility gives him some bonus marks but not as a full time outfielder or even platoon.
I think the best value is to trade McNeil for something (after today’s Brandon Lowe trade, cross the Pirates off the list) and sign a player like Miguel Andujar that scares the crap out of lefties and keeps the ex-Yankee theme going.
Gus, I read the same thing.
If Stearns doesnt do anything else meaningful and runs with what is on the team now, the fans wont buy it and revolt and will be calling for his head. If he goes with this mid tier garbage, we will be flirting with a .500 record. We a serious outfielder and a serious number one starter not named Skubal. If not a serious number one starter, than two high upside reliable starters. Trades are tough to make, because both sides want to win the trade, so they dont happen too often. If Stearns has heavily been in the phone, and has nothing to show for it, which he doesnt, their may not be much appetite for a McNeil, Vientos, Mauricio or Acuna. Other teams will want McLean, Tong, Sproat, Williams and Benge. I think it will be an overpay, but Bellinger would be the best solution. Rather have him than $ 400 million Tucker. Ranger Suarez is still out there. Or maybe Murakami gets desperate on Monday an hour before his deadline and signs a two year deal with an out after one. He may be a good DH. Who knows about Benge or Williams, which one may be good. Maybe both, maybe neither. Look at our baby Mets Baty, Vientos, Mauricio, Acuna and even Alvarez. Its one or two for five. None of them are all stars and the jury is still out on Baty and who knows about Alvarez. It needs to be put with the old, in with the new, but yes its only December 19th and so far, Stearns has not executed as we watch day by day and other teams making moves. Look at Toronto, decisive. The Mets, ha, other GMs may be laughing at Stearns. It appears to me that maybe they dont respect him or laugh at ridiculous offers he has made. We just dont know. I just want a product that we can be proud of and a team who is full of fight, even if they dont win. Last season they played like they were in a funeral home. I also like managers who are bold. Mendoza is just not my type of guy. If you were a GM of another team, do you want Senga, Peterson, Vientos, Mauricio, Acuna or McNeil? Would the Dodgers trade for any of these guys? No, because these types of players are Pirates or White Sox kind of guys. They need to sign the free agents and try to trade our refuse for some relievers.
Mike…. They fell apart and still won 83 games… it’s not like they won 50. And, their rotation was hurt all year long. But, ok…
Really thought the starting pitchers should have been a voting option. I see that as the biggest vulnerability.
From TFA:
To me, the starters are where the biggest risk is
let’s agree that the starters are the riskiest
Agreed
I picked relievers because I've seen over the years how much a strong pen vs a weak pen can alter the course of the season. There is huge upside with Williams and Weaver et al...but also of course...as we know and have seen...it could all go south pretty quickly. But show me a pen with a 3 era and no blown leads after 8 innings and ill show you a playoff team.
FWIW, the Padres had the best reliever ERA last year with a 3.06 mark, with the Red Sox in second with a 3.41 ERA. The Mets were 15th with a 3.93 ERA and the MLB average was a 4.08 mark.
The Royals were the only team not to blow a save in the 9th inning. The D'Backs had the most with eight. The Mets were tied with a bunch of team with three blown leads in the 9th.
https://champsorchumps.us/records/most-mlb-blown-leads-in-2025
Why do you mean “the Mets were tied with a bunch of other teams with three blown saves in the ninth inning”? But, the Mets had Diaz!!!! Who did those other teams have?
Gus bringing the snark!
The poll doesnt have starting pitching as an option, which is my vote.
All the kerfuffling that Stearns is doing is “whatever” bits and bobs that GMs do every off season, but so far he has failed to address the biggest issue and that is starting pitching, which also happened to be the biggest hole last year.
Your article nicely notes the individual issues, to which I would add, in general, those coming off IL should have low expectations in both IP and quality. A massive mistake is believing the player will come right back at full strength. As for Manaea, 2024 was an aberration in his productivity as a pitcher, perhaps riding the wave of the OMG year. I dont see him as anything more than a 100 ERA+, 1.2+ WHIP pitcher. It would be great if he was good enough for 160 IP, but I have doubts. We need to be super careful in the handling of McLean and the expectations placed on his head. He does not need to be anointed as an “ace” that people so loosely toss around. If we could get a full season of 3.0-3.5 ERA that would be fantastic.
I guess after starting pitching I’d say the OF, which is a hot mess.
From TFA:
To me, the starters are where the biggest risk is
let’s agree that the starters are the riskiest
Brian, no starting pitching option??? LOLLLLLLLLL
Bullpen and infield seem like acceptable risks to me so that leaves the outfield. I took a look at the Syracuse roster and its impressive how empty it is right now. I'm not worried about Soto and McNeil but leaving a starting position plus the primary backup to Taylor/Young/Benge seems like its expecting too much. Perhaps the best thing about the Polanco signing is that it frees up McNeil for LF so at least there will be some stability out there.
Outfield because McNeil this a plus offensively at second base but for a left fielder he lacks power. His fWAR would only be below the middle of the pack of MLB leftfielders based on last year. Taylor offensively hasn't had a OPS+ above 100 since 2022. Carson Benge and Jett Willians didn't burn up AAA in 2025 so probably it would be prudent to give them some more time in AAA. Don't let their MLB time start until they are ready. Soto was offensively gifted but his defense regressed. There is no 4th outfielder case in of injury. The 5th outfielder in non existent therfore the bench is weak for pinch hitting.
You established SP as the biggest risk in your article and had you made that a vote option, I think it would have been unanimous. That said, I think the IF is manageable with the parts they have. My strong hunch is that Polanco is the primary DH and a better 1B is brought in. The pen is coming along. They aren’t done but the foundation looks promising to me. The OF is a black hole. No LF, Benge is unproven in CF, and Soto is a DH masquerading as a LF. There’s a ton of work to do there.
Out of curiosity, has anyone seen Mark Vientos play first base? The one game that I saw him, he made a great play stretching out to catch a throw that was way wide towards right field and keep his toe on the bag. That’s all I remember.