6:38pm: Mayor de Blasio does not want MLB to approve the sale to Cohen, according to Thornton McEnery, Josh Kosman and Julie Marsh of the New York Post. Mayor de Blasio seems to have concerns over the fact that Cohen “pleaded guilty to insider trading charges in 2013,” the Post trio writes.
10:40am: In a news conference today, Mayor de Blasio told reporters (including Newsday’s Tim Healey) that the city’s decision on the Mets’ ownership change will come “at some point in the next few days.” Healey notes that city approval is expected to be granted.
OCT. 27: MLB owners are likely to vote on Cohen’s potential ownership Friday, per Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News. It appears they’ll approve Cohen. However, there’s concern on Cohen’s part that New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio won’t approve of the ownership switch by Friday. If he doesn’t, a source told Thosar: “The worst-case scenario is if this drags on long enough, the Mets miss out on all major free agents, miss out on potential trades and they go into next season effectively in the same place they are this season. And that would really be not good. If that happens, they’re effectively crippled for next season.”
OCT. 20: Prospective owner Steve Cohen is getting closer to taking over the Mets from the beleaguered Fred Wilpon-Jeff Wilpon tandem. Major League Baseball’s eight-person Ownership Committee recently voted in favor of Cohen, 7-1, Scott Soshnick and Barry M. Bloom of Sportico report. Cohen still has to receive approval from 22 of the league’s other 29 owners in order to assume the Mets’ reins, but Soshnick and Bloom suggest that’s a formality.
As someone who currently owns 8 percent of the Mets, Cohen’s already known around the league. He agreed in mid-September to purchase 95 percent of the club for around $2.475 billion, which came after a potential agreement between Cohen and the Wilpons fell through last winter. Since then, though, the Wilpons have endured substantial losses as a result of the coronavirus-shortened season with no fans in attendance, so they became more eager to part with the franchise.
Considering his net worth comes in north of $14 billion, Mets fans are understandably excited to see Cohen on the verge of leading the organization. And if Cohen does receive the necessary approval to succeed the Wilpons in the coming weeks, it won’t be a surprise to see the team make some splashy moves in the offseason after missing the playoffs for the fourth year in a row in 2020. Any of the game’s best pending free agents (Trevor Bauer, J.T. Realmuto and DJ LeMahieu, to name a few) could conceivably wind up on the Cohen-led Mets’ radar over the winter.
DarkSide830
who voted no?
whynot 2
Yankees of course
Al Hirschen
Steinbrenner approve .Jerry Reinsdorf of the White Sox said no.
LordD99
No way. A stronger Mets team will raise the value of all franchises, with the Yankees being the chief beneficiary.
MoRivera 1999
Apparently it was Reinsdorf (see comment below by metsle1).
GarryHarris
Many speculate that Jerry Reinsdorf voted no for two reasons:
Cohen’s SAC Capital hedge fund was guilty of criminal insider trading. The insider trading was deemed institutional and on a scale never yet seen. In truth, would vote no too knowing what I know about that case and what’s happened afterward,
Many assume that since Reinsdorf taught Alex Rodriguez the Real Estate business, he would prefer he would assume ownership.
mets101
Lindor
jimmyduz0523
most likely the Chicago guy…
jimmyduz0523
the Chicago guy
Orel Saxhiser
Lots of holes on that team. Spending stupid money in free agency won’t fix it. If Cohen is really a baseball fan, he already knows this.
Joggin’George
Yep. As a Mets fan, I have to agree
looiebelongsinthehall
I’m expecting one flash move regardless of COVID to get the fans behind him. It might though be a trade. I know it’s unlikely but given Trout is from the northeast, I can see him trying to pry him loose from the Angels.
AngelDiceClay
Loose
There’s not enough lol’s in the world to complete this response.
Rangers29
But the Mets already gifted the Angels Mickey Callaway, doesn’t that amount to anything Halo?
trout27
Mike Trout isn’t going anywhere. He wouldn’t have signed a twelve year extension last year if he didn’t enjoy living in So Cal for 7 months out of the year. Also, his wife loves living in Newport Beach. As an Angel fan I only hope that they make a great GM hire and get the organization going in the right direction.
Orel Saxhiser
trout27, eight candidates supposedly being considered are listed on AngelsWin.com. An encouraging list with thankfully no Dombrowski. I’d like to see them get Josh Byrnes though it would be a loss for the Dodgers. For the love of baseball, get Mike Trout to the World Series so we can have a real Freeway Series.
AngelDiceClay
Trout27- when will the fans of the other 29 teams get it thru their heads??
pasha2k
I hope you get DD, he can make your team a winner.
MarlinsFanBase
LOL to Trout going to the Mets.
Stupid trade suggestion season has officially started!
metfan4ever
We know he’ll never go to the Marlins
jekporkins
Ah yes, my favorites being Yankee fans and their over-evaluating of their own talent. I’m expecting the Francisco Lindor for a bag of baseballs and Miguel Andújar (because Clint Frazier would be asking too much).
Yep it is
I wouldn’t let Josh Byrnes take tickets at a game and certainly wouldn’t let him run my team. He is HORRIBLE
smytds
We assume he could be available because the Angels have been so bad
looiebelongsinthehall
I never said they would get him. Only an attempt. Never know however. You know the story that you finished last with him, you can do the same without him. As good as he is how many teams will risk that contract during The pandemic AND give up a huge return. Dodgers maybe but with Betts signed, I think they like their payroll freedom. Just money, Boston might but they need pitching and would have an empty farm again if a trade like that was made. I don’t see the Yankees with their two long term commitments. Perhaps Philly. No on else.
looiebelongsinthehall
It was an example of the type of move Cohen might make for headlines. No one said he would actually be traded. Please calm down everyone.
whynot 2
No such thing as a perfect team. Fill as many holes as possible without overspending to a crippling degree and see what happens. No one wants to watch a team purposely lose for 5+ years, with a couple of 100+ loss seasons in between, just for a shot at coming out a competitive rebuilt team on the other end.
angt222
That’s why he plans to overhaul the analytics department.
Backup Catcher to the Backup Catcher
You don’t need analytics to sign Realmuto, Spring and Bauer. Shoot it up, Mr. Cohen. Go big or go home.
bobg529
The biggest hole on the team for years has been the Wilpon’s. The Met’s need new ownership badly. Fred is broke, and Jeff is a meddling fool. I like that Cohen’s a lifetime Met fan, and has plenty of money so the Met’s can spend like a big market team for once. Money and desire are no guarantee, but at least the Mets fans will finally have a reason to be excited and hopeful about the future!
MarlinsFanBase
Spend like a big market team? I think that the Mets have spent more than many other playoff teams and World Series teams and World Series winners over the years. How is money the problem?
Joggin’George
The spending isnt the problem but good luck trying to convince my fellow Met fans that. “The Mets are cheap and must spend big in free agency” narrative refuses to die. And if you point out how high the payroll is they back off just a bit and blabber on about injured players and insurance. It’s ridiculous.
Phil Leotardo
Ummm 2015 Royals outspent the 2015 Mets but sure the Mets spend money……
Joggin’George
Mets have one of the highest payrolls in MLB so yes, they do spend money on players. But why let facts get in the way?
PitcherMeRolling
Mets Payroll Rankings
2020 – 5th
2019 – 10
2018 – 12
2017 – 12
2016 – 19! A year after going to the WS.
2015 – 21
2014 – 22
2013 – 23
This is making me sad, so I’m going to stop. Suffice to say, the Mets have absolutely not spent like a big market team.
Joggin’George
2013-15 were rebuilding years. The success in ‘15 was a surprise. (Although, arguably’15 shouldn’t have been, but what free agents didn’t they sign that they should have?) Plus you spend smart, not for the the sake of it cuz NY. And the whole “spend like a big market” nonsense has to stop. You spend smart, not according to the supposed glamor of the local market.
PitcherMeRolling
Cosmo, you usually don’t see goalposts move in a baseball discussion. Well done!
Figure out what you want to say and get back to me.
Joggin’George
There is a difference between maxing out payroll for the sake of it and never spending. If you can’t see that it isn’t wise to max out payroll while rebuilding I don’t know what can be said to you. The goal is to win, not outspend other markets regardless of plan. As such there is no moving of goal posts at all… the idea that a team must max out payroll each and every year for the sake of it in order to be considered “not cheap” is childish at best, if not out right moronic. Notice the top payrolls when looking to contend. Spending smart is spending. Being in the top 33% of payrolls is spending, my point stands. Spending for its own sake is dumb. Spending big while rebuilding is dumb. Figure out your own misunderstandings, but no need to reply back.
PitcherMeRolling
Yeah, your argument keeps changing, I know.
rct
I mean, you’re talking about them not spending like a big market team, but their payroll has steadily increased and in 2020 they were 5th in payroll. Is 5th not a big market team?
MarlinsFanBase
Exactly.
I wonder, since the Wilpons took over, how many playoff teams, League Champions, and World Series Champions that the Mets have outspent?
There’s a bunch of them. It’s laughable to use the ‘spend like a big market team’ excuse.
There’s a big difference between not spending and spending poorly. The Mets have spent poorly. The problem has been that the franchise has been more about making headlines with their moves instead of making smart moves. And to hear that everyone expects Cohen to make headline-grabbing moves, that will just be the same ole thing that has made the Mets fail.
PitcherMeRolling
The argument was simply that they had spent like a big market team. The facts I laid out say differently.
If you guys want to have a different conversation, that’s cool. It just doesn’t have anything to do with me.
PitcherMeRolling
They are a big market team, they’re in New York. That’s not what anyone is arguing about.
5th is good. Being 5th once, 10th once and no higher than 19th when they had the core to compete for years isn’t spending like a big market team.
MarlinsFanBase
but they’ve spent more than teams that ,made the playoffs, became league champions and won the World Series many times under the Wilpons.
So, how does spending more than teams that make the playoffs, win their league championship and/or win the World Series mean that they don’t spend enough?
And as far as competing, you Mets fans are notorious for always thinking your team is a contender no matter how lousy the roster is. So, you all would always expect them to spend top 5, even with a team that goes on to lose 100 games. How is that the way that a franchise should be run?
PitcherMeRolling
Being in the top 5 once out of eight years isn’t spending like a big market team.
PitcherMeRolling
MarlinsFanBase, what are you talking about? The argument is whether the Mets spend like a big market team. Top 5 once in eight years isn’t spending like a big market team. Top 10 twice in eight years isn’t spending like a big market team. The 19th highest payroll coming off an NL pennant isn’t spending like a big market team.
I don’t know why this is so hard for some people to understand. If you want to argue about something else, that’s fine. But, that has nothing to do with what I said.
MarlinsFanBase
Oh, so it has to be what you deem as acceptable amounts of spending.
How much more money do they need to spend to win when they already have outspent multiple playoff teams, League Champions and World Series Champions?
“Spending like a big market” is not a solution to the Mets problems. Spending wisely has been the problem.
My point is why waste time complaining that not “spending like a big market” is a problem with the Mets, when facts show that teams are having better seasons than the Mets while spending less.
PitcherMeRolling
Again, I’ve pretty clearly laid out how they have not spent like a big market team using very clear facts. Your point doesn’t have anything to do with what I’m saying. It’s a separate conversation than people saying the Mets don’t spend like a big market club.
I understand that everyone has an opinion. That doesn’t mean that everyone’s opinion is pertinent.
MarlinsFanBase
So, you’re basically making a point that has no bearing on anything other than the cosmetics for the Mets – not their success or lack of success. Okay, so you are not mentioning that as a reason for their failure as an organization. I get that. Stick to it though because, if you ever try to cross over to say that them not spending like a big market team is the reason they have failed as an organization, then we’ll continue to provide the facts that prove that is not correct.
PitcherMeRolling
I simply responded to the people who said the Mets spend like a big market club with facts. At some point, you decided you wanted to talk about something else. That doesn’t have anything to do with me. Not sure why this is so difficult.
MarlinsFanBase
Because a lot of your fellow Mets fans say that as an excuse as to why they couldn’t win under the Wilpons.
When you say the same thing that they use as an excuse, people are going to think you’re doing the same thing of making an excuse.
That’s where I and others were coming from.
PitcherMeRolling
I’m not at all worried about the opinions of people with poor reading comprehension.
MarlinsFanBase
That’s fine. Whatever floats your boat.
You can ignore opinions that you don’t like, but if the Mets spend stupidly, it won’t matter if they have MLB’s highest payroll if they are spending on the Jason Bays, Pedro Martinezes, David Wrights, Wilson Ramoses Jeurys Familias, Dellin Betanceses Robinson Canos, etc
PitcherMeRolling
I don’t think the Pedro Martinez deal was all that bad. Also, I think the vast majority of Mets fans are fine with the Wright contract.
But, otherwise, yeah.
MarlinsFanBase
That’s fine. You can be happy with those types of contracts, but don’t expect wins from those types of signings. Those are the types of contracts that hinder a team’s success because it takes away from a budget (which even big market teams have) money that could be used for more useful and often needed areas of the team. But if you’re happy with overspending on guys who are only names rather than production, then you’ll be okay with the lack of success that comes with that. And prepare to argue with other Mets fans who will expect winning moves, not those moves for the sake of spending, which result on overspending for players that don’t add significant success.
PitcherMeRolling
It seems like you think I said something that I didn’t say. But, thanks for the info. Anytime a Marlins fan is willing to discuss building a winning team, everybody better listen.
MarlinsFanBase
Ahhhh…the attempted cheap shot. Yeah, I guess a Marlins fan shouldn’t talk about building a winning team any more than a Mets fan should talk about what is needed to win a championship.
As for what you said. You said that the Mets haven’t spent like a big market team, which implies that they should spend like a big market team. Considering that this same statement has been the excuse that Mets fans have used every single year as to the reason why they can’t win, sorry of anyone mixes you in with those Mets fans that say the same exact thing that you did…but use it as an excuse for why the Mets haven’t won a championship in 34 seasons – the longest championship drought in the NL East.
PitcherMeRolling
Stop with the, “which implies” nonsense. I said what I meant and I meant what I said. Nothing more, nothing less.
I don’t care what other people say or how they’re perceived. I’m an adult.
MarlinsFanBase
Okay, so you want the Mets to spend like a big market team, but you don’t mean that you’re implying that’s the reason they fail. You just want them to spend more…that’s it…with no specific reason beyond that.
Got it!
JackStrawb
@Cosmo Congratulations, I guess, on being exactly what you criticize others for.
In addition, the Mets aren’t even a “big market” team, they’re the “biggest market” team and should no more spend 3 years “rebuilding” than they should spend just 2 years of the last 8 in the top 10 for payroll.
It’s ridiculous, and you’re embarrassing yourself.
PitcherMeRolling
This is getting tiresome. If you want to go back and look at what I actually said and the half dozen times I explained it, cool. We can have that conversation.
If not, no worries.
JackStrawb
“but they’ve spent more than teams that ,made the playoffs, became league champions and won the World Series many times under the Wilpons.”
—That’s just cherry-picking according to a flexible standard you invented here. If the Rays win the WS in 2020, no one reasonably argues that teams that spent more did so foolishly. If a guy hits more HR than a batting average champ, that doesn’t make him a superior player.
The correlation between payroll and finish is constant and undeniable—only you are implying that it’s an exact correspondence, and claiming that since it isn’t, the Mets are therefore spending commensurate with the biggest market in NA sports.
Of course they aren’t.
MarlinsFanBase
I’m actually not saying that money and success is correlated. I’m responding to Mets fans that keep saying that their team’s problems are related to the Wilpons spending habits not being “like a big market”. I pointed out that they have spent more than a lot of teams that have been able to have more success while those teams have not spent as much as the Mets have done under the Wilpons.
When a people say that the reason something happens because of a certain cause, but there is information that says otherwise, then I’m going to mention it.
To conclude…
Statement: Mets will win when they have ownership that spends like a big market team.
Fact: Many teams that have made the playoffs, won League Championships, and some World Series Championships have spent less than the Mets have under the Wilpons.
Conclusion: The Mets spending habits under the Wilpons is not the reason the Mets have failed so many times.
There is another set of facts that point to how the Mets have spent poorly compared to the teams that have found ways to succeed, but that’s for another discussion.
Phil Leotardo
Success in 15 was expected hence they traded a lot of guys to get Ces,Uribe,Johnson. The problem is even last few years guys like Wright and Ces were on payroll but they collected insurance. They never reinvested.
slider32
Yes, offer Srpringer 6/140, and Bauer for 30 million for a year!
stymeedone
So they made the WS with the 21st payroll. Guess that means its not necessary to spend big.
sviscusi
Rebuilding had nothing to do with it. The Mets had always spent during rebuilding, the reason why payroll was that low was because the Wilpons could barely make even that reduced payroll.
nik
Ok,I have to chime in. The “they spend money” argument is flawed. The Mets have had TWO people in the analytics department for years. They never cover mistakes, have gotten a ton of money back through insurance without reinvesting it, always cheap out on the margins, always go for the Jason Bay over the Matt Holiday, never give the GM a budget until after the winter meetings… shall I go on?
Forget the fact that Jeff makes medical decisions on players and the culture is awful.
I can think of 13 billion reasons to be excited now.
nik
You realize there is more to spending than paying for the very top end of your roster? They never spent on analytics, always chose the 2nd best option to save a few bucks, never spent to depth pieces, never got a big manager and never reinvested the insurence money they got back (AKA covered for their mistakes).
Gallops77
The issue with this team has been the Wilpon’s refusal to open their checkbook and give their GM’s a chance to build a competitive roster. When a GM is handcuffed with what they can/cannot spend, it makes filling holes in free agency, and even via trade difficult. There have been players the Mets were not even in on that would have filled holes in their lineups. What Steve Cohen does is bring the hope that the Mets will have an owner that will allow his GM to spend necessary money to sign players that the team needs. There’s a reason why in recent years MLBTR hasn’t listed the Mets has a potential landing place for most top 15 free agents. They know the Wilpon’s won’t pay for those players. Cohen will.
MarlinsFanBase
Yes, because every playoff team, League Champion, and World Series Champion that has spent less than the Mets during the Wilpons regime clearly show that a GM is not able to build winners without spending a lot of money.
Mets fans have a great point there.
metsie1
The Mets have holes but their is a good young core. Interested to see who they put in charge of baseball. Alderson will be involved but he will not be the GM.
JackStrawb
@metsie1 I believe you’re right about Alderson, but they don’t have a good, young core. Only Alonso is among those certain to start in 2021 who will be under 28 next year and who has had even one strong full season in MLB.
Rosario barely has 1 season of 4 where he was worth starting, Dom’s never had more than 199 PAs in a season, and jd’s defense is so poor he’s barely replacement level.
They’re also older than the MLB average even after dumping a lot of old players this offseason.
nik
Jack, if you don’t watch the team and are too lazy to look at baseball reference, I don’t know why it’s worth your time to post on the site.
I love your glass half empty analysis, but if it isn’t grounded in facts, it’s bad trolling.
The Mets lineup was one of the best overall hitting lineups in all of MLB last year and outside of Cano, everyone is under 30. Dom & McNeil ( whom you you don’t mention) are both potential batting champions, Alonso hit 50+ homers last season, Davis is decent at 3B with a gun for an arm, Rosario is the backup SS at this point and Conforto (you forgot him too) is a legit All Star outfielder. Nimmo is also a respectable starting outfielder.
They also have the best pitcher in baseball and a good pen.
So keep dreaming. 😉 They need two starters, a decent catcher and an analytics department to position Nimmo correctly. According to the numbers, the difference between him and George Springer defensively is positioning.
Gallops77
Alonso, Davis, McNeil, Conforto, Nimmo and Smith are all 28 or younger.
Andres Gimenez is 21 but we have to see what a full season will do for him.
Add that with the best pitcher in baseball, Syndergaard coming back and seeing more of what David Peterson can do after a solid debut in 2020, the Mets are in a good position with a good young core and MLB ready players to move in deals if needed (Rosario, Smith, Davis, etc.).
MarlinsFanBase
Make sure that the other teams in the NL East get this memo.
MetsFan22
That team won 86 games in the toughest division in baseball last time there was a real season. If you add two good SP and realmuto that team is one of the best. Stop the nonsense. Last year isn’t a evaluation on the Mets. The whole SP was hurt and the replacements where giving up 5+ runs a game
MarlinsFanBase
“Even in 60 games, the Marlins will finish 15 games out of fourth place; 25 games out of first.”
“Marlins will be in last soon.”
– MetsFan22
nik
Straw man response.
PitcherMeRolling
Stupid spending won’t fix those holes, but smart spending will.
Srechter35
Barnacles, Batman, this thread is absolutely exhausting to read through.
PitcherMeRolling
It’s a like a logic snuff film.
Bigtimeyankeefan
It wasn’t teams themselves that voted, so Yankees could not have said no
flyingblindsquirrel
Who’s on the ownership committee?
DarkSide830
half the Mets fans in the known universe seem to think Cohen’s going to break the bank right away. the fact is, there are several barriers. just because he’s rich doesnt mean he will spend. a weird 2020 season could discourage spending by someone at the helm for the first time. and as was mentioned by Cey, there are a lot of holes and throwing crazy money at them may be ill advised. that’s part of why i think the Mets may prefer to go after a Contreras type over a JT. Bauer though seems like a good candidate, if he’s game of course.
MetsFan22
Tell me the holes lol…….
If they get 2 good SP and realmuto what are the holes exactly????
The rotation would be
Degrom
Peterson
Thor
SP FA
SP FA
There lineup has a good hitter at every position. You need learn more about the Mets.
Their weakest link is their bullpen but many teams have a bad bullpen.
MetsFan22
Obviously pitching was the weakest link but it wouldn’t have been if it was healthy. That’s why I said the bullpen was. But even the bullpen isn’t horrible.
kodiak920
Relying on Thor’s health is foolish. At this point, anything he gives you is gravy.
MetsFan22
True.. but 1-4 would still be solid with the best pitcher in baseball…. we get pitching in FA and we should be good imo. And it’s not thor had TOS. Pitchers could come back just like they where with TJS.
kodiak920
Not sure there are enough quality free agent pitchers to sign. Bauer is good, but his track record is mixed. Might slot in nicely behind Big Jake, but, after that…eh. A lot of feast or famine, which the Mets have had too much of, lately. No Cole and Strasburg on the market, this year.
padam
Same could’ve been said about DeGrom years ago, but he turned out ok. But I hear ya, next year is questionable. Don’t know what you don’t know.
VonPurpleHayes
Getting pitching in FA is no small task.
MetsFan22
Degrom has had like one year with a era over 3 and that year it was below 4 I think. Bauer isn’t in the same level in stuff and production
MarlinsFanBase
When you’re a last place team, you’ve got quite a few holes.
I would start with pitching after deGrom.
Defense
Lack of ability to manufacture runs.
Poor baserunning.
Shaky bullpen.
James Solomon
I agree on some of your points @marlinsfanbase
They need 2 SP, ideally a #1b and #2/3 type starter
The defense is their biggest issue. No more playing Nimmo in CF, Dom in LF and Davis/McNeil at 3b. Until they do that, won’t matter what pitchers they sign if they’re forced to throw extra pitches because of poor defense
I think they will be ok with manufacturing runs. They have very good avg/obp hitters which I think will continue. I think they will hit better with RISP which was minimal this season
The base running isn’t great but they put enough men on base so just hitting better with RISP will overcome the base running woes.
90% of baseball have shaky bullpens
Gallops77
Hard to really compare the 2020 season of 60 games with any other season. The Mets were not good this year, but their only real holes were the created by injury/opt outs. The loss of Syndergaard right before the regular season was supposed to have started to TJS, and then Stroman opting out after the shortened season began took their 2 and 3 starters out of the rotation. The bullpen was shaky because 3 of the 5 starters had ERAs over 5 and had to be used more often during those games.
Funny though that a Marlins fan is talking down about the Mets because the Marlins had a good 60 game season. Why don’t you wait and see if the Marlins can sustain that during 162 games. Or will they lose 100+ games again like they did in 2019?
Orel Saxhiser
They are the worst defensive team in the sport. Look at the Braves and Dodgers. The Mets have nowhere near the talent or organizational depth to compete with that. Btw, Atlanta came within one game of the World Series despite being without their best pitcher for essentially the entire season. No crying about injuries. They just kept winning as the good teams tend to do.
MetsFan22
You overrate the two teams. Yes they are are the two best teams. But they aren’t locks to the NLCS every year. Teams could beat them. The worst defense in the league won 86 games…..
MarlinsFanBase
So MetsFan22 is starting with his statements for 2021 and still calling the Braves overrated, and now adding the Dodgers to that.
This is going to be fun.
One would think that a person that was so wrong this past season, who saw his team in last place, would not be making any statements about the best two teams in the NL East being overrated.
Overrated is Nimmo when talked about by MetsFan22. Dodgers and Braves who played in the NLCS, and the Dodgers being in their 3rd Word Series in 4 years, is not overrated.
mookiesboy
but they Won’t be in 2021. Nimmo to LF. New Catcher and CF coming in. Gimenez at SS. Smith at 1B
Joggin’George
What new CFr is coming in? Other than Springer, I don’t see any of the free agents as being an actual upgrade.
rct
‘Overrated is Nimmo when talked about by MetsFan22.’
For the 10 millionth time, Nimmo is not overrated. He’s a career 130 OPS+ player whose stats this year projected to an almost 5 WAR player. His only problem has been health. He’s a very good player otherwise.
Joggin’George
Thor won’t be ready til mid season if at all… relying on him is a bad idea. They need at least 3 starting pitchers. And then there’s the bullpen….
JackStrawb
Solid point. Why do so many people think the Mets need only two starters?
Peterson’s unlikely to be worth a starting slot over 25 starts in 2021. He wasn’t even particularly good at AA, skipped AAA, and needed a lot of luck in 2020 to beat his FIP of 4.50.
He doesn’t strike out enough guys, he can’t get his K/BB ratio close to 2… If the Mets are lucky he’ll be a tolerable 5th starter.
Perksy
What about Rosario, JD Davis, Nimmo, an aging Cano. Pretty mediocre players.
MetsFan22
JD Davis Nimmo and Canó are amazing hitters. WTH are you taking about??
marcfrombrooklyn
There is constant complaining about defense but it’s really just catcher and center and, frankly, Nimmo’s offense more than makes up for his defense. There are a bunch of fans and media who want a defense-first center fielder but the numbers show they get much more value out of the on-base machine that is Nimmo than they lose with his play on the grass. And, until they find a place to play the rest of their hitters who force Nimmo out of left–Davis, Cano, McNeil, Smith–then they are better with him in center than with him, Smith, Davis, Cano, McNeil or Alonso on the bench.. If they move enough of those guys to fill other needs, sure, get Nimmo out of center. But, I don’t want to see the likes of Pillar or JBJ with Nimmo or the others on the bench. Offense plays. It always has. Win Shares, WAR, etc. proves it.
JackStrawb
Defense is a real problem. Not as much a problem as the wailers would have us believe, but it was below average in 2021 at nearly every position, and probably cost the Mets 2 or 3 games versus an average defense.
With a competent manager and GM at the helm from the start of the 60-game season, this would have made the difference between contending and missing. .
JackStrawb
Davis is replacement level for his career. Cano was replacement level in 2019. Rosario had 1 year of 4 where he deserved a starting slot.
Only Nimmo is a very good player.
Sure, if the NL had 9 dh’s the Mets would be in better shape, but so would a batch of teams.
MarlinsFanBase
Davis, Nimmo and Cano amazing hitters? Okay, this is a troll effort for sure.
MarlinsFanBase
Wait, Win Shares, WAR etc. proves it? Did I miss something in the Mets finishing in last place?
Joggin’George
Perksy- only Davis is mediocre (very good bat, no D)… Rosario is pretty bad, Cano is a huge ?, and Nimmo is awesome (unless your evaluation of players hasn’t advanced since 1980 and you judge him solely on batting average)
Joggin’George
Cano was very good with the bat, so was Davis and Nimmo was terrific. (Check out OPS or WRC)… the team sucked cuz no defense and one of the worst staffs in all baseball.
JackStrawb
@MetsFan22 lol indeed— the idea that Peterson and Thor will give the Mets even 30 above average starts *combined* is optimistic, to say the least.
Peterson had a weak 2019 season in AA ball and was weak in 2018 when he was in high A.
Other than his lucky 9 starts in 2020 he has never excelled above A ball. Counting on him for a good full season in 2021 is so optimistic as to border on the preposterous.
sviscusi
Syndergard won’t be ready till midseason at the earliest. As of right now there are two competent ML pitchers on the roster, they need 3 more plus more for depth.
Orel Saxhiser
DarkSide, As I suggested elsewhere, I don’t think a hands-on owner works in today’s game. Too many variables that include crunching baseball data and having chemistry between the front office and field manager. Friedman and Roberts being on the same page is a huge reason for the team’s success, with Kasten being a baseball man who serves as a bridge between ownership and the baseball people. The culture is different now. For this reason, I think teams like the Phillies and Angels would be better served if Middleton and Moreno were not so involved. Have a director of baseball operations to hire the GM, then pick a manager those two will be comfortable working with. As a native Southern Californian who lives in the Philly area, I pay attention to those teams and want them to succeed (even though I’m a Dodgers fan). It will be fascinating to see how those two and the Marlins handle their vacancies. The Marlins seem to have a leg up as they are already considering Billy Eppler to oversee baseball operations while having a separate GM. Eppler, of course, had to deal with a meddlesome owner with the Angels. That might have worked when Moreno bought the team but doesn’t work now.
Ducky Buckin Fent
Congrats to your squad, @Cey hey.
I’m not one of those people discounting this World Series.
From my experience being in the world of 2020 I can see an argument that this year’s winner faced more difficulties than normal.
nik
Where is this “lots of holes” narrative coming from? Catcher, two arms and an analytics department is all we need, He can drop cash on Bauer, trade for a good #3 and let Peterson & Lugo round it out. When Thor is ready, Lugo can head back to the pen. Boom.
metsie1
Jerry Reinsdorf of the White Sox is the no vote. He is on the Committee and had voted against Cohen when he tried to buy Dodgers. He’s allegedly a buddy of Arod who lost out.
YankeesBleacherCreature
By all accounts and the size of his pocketbook, Cohen is good for baseball. Sure Jerry, let personal bias get in the way of improving the league by getting the Wilpons out.
drasco036
Just because an owner is wealthy does not mean he is going to spend wildly on payroll. Owning a baseball team is a business and I personally do not think any owner goes into his own pocket to sign a player.
Generally, you will see owners spend their own money to invest in infrastructure and increasing teams net worth… think what the Ricketts are doing in Chicago, spending their money on Wrigley renovation, buying building around Wrigley, increasing add revenue, investing in the Cubs network, etc to increase their and their teams profits which allow them to spend more.
Cohen will most likely need to find a way to increase the teams overall value and increase their revenue before going hog wild on improving the roster.
Orel Saxhiser
Yup, and let baseball people make baseball decisions. The fascinating thing to me will be how the Mets restructure the rest of their front office. A new GM will come with their own philosophy on how to build a consistent winner. If Van Wagenen is ousted, we will have four teams with GM vacancies (Angels, Marlins, Phillies are the others). Those hires will tell us a lot about the future direction of those franchises. It will make for an intriguing winter, with COVID financials and expanded playoffs also affecting how teams conduct their baseball business.
padam
Considering his net worth is over 14B, buying the Mets is a hobby. A 300M contract for him is like buying a car for most. And a used car at that.
YankeesBleacherCreature
If Showtime’s Bobby Axelrod is any indication, I’m in agreement with you.
JackStrawb
“IF” Van Wagenen is fired?
If he’s not fired, it will be prima facie evidence that Cohen is clueless.
JackStrawb
It would be malfeasance for Cohen not to add 100m in FA this offseason.
Running anything less than a 225m payroll when that gets you a 90 win team is just malpractice, and a failure to understand what marginal wins are.
nik
I hope Reinsdorf has bad gas all month.
Mets fan CA
Reinsdorf was the no vote…big suck up to Drug-Rod and his lady…should be looking out for the long term health of the Mets rather than a syndicate that has more layers than an onion.
AngelDiceClay
Looie,
There’s not enough lol’s in the world to complete this response.
bobtillman
I keep telling you folks that Cohen has a silent partner. Spring Training will be in Mara Lago next year. .
PitcherMeRolling
Why would one of the richest people in the world need a silent partner that’s broke?
MoRivera 1999
And one who would never stay silent. The tweets would never end.
alproof
That’s imbecilic
nik
Why do you keep telling us folk something stupid?
MetsFan22
Y’all dont realize how much the wilpons were at fault for the Mets downfalls. Next 5 years won’t be good for the NL. ( not saying Mets will win WS so calm down)
kodiak920
I think Thor’s health and the Dark Knight losing his ability to pitch is the biggest reason for the Mets downfall. Cespedes being hurt all the time didn’t help, either.
Noel1982
When the mets dominated mlb and won the pennant in 2015 the haters where quite but since then it seems they have come back to do some playa hating
Noel1982
And lose mets fan with the royals win the World Series baloney, Mets fans prefer the National league championship over the exhibition that is the World Series if they had to choose a preference
kodiak920
Huh?
PitcherMeRolling
What? The World Series is much more important than the NL pennant. Also, if you win the World Series, you’ve won the NL pennant.
Orel Saxhiser
Dominated? They won 90 games, which was seventh in MLB and fifth in the NL. And they didn’t win the World Series. That went to the 95-win Royals. How exactly did the Mets dominate MLB?
VonPurpleHayes
2015 Mets were exciting and caught fire at the right time, but they didn’t dominate their division let alone the entire MLB. Very good time, but saying they “dominated”is a bit much.
LLGiants64
How does one own 8 percent of the club, then pay 2.345 billion to buy 95 percent?
YankeesBleacherCreature
By buying 87%.
JackStrawb
Or… by buying 95% of the remaining 92%.
Orel Saxhiser
I don’t think a hands-on owner will work in this day and age, with Middleton and Moreno being obvious examples. Cohen’s best approach would be hiring baseball people and letting them make the baseball decisions. Alderson is a start. Next up is a GM, which should mainly be Sandy’s decision.
JackStrawb
Alderson is a mediocrity. You want him to direct the handling of a hundred details, offer non-binding advice, and reassure ownership that your tenure will be conventional—nothing more
MWeller77
Under Alderson, the A’s won a title and 3 straight pennants, the Mets won a pennant (after cutting payroll), and the Padres won back-to-back division titles for the only time in franchise history. I submit that he is not a mediocrity
nik
Sandy is a f-ing genius. I don’t understand anyone who has a problem with that hire.
JackStrawb
@Cey Hey How well a hands-on owner does depends entirely on how smart the owner is, how willing he is to delegate wrt things he simply won’t be able to pick up, himself, such as in-person scouting, and how well his smarts adapt to some of the vagaries of building a team that contends year after year.
It can be done, but it’s not the kind of skill you can pick up in a single offseason.
Doug Dueck
“As someone who currently owns 8 percent of the Mets, Cohen’s already known around the league. He agreed in mid-September to purchase 95 percent of the club for around $2.475 billion.” This is part of the story as submitted by Connor Byrne.
If my math is correct the above sale had it gone through would have had Cohen owning 103% of the team. If someone can help me with this equation; I would be very appreciative .
Orel Saxhiser
Doug Dueck, do you have kids? They’re pretty good with this new math.
stymeedone
Wilpons sold all but 5%. That makes Cohen A 95% owner.
mets1536
The CLOWN WITH THE CHISOX
mets1536
Mets Need to fix the Rotation which can be done in FA market and Trades (Lance Lynn).
VonPurpleHayes
Trades is the key here. You can’t just buy an entire rotation. The Mets need to move some pieces. I don’t think they’re that far off, but we’ll see. I think they need to focus on pitching and cf, rather than making the big Realmuto splash, but it depends if Cohen wants to be smart or make headlines.
JackStrawb
The Mets can and should buy the 3 starters they need for 2021. They don’t have anyone close, so if they wait for someone to come up through the farm they’ll be waiting until 2025.
Cohen isn’t going to wait that long–and shouldn’t.
jk
this may be a silly question, but if cohen owned 8 percent, why would he agree to purchase 95 percent?
HubcapDiamondStarHalo
It’s not well worded. I’m pretty sure it should be “Cohen has agreed to raise his ownership stake from 8% to 95% of the team.”
jk
thanks for the clarification.
jim stem
At least two starting pitchers, maybe even three, Realmuto and a true center fielder. This along with an overhaul of the bullpen. I’m not really sure what the Mets have left in trade bait and I think he’ll wait on dealing minor leaguers after the Diaz/Cano fallout.
JackStrawb
3 SPs minimum this offseason, cheat at catcher by emphasizing defense there, snag a 4th OFer who specializes in defense, and find half a bullpen somehow. That already puts payroll north of $230 million.
The Mets are an aging team. Since they’ll only contend in 2021 through FA and will therefore only get older this offseason. The last thing they need is to pay $25m a year for a 30 yo catcher when even the greats at the position often have their last great year at 30-31, and their last good year around 32. .
nik
How are they aging outside of Degrom & Cano? Everyone is under 30. lol Two starters, a solid catcher and an analytics department will set us up really well.
Tom1968
Why are you ppl in love with realmuto?a 30 yr old thats developing hip problems is not the answer…how abiut DRAFTING CATCHERS THAT CAN PLAY
JohnChasse
YES! 100% YES!!!
I can remember how Mets fans rode Gary Carter and Mike Piazza out of town because they had the nerve to (GASP!) get old. Every five years, if I were in charge of a baseball team, I’d draft the best catcher available to keep the pipeline fresh, and if I caught lightning in a bottle and grabbed a potential Hall of Famer, I’d strongly recommend he consider a new position for my team when he turned 30 (if not before). If he turns out to be just all right, I’d trade him for whatever I need and bring up my next draft pick.
JackStrawb
The problem with “drafting catchers that can play” is the problem with “drafting players that can play”—namely that most draftees don’t end up being able to play, let alone start.
As for why people love Realmuto, it’s because he’s a 4-5 win catcher in an era when catching is an extremely weak position. He’s not a superstar, but he’s a terrific ballplayer, roughly equivalent among C’s to George Springer among CFer’s.
nik
He’s also right near the age catchers fall apart.
Lemonade24
What is this news about the mayor having to approve Cohen? Since the city owns the property where citi field is at. They better not even start that crap!
VonPurpleHayes
The worst-case scenario outlined here seems unlikely, but hilarious as all the Mets fans are already counting on their team making a big FA splash (which they should be justifiably excited about).
Johhos
Why does DeBlasio have to approve of the ownership switch ?
And why wouldn’t he want to do so?
YankeesBleacherCreature
The city owns Citi Field and the land which it is on.
YankeesBleacherCreature
Really a non-story with Cohen and Mayor DeBlasio. It would be irresponsible of him and the city not to do a through background check on Cohen for the lease transfer.
VonPurpleHayes
Agreed, but I will say, it’s not a stretch that this ends up being problematic. Cohen has narrowly avoided a few insider trading scandals. While he has managed to keep his hands relatively clean, he’s been surrounded by quite a lot of dirt.
I think all will be fine, and Mets fans will be very happy, but I would not be shocked if some past dirt gets dug up yet again.
YankeesBleacherCreature
I totally get it. He’s a gamer of systems. A person of his stature is probably well-connected enough where knows there’s a high chance he gets clearance of the sale. He’s also spent a good deal of money during the pre-acquisition phase.
marcfrombrooklyn
It really depends upon the language in the lease. My concern would be that it mirrors language in many city leases and contracts and to approve Cohen would open the door for every questionable bidder on leases and contracts to insist that the Cohen lease assignment means they can’t be debarred and threatening to sue if they are. There are plenty of construction contractors and real estate developers who want to do business with the city but may not be allowed to because of similar criminal backgrounds involving associated businesses and employees but not the principal. We’ll see how this works out. I hope the mayor follows the advice of the city’s lawyers rather than making a political decision.
MetsFan22
Non story. People like to do this to the Mets and make a story and make them look bad.
VonPurpleHayes
I wouldn’t call it a non-story, as it’s completely factual. But I do agree that the doom-and-gloom outcome alluded to will likely never happen. I think the Mets will be fine, and they will be in on some big FAs this offseason.
jvent
If they can sign Bauer and maybe Paxton the rotation can be good,
DeGrom,Bauer,Paxton,Lugo and Peterson than I would sign Springer over Realmuto (30 yr old C) how much longer can he catch
Sign Liam Hendricks to be the closer
Trade Matz, and Ali Sanchez To the Red Sox for Christian Vazquez
kodiak920
Just that quick, just that easy.
Hudson6
So just the top free agent starter, the top 2 position players and the top relief pitcher and the Mets are good? Done. Start buying 2021 playoff tickets.
MetsFan22
Mets probably get 2 good pitchers and realmuto.. that’s probably good enough to come other imo
ShieldF123
Whatever you’re smoking, pass it over here
slider32
Mets have fallen behind the other teams in the division when it comes to minor league prospects.
MetsFan22
Not the Phillies and Nats lol. Not saying the nets have a better farm. Just all 3 are about the same
VonPurpleHayes
You’re definitely right about the Phillies farm. In fact, I’d say the Mets system may be better.
MetsFan22
As a Mets fan our farm is nothing to brag about either. We have some nice pieces but the depth is really bad.
kodiak920
Nats have some decent pitching prospects at the lower levels, but after that it is a barren wasteland. Mets, Phillies, and Nats farms are pretty sparse at the moment.
Bounty Hunters IA
Why does the useless mayor have to sign off on the ownership change? How is it his business at all?
Bill
Because they’re selling the stadium and the city owns the land.
Greg M
I speak fluent De Blasio so please allow me to interpret…”Mr. Cohen – You still have a couple dry hands in this city that are in desperate need of some grease.”
heater
Why does the mayor even have a say?
ShieldF123
Becuase Citi Field is on land that is classified as a “City Park” and contractually the city has rights through a lease agreement with the Mets.
emt126
De Blaise kills everything. Senior citizens, economy, now baseball
kodiak920
How does DeBlasio have any say, as regards to the sale of a private enterprise, when the buyer already owns part of said enterprise?
callingoutdummies247
The city owns the land and the team owns the building. The team leases the land from the city. They’re trying to use a clause in the lease to block the sale. According to the post the Wilpons hired two separate law firms to look into this and neither found an issue. However NYC’s mayor is an idiot and I think he’d go out of his way to make this as hard as possible and tie the sale up in courts
HalosHeavenJJ
Thank you. I was wondering the same thing.
kodiak920
Thanks for explaining.
bravegator
Question for Mets fans. Do you trade Degrom and replenish the farm and fill some holes or do you hang onto Degrom and hope with money coming off the books new ownership spends wisely and gets a competitive team on the field in 2021
VonPurpleHayes
This is a no-brainer. The division and wildcard are right there for any team to take. Yes, the Braves are clearly the cream of the crop, but the Nats squeaked in and won the World Series in 2019. The Mets can do the same. deGrom isn’t going anywhere.
mlbnyyfan
I would definitely trade DeGrom for a boatload of prospects he’s not getting any younger. If he was 5 years younger I would say keep him. They won’t make a deal with the Yankees but a team like the Rays with lots of young talent could use DeGrom to push them over the top.
Ducky Buckin Fent
But you would also trade Judge, Gleyber, & Sanchez for one year of Lindor lol. So there’s definitely that.
🙂
MetsFan22
You keep people like Degrom.. if the Mets had no talent maybe you could talk me into it… but I just saw a team like the rays make the WS. I’m not losing hope. Ik the rays have a elite bullpen but still…
MetsFan22
The rays are very good. But they outperform their talent from being a very smart organization is all I’m trying to say
looiebelongsinthehall
My guess is De blah is looking to get something financially from Cohen for his ok. Given the mess most cities are in, it’s not a bad play as long as he doesn’t get too greedy. If Cohen backs out again, the Mets are in worse shape due to the Wilpons’ need to restructure their debt. They have money tied up in the Belmont project and other real estate holdings are likely taking a beating. If the Mets aren’t sold, this cold be Madoff 2.0 and that would be worse for NYC. Thus, I see a small concession by Cohen and the deal gets done.
mlbnyyfan
I’m not trading for one year of Lindor. He would sign long term with the Yankees. Look at what Betts did for the Dodgers at the top of that lineup. Don’t underestimate the speed in a player.
mlbnyyfan
@Ducky you hate every suggestion I make. Haha
Dorothy_Mantooth
Welcome back to the show, A-Rod & J-Lo!
SJKinMD
The article doesn’t seem to explain why the mayor’s approval is necessary. I assume it has something to do with the stadium/lease.
Larry David's Joe Pepitone Jersey
Yes, it has to do with the Citi Field lease agreement, as the stadium is on land leased from the city.
One of the stipulations in the lease prohibits a sale to somebody who has been convicted of a felony or controlled a person who was convicted of a felony. This post is a bit inaccurate in that Cohen himself wasn’t charged or convicted of anything, but there was insider trading at his company that resulted in one of his employees being charged and convicted.
bjhaas1977
Don’t think he was convicted. He settled
Larry David's Joe Pepitone Jersey
Cohen reached a settlement with the SEC, but he himself wasn’t charged with anything. My understanding (which could be inaccurate) is that the felony convictions of employees at his firm are a more direct issue relative to the lease agreement.
bleedblueandorange
He is pointing to a provision in the lease that prevents a transaction with a “prohibited person.” A prohibited person includes not just an individual who was convicted of a felony, but anyone “who controls any person or entity that has been convicted of a felony”.
ShieldF123
Cohen’s company was involved in insider trading and payed a 1.8 billion dollar fine. Yes you read that right, 1.8 billion. 8 employees were also convicted but, surprise, the real money behind the company settled via a civil action and avoided a conviction.
In simpler terms, Cohen was guilty but paid his way out of it.
Orel Saxhiser
Fans are okay with people who do terrible things, so long as they are wearing “our” uniform. You can bet Mets fans would feel differently about Cohen’s transgressions if he was trying to buy the Phillies or Yankees. If it’s wrong for them, then it should also been wrong for us. I am experiencing this right now with the Dodgers. The day after they won their first World Series in 32 years, there is no joy in my Mudville. Karma for berating the Astros and their fans, I reckon.
whyhayzee
Pretty sure the guy who bought the yankees was a convicted criminal. And then there’s this chestnut:
On July 30, 1990, Steinbrenner was banned permanently from day-to-day management (but not ownership) of the Yankees by MLB Commissioner Fay Vincent for paying a gambler named Howard Spira $40,000 to dig up “dirt” on Winfield.
findingnimmo
And the Wilpons weren’t criminals too? Come one man (as biden would say)
rct
Is there a less popular person in politics than de Blasio? Even something as simple as this, he needs to get involved and do the most unpopular thing possible. Even the most hated politicians on either side of the aisle still have ardent supporters. I have never even heard of someone praising de Blasio.
Ask any New Yorker who remotely cares about baseball (Yankees fan, Mets fan, etc) and they’d trade the Wilpons for Cohen in a heartbeat. Please get out of the way, Bill.
Larry David's Joe Pepitone Jersey
de Blasio knows that he can pretty much do whatever he wants, since he can’t run again and can’t be recalled.
findingnimmo
He has been doing whatever he wanted to this whole time
csalko
I know it’s easy to jump on these billionaires. Especially hedge fund guys and when you hear that they did something illegal you assume the worst. I work for one of the largest hedge funds in the world. I’m an IT Project Manager, but you still have to take this induction course with the compliance department when you start at the firm. There is about 10 minutes dedicated to Cohen in it. He had two charges against him, but the insider trading specifically, here is what happened…
There was a junior investment team member at Cohens firm who had friend from college who worked at a company and his buddy texted or dm or messenger him inside information and then the kid acted on it and made an investment. That’s it. A dumb kid with a college buddy who got some inside info. People never want to hear the truth. It’s much easier to assume he was Hitlers accountant. I just wanted to throw this out there for perspective
jorge78
Thanks for the inside scoop!
Tom1968
My advice to mayor moron is to keep going on doing what you do well. Destroying nyc to the point of no return…signed a nyc resident
findingnimmo
Amen
warnbeeb
nypost.com/2020/10/29/bill-de-blasio-asserts-contr…
What does DeBlasio want?
Tom1968
To totally destroy nyc.
findingnimmo
Already has!
carlos15
If deBlasio holds this up Cohen should sue him personally and destroy him