After weeks of speculation, the Mets have hired their new manager. New York announced on Monday that they’ve hired veteran skipper Buck Showalter. It’s reportedly a three-year contract that’ll go down as the largest investment in a manger in franchise history, topping the $9.4MM earned by Art Howe.
“Buck has been one of the best baseball minds for the last two decades and he makes teams better,” owner Steve Cohen said in the team’s statement. “We have a lot of talent on this team and Buck is the right manager to take us to the next level and lead us to sustained success. I am excited he is our new manager.”
It had already been reported that Showalter had advanced past the initial pool of candidates and moved onto the second round of interviews for the managerial opening. This represents another close call at helming a dugout for the other two finalists, Tampa Bay’s Matt Quatraro and Houston’s Joe Espada. Despite reverence around the league for the latter two coaches, industry insiders quickly tabbed Showalter as the frontrunner for the Mets position.
The veteran skipper will now take over a Mets dugout that has been something of a revolving door since Terry Collins’ seven-year run as manager ended after the 2017 season. Mickey Callaway was fired after two seasons, and following the short-lived hiring of Carlos Beltran, bench coach Luis Rojas took over the manager’s mantle heading into 2020.
The past two seasons saw Rojas sport a 103-119 record, a disappointing sum for a team with so much star power. While Rojas can hardly be pinned as the sole reason for the team’s struggles (the cross-town Yankees promptly hired Rojas as a coach following his dismissal, speaking to his abilities), he did oversee a collapse this past season. After spending 114 days in first place, the Mets were no longer able to weather injuries and under-performance, ultimately limping to a third place finish in their division.
While Rojas, Beltran, and Callaway were first-time MLB managers, Showalter is a known commodity. Over the course of 20 seasons and 3069 games, Showalter sports a .506% winning percentage and has taken home Manager of the Year hardware with three different clubs (1994 Yankees, 2004 Rangers, 2014 Orioles).
While Showalter has never won a World Series as a manager, many around the league have cited his leadership skills as a reason teams become postseason contenders. Most recently, during his 2010-2018 run with Baltimore, Showalter helped turn a rebuilding club into one of the American League’s winningest teams. After a 69-win inaugural full season with the club, Showalter quickly saw the team post non-losing records in the next 5 seasons. The Orioles made the playoffs three times during that stretch, including once as a first place team— no small feat considering the financial powerhouses that reside in the AL East.
It’s been some time since Showalter managed one of those very powerhouses, last managing the Yankees in 1995. Improbably, he’ll now helm a team with even greater resources at its disposal. In a series of win-now moves, the Mets have launched their 2022 payroll to new heights. RosterResource pegs the Mets to open next season with a franchise-high $263MM payroll, a number that is handily the highest in all of baseball, and was more astonishingly reached with months (and plenty of free agents) left in the offseason.
With the likes of Max Scherzer, Starling Marte, Mark Canha, and Eduardo Escobar already joining the Mets this offseason it’s become imminently clear the NL’s New York club isn’t content to idle under .500. Pair these additions with star holdovers Jacob deGrom, Brandon Nimmo, Francisco Lindor, and Pete Alonso and the Mets are teeming with top-shelf talent. That collection of players, plus all of the other bounce-back talent on the roster, will give the team’s new manager plenty of firepower to claim a division that has belonged to Atlanta the past four years.
In the ensuing weeks Showalter will round out his coaching staff, while the Mets may still add players to their club after the lockout is lifted. Whatever changes are made before the 2022 season starts however, many pundits and fans will point to this hiring as the team’s key move of the offseason. Hiring a widely-respected stabilizer may be just what the Mets need to capitalize on their potential and get to the postseason for the first time since 2016.
Jon Heyman of the MLB Network reported Showalter’s deal was a three-year contract. Mike Puma of the New York Post reported the deal was the largest for a manager in franchise history.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
I figured, congrats to Buck and good luck … you’ll need it!
Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
Buck makes a lot of cents.
Likely dollars
The Buck stops here. ☠️
Buck is a veteran manager whose style and resume are well known. No need for the players to be be hesitant because the Mets hired another rookie manager. Buck will be “The Guy” from the get go, and the players will know he’s not going to be looking over his shoulder worrying about job security or being stabbed in the back.
Good move by the Mets. Now find a way to stay healthy and the NL East could be a real donnybrook among the Braves, Phillies and Mets.
Buck off!!
You’ll need it?… lol I guess about 25 other teams need more luck
Didn’t you spend an entire season complaining that “if the Mets hadn’t been so injured…?” Sounds like luck is exactly what he’ll need.
You’ll guys will need the luck for us to get injured again. Fixed it for us. I hope y’all sign freeman so at least you make it within 5 games this year.
Love the braves fans who get lucky and sneak out 1 title in 20 yrs yet now talk as if they didn’t spend most of the last 2 decades choking at every big chance they had ♂️ Braves are so overrated and we know that the next 20 yrs choking is all they will be good at ♂️
Fact is Mets and Phillies again best case scenario will be battling it out all year to be the first team to just narrowly miss the playoff field
LOL — they win it all and still considered chokers….lol! A player gets to the Mets and they have career-lows. A players gets to the Braves and they rejuvenate their career and put up career numbers. Hmm….Braves last 2 years are the only NL team to be able to match up against LAD (MLB’s richest and possibly deepest team), but sure, luck.
Last Mets title involved Buckner’s momentum-turning 10th inning slow roller between the legs to win the game for NYM and force a G7. But sure, no luck there.
I don’t think you understand what the word “fact” means, Noel
Not a single Braves team between 2004 and 2018 was talented enough to win a championship. Say what you will about 1991-1996 because that was their true window for championships. They definitely had enough talent and opportunities to win three championships in those six years but they only won one. I admit that they underachieved. The Yankees dynasty came around after that though. Then Atlanta’s “big three” started getting old and injured and then two of them left by the end of 2003. The 2002 and 2003 teams had great lineups so maybe they could have won a title one of those years but it didn’t happen. Losing to a better team in the postseason is not “choking.” It’s simply losing. There is a difference. The 2019 and 2020 (fake season) teams were far more talented than any team between 2004 and 2018 but they didn’t have the experience that they had this year. Those losses made them stronger and they won it all in 2021. By the way, the Mets haven’t won a championship since 1986. I wouldn’t call the Braves winning a championship “getting lucky” when they consistently put competitive teams on the field. This just happened to be their year.
“Not a single Braves team between 2004 and 2018 was talented enough to win a championship”
” I wouldn’t call the Braves winning a championship “getting lucky” when they consistently put competitive teams on the field. This just happened to be their year.”
sounds like they didnt do that great based on what you are saying
Also this century the mets have been to the NL championship just as many times as the Braves with the mets making it to the world series 2 times to the braves 1. It just so happens braves won it. I would consider 2020 and 2021 more asterick seasons because of covid and because of 2020 short season there were tons of injuries for all teams including the braves. Because of this no team really could live up to their potential.
2020 is definitely an asterisk season but 2021 is not. Sure, the seven-inning doubleheaders and the extra-innings rule are both stupid rules but those rules only affect a small percentage of the games.
Every Braves postseason team between 2004 and 2018 lost to a better team. The Astros were better in 2004 and 2005, the Giants were better in 2010 (definitely as far as pitching goes), the Cardinals were a more experienced team in 2012 and the 2013 and 2018 Dodgers were both better on paper than the Braves.
No one cares about how many times the Mets went to the World Series because they lost. The Braves went to FIVE World Series in the ’90s and people call them choke artists because they only won one of them. I would rather have one appearance and one championship than two appearances and zero championships.
Crazies in Camden, does that mean you’re an Orioles fan? Braves have won 2 WS since Orioles in 1983.
How is 2021 an asterisk season?
LOL! MetsFan22, MLBTR’s broken record. Keeps making his stupid predictions and gets his hopes smashed every time.
@CraziesinCamden
The difference is at least they were there to “choke” as you assert.
But there’s one thing I’ll never forget as long as i live.
youtube.com/watch?v=U5i4vE5kxXE
You can talk all you want.
Atlanta Braves 2021 World Series Champions, congrats! Best team for 2022, no guarantee. The year after……..2012 Cardinals 88-74, 2013 Giants 76-86, 2014 Red Sox 71-91, 2015 Giants 84-78, 2016 Royals 81-81, 2017 Cubs 92-70, 2018 Astros 103-59, 2019 Red Sox 84-78, 2020 Nationals 26-34. 10 years, only the 2012 Cardinals, 2017 Cubs, & 2018 Astros even made the playoffs!! Soler, Pederson and Rosario are gone, who knows what re-introducing Ozuna to the clubhouse will do? Or if Acuna has matured mentally? Braves, Mets, Marlins or Phillies have enough talent to win the division on paper, they just need to do it on the field. nationals……no, I’m sorry, but that’s tough even for an optimist to imagine.
@WampumWalloper
You seem to have forgotten that the Braves won the NL East in 2018, 2019 and 2020 (fake season) as well. Soler, Pederson and Rosario weren’t on any of those teams. No one is guaranteeing that they’ll win back-to-back World Series but to act like they have almost no chance of winning the division again is just idiotic.
And in game 1 of the 86 WS a routine groundball scooted under the glove of Teufel at 2B to score the winning run. Both teams benefitted by miscues..
@48, “no chance” where did that come from? The Braves have just as much of a shot at the division as the Phillies, Marlins and Mets. The only team I discounted was the Nationals. I guess it’s possible that Strasburg could come back and pitch out of his mind and Soto could be his typical monster self, but the rest of the cast does not look like they can compete. Braves are strong, tough not to love Freeman-Albies-Swanson-Riley, best IF in baseball I think anyway. Fried, Morton, Anderson and Soroka back at mid season, sweet rotation. No beef here with the Braves. The last 10 WS winners overall havent fared well the next year, but the Braves could well be the division winner. I Just think repeating is tough, in the free agent era, only the 77-78 Yankees, 92-93 Blue jays and the 98-99-2000 Yankees. If the Braves can join that group Hats off!
The Nats may have one of worst infields ever assembled.
I would love for them to repeat but honestly if they just win one more World Series by 2025 then I’ll be thrilled. I want more titles but I’m not going to freak out if they don’t win every single year like Yankees fans do. I would gladly take a World Series title once every five years.
The season is a long way from starting and I’m already embarrassed of you.
There’s at least seven, probably closer to a dozen Pirates’ infields since 2000 that are worse.
Mets fans know the word chocking all too well.
Noel
That is just silly, best case scenario is that Jacob and Max are healthy and start 32 games each and finish 1-2 in the Cy Young voting and Mets edge Atlanta for division and win it all.
But yes, Mets need a lot of luck because the likelihood of Jacob and Max starting over 60 games at the highest level of performance in 2022 is not good, even if the season starts on time.
chocking is what I do to the wheels of my truck when I park it on a hill. I think you choked on your spelling or you could just do what I do and blame it on autocorrect.
They were there to choke?? Lol you sound like the dumbest fan of them all! Congrats on that title you can shove it right next to this yrs title and enjoy those for the rest of your life because that’s the last time you will see the braves win anything. Orioles will win a title before the braves do. Braves won’t get past mets anytime soon either. But take it to the bank Orioles win a WS before the Braves win another. And rhe Orioles may not win for the next 20 yrs so imagine the braves then… who will even remember the braves when they get buried in the NL East for the foreseeable future? Lol not I
Sounds like you are new to baseball. Welcome. Get ready to see your team be garbage for years to come. What a sorry take you had there bro. Give you a C- for effort tho!
Shorter turnaround than normal, tripling a workload from the season before and changing baseballs midseason or between different games (look up the shortage supply of baseballs), removing something that while illegal was commonplace (ticky tack) at the time for many pitchers which all of the above caused more injuries than normal.
Am I saying the braves win is an asterick no because everyone dealt with it but if you are comparing it to a prior season other than 2020 there are a lot of things you are not accounting for. Would Max have had the dead arm, would degrom have gone down with his injury, would the il be so full with strains and muscle issues through out the season especially midseason to down the stretch. i would add acuna to the list but if i remember right his was more a freak injury than a strain when he was lost for the season.
Sure does take a lot of luck to win the division 4 years straight and make it to the championship series two years in a row. Then, win the World Series without your best player. But ok, we’ll enjoy our “lucky” championship.
When did your Mets win it all. I thought the Mets always looked up to their daddy, The Yankees
And they’ll win two more before our next one. Is what it is. I tell folks the last the Os won a series was the year I was born. I figure the next one will be the year I die. And I’m not planning on dying any time soon.
Hall of Famer Don Sutton was in AAA when the Dodgers won the WS in 1965. Sutton played in LA from 1966-1980 without a WS title. He left via free agency to go to Houston after the 1980 season. In 1981 the Dodgers won the World Series.
Disagree. Dodgers won 106 games. Then beat a division winner than won 107 in the first round and made it to the NLCS. That’s faring well.
@RJNarvick disagree with what? Sutton was an unbelievably consistent winner for very talented teams that won numerous division titles and made it to the WS 3 times. But the Dodgers won the WS the year before he got there and 15 years later, the year after he left. The point is, no matter how talented a team is, sometimes you need a little luck, right time right place.
Is the jones the player or a wanna be
i dont see how the likely hood is not good. outside of 2020 scherzer has pitched 27 games or more each season for over a decade and if you exclude 2019 its 31
degrom since he became degoat outside of this season where he came back from the low 2020 workload was a guaranteed every 5th day unlike pretty much every other mets pitcher.
How’s that Robinson canoe trade work out? Brody van wagon where are you? Now managing the the Mets and gm ….replaced numerous times before the season even starts. Can’t even beat the royals, where’s the next Mets maddux and glavine, all to the tommy John surgery list, top 5 in starting pitching and nothing for degrom and thor. this could go on and on.
de Grom got hurt swinging the bat. though.
I think we can all agree that if Jacob and Max are completely healthy for all of 2022 that the Mets will be a very good and dangerous team that could go all the way. And I think that we can all agree that if both Jacob and Max are injured the majority of the season the Mets will falter. The real question is how far could the Mets go with one of the two pitchers healthy most of the season, say Max, but the other out most of the season, say Jacob. In that scenario, I see Atlanta repeating as division winner and the Mets in 2nd fighting for a wild card. But even as a wild card, Mets could go far if Jacob and Max were healthy come playoff time. But these are all huge “ifs” and Mets have all of their eggs in a single proverbial basket.
It would hysterical, if Cohen steals Freeman away from the Braves, by presenting him with a blank check to sign. Like Cohen really cares about the salary cap…Lol…
You’re back! Where have you been bud?
He’s returned now that he’s officially out of the running for manager. That or he’s Steve Cohen’s alt account.
@tstats. I think Cohen spent enough money for MetsFan22 to have confidence again. =))
Was just with your mom the past few days sorry I didn’t have a chance to get back to you earlier
Let me guess, the Mets are the best team in the NL east this upcoming season, correct?
Why are you limiting it just to the East? Try the NL.
Why are you limiting it to the NL?
Mets fans talking smack to the current World Series champions whom they’ve never been able to beat is peak Mets fans.
Right? How oblivious can one be?
It’s literally one fan who we don’t claim. I wish he would stop commenting because I love this site and everyone here hates Mets fans because of metsfan22 smh.
Why are we limiting it to baseball?
It’s just ONE fan. Not plural, one. This Met fan acknowledges that clearly the Braves are the best right now. Don’t judge us all by one poster.
Why are you limiting it to baseball?
Edit: I see that’s been done already.
Why are you limiting it to only be posted once?
@Cosmo2 It’s not just 1 fam and 1 poster though. It’s on WFAN all day too. The fans are already lining up for the parade.
Well, listening to sports radio is a mistake. I’d avoid it entirely and comment here based on what goes on here, not on that knuckle dragging cesspool.
Jeeez that’s a pretty good point, @kid.
It seems the only limits we can place on the mets are those we find within ourselves. Heavy stuff.
Now there’s a winning comment!
@Von WFAN callers are just as annoying as Francessa. Ignorant and ‘clutch’ obsessed.. and jealous of the Yankees. It’s unfortunate that speaks for so many of us.
@Crazies in Camden – Literally a few hours after you said this former Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez promoted to O’s bench coach. LOL. Good luck with that.
You celebrate the end of Chris Davis’ contract.
We celebrate championships.
I love Buck but he fell on his face the last couple years in Baltimore. No guarantee he can turn this team around.
Mets, you’re the most delusional person I’ve seen on any sports thread.
Not really
Congratulations to Buck Showalter and the Mets! Buck will be the best manager in NY.
Buck is the only manager that would intentionally walk a guy with 2 outs, bases loaded and up by 2 in bottom of ninth. Gutless wonder.
@statman……um….but it worked. Yes, Buck walked Barry Bonds with the bases loaded and a 2 run lead in the 9th inning with 2 outs on May 28, 1998. The next batter, Brent Mayne lined out to center and the Diamondbacks won. Gutless? No. Genius? Maybe. The best decision in that spot? absolutely.!
If Bonds was the hitter and you have confidence that your pitcher will throw strikes, it may well be the right call!
Metsfan22, the Mets just became a playoff team with this hiring. Good for them
Although… Max Scherzer and Starling Marte are Mets….
Gotta tout the Mets as NL East favorites right now. Buck has to hope his team can stay healthy. Good health is something that has eluded the Mets time and time again, especially with key players.
Probably the best hire they could make.
Let’s see how they manage to Mets it up
Seems like they’re not Metsing things up anymore, Larry
Not a comment you can make in the off-season… Last time the Mets actually played baseball, they were Metsing it up.
If we were to define “Metsing” it would be to make good moves on paper and then fail
Were the moves good on paper? I’d argue that, for example, the Lindor signing was ill advised from the start. Popular moves, yes. Good on paper? Not my paper.
They only play Golf with Calloway drivers
Mets are going to do Mets things.
It’s by far the best move the Mets have made since Cohen bought the team.
Great hire
-An Orioles Fan
Great hire, if he’s evolved.
-Also Orioles Fan
Buck Showalter in the 25th Century. Attack of the Cohens.
As an Orioles diehard, I don’t think Buck was the problem with the Orioles. But I’ll digress…
@eric e. Britton is yelling at you from the bullpen in the wildcard game
Oof. I’d forgotten about that.
@DimitriInLA
What does this mean? Does he need to be something new?
Yes, I think he needs to adapt to the modern game. One of the things that makes him a great manager is his conviction — but this can also get him into trouble, in the age of analytics. He is very individually minded and baseball has become much more collaboratively minded.
I may be remembering this wrong, but wasn’t Buck blasted for sticking to his analytical models instead of doing things like bringing in Britton? All that time most people were complaining that analytics were his whole problem.
Don’t think there was any data suggesting to hold your best pitcher back in the event you take the lead
I detest my manager.
– A Yankees fan
Finally, congrats to Buck Showalter. Hope you finally get your ring.
He isn’t married?
Larry, you’re a clown
Laaaaaa-rry
That stupid chant hurt Chipper so badly he named a son Shea. That was awesome on Chipper. Chipper loved hitting at Shea.
Chipper was a great sport and Met fans really respected him for it. Stupid chant? It was a form of taunting affection for an incredibly worthy opponent who loved hitting at Shea and there was a mutual respect there. Met fans loved to “hate” him and he loved playing the villain. I think you’re misinterpreting it and, forgive me, but you need to loosen up about it a bit. Chipper did. No one thought it actually “hurt” him (the occasional idiot Met fan aside, but they just missed the point as well).
With all these “unclaimed children” he has, apparently Larry never had a lonely night?
Chipper did name his kid Shea.
Yes he did. .313 with a .964 OPS. Larry LOVED Shea.
Buck is a good pick. He seems chill.
Chill isn’t a requirement for a Managerial position!
Baseball Acumen is!
Thx Mr Baseball traveling man for your insight ⚾️
Chill actually is. See Ozzie Guillen’s managerial tenures for my argument.
That’s a good point.
Joe Torre seemed make the chill vs. acumen dynamic work
Congratulations, Cosmo. I think he is the best manager (or at least right near the top) the Mets could’ve hired, even based on their initial candidate pool. I think Buck will do a great job.
Pretty sure Buck has the baseball acumen also…
Multiple people are replying to his tweet asking him who his source is hahahahaha.
The Buck has stopped here. Mets fans have to be happy with this hire.
Thrilled. Still need to make a few moves though.
Agreed. Nice hire, but they need at least one more SP and preferably some relief help too
Yea 100% in agreement and though not required, I feel like a bat to slot in behind Alonso in the 5 hole would be huge. What’s their lineup now?
Nimmo -RF
Marte – CF
Lindor – SS
Alonso – 1B
Escobar – 3B
Canha – LF
McNeil (Cano?) – 2B
DH
McCann – C
Really feels like it falls off after Alonso. And I guess you can rotate Marte and Nimmo since Nimmo has a great eye, that gives Marte the ability to cause havoc on the base paths.
Would say Dom Smith is DH. Let JD Davis spell him against tough lefties. Canha is a solid hitter and McNeil has shown he can really hit. I think Cano may be released at some point early on unless he somehow makes them reconsider with his offense. I still don’t think this is an elite offense but solid with good pitching and Buck is outstanding at managing a bullpen. Should be a vast improvement
Canha and Escobar have good bats. Trust me Eduardo has plagued the dodgers
Definitely McNeil over Cano. They need an upgrade at 3B. But the lineup doesn’t really fall off… Canha gets on base and McNeil has been a great hitter outside of last year.
Cano released makes me laugh, steroids or not Nelson Cruz hit at an elite level until he’s 40, Ortiz until he’s 40, Bonds kept hitting until he was blackballed out of the game.
You can be “off the stuff” and still hit until you need to go back on the stuff. A-Rod came back after his biogensis suspension and hit in 2015, in 2016 he hit a wall but he already provided the Yankees with lots after his year long suspension.
Cano might be the best hitter on the Mets if he repeats his 2020 form. He’ll be a fine DH.
Maybe they’ll sign Bryant to play 3b, put Escobar at 2b, Cano as DH and McNeil can backup 2b and LF
It’s impossible to say if Cano will be their best hitter. He’s 40 and off the juice. Nellie Cruz being able to hit after that doesn’t really mean jack. That’s 1 person who could do it. I’d bet most can’t. He’s a total wildcard.
Cano is not going to be the best hitter on the Mets. That’s just an absurd take right there.
Even if they sign Bryant it makes no sense to play Escobar over McNeil. McNeil is the far superior player. They don’t really need an upgrade at 3B, I’m just hoping for one but Bryant will cost too much. McNeil/Davis at third, Cano/Escobar at 2nd, Smith at DH, or some combo like that is really fine. I just don’t want to rely too much on Escobar or Cano.
C McCann
1B Alonso
2B McNeil
SS Lindor
3B Escobar
CF Marte
LF Canha
RF Nimmo
DH Smith/Davis/Cano
I agree no reason to sign Bryant. Maybe Chafin and Tepera?
Check Smith’s splits. He’s lethal against lefites, pretty pathetic against righties. I woke up a housemate at least once calling Mattingley an idiot for putting a lefty against Smith.
Those splits mean nothing. It’s a small sample size, too small to distinguish meaning from randomness. Smith, like all lefties, is at a disadvantage against lefty pitchers. The stats are just the randomness that occurs in small samples. Biggest mistake fans make with stats is not accounting for randomness. The second is putting too much weight upon small samples. Clearly Mattingly understands this.
jaysfan1994
you wrote: “Cano might be the best hitter on the Mets if he repeats his 2020 form. He’ll be a fine DH.”
His 2020 form was because he was on roids; the only way he can repeat this is to juice up again.
Bench him; not play him and be done with him
This is the right move for the Mets
So which cheap manager will A’s hire now? Probably between venable, espada, kotsay, quatraro. Probably kotsay since he’s already on the staff and familiarity
Most ‘insiders’ say it’s gonna be Kotsay.
Kevin Cash was a “cheap” manager. There’s safe picks and there’s what YOU call cheap picks. Buck was a safe pick.
Philip Wellman. At least the ejections will be entertaining.
Quatraro is ultimately the right choice
Casey Stengel
Billy Martin!
@Tomas7- Billy Martin is already managing the Angels, silly.
On this site they said it was down to Espada and Quatraro.
Nah they didnt.. the truth is your are just really bad at reading & comprehending lol
You were right as of the 11th
mlbtraderumors.com/2021/12/latest-on-as-manager-se…
and then apparently things changed.
mlbtraderumors.com/2021/12/as-to-hire-mark-kotsay-…
Cohen has all the money in the world and he picks Eppler and Showalter? Bottom of the AL must look great on a CV.
All the money in the world can’t force people to join a circus.
But it helps.
Enjoy it while you can. The Mets are building up their analytics, minor league, front office and MLB players. They will not be a circus for long.
They won’t be a joke much longer but they also are never gonna be some powerhouse like the dodgers
They never really were a joke. Middle of the pack, went to the WS six years ago or so… only a joke in the minds of haters
@Cosmo2 What makes them a joke is the market that they play in. When the Mariners, Rockies or Pirates don’t make the playoffs it isn’t a huge topic of conversation because they don’t play in the top markets. When teams in NY, LA, Chicago, Boston or Philadelphia aren’t performing then they’re going to get more criticism because they’re supposed to be in contention every single year.
You have a very warped misunderstanding of how this sport works.
We’re not talking about winning the World Series every year. That’s not realistic…but they should be in contention for a postseason spot most years and they aren’t. If they actually gave themselves enough chances then they might break through one of these years just like the Braves and Nationals did.
I just don’t agree that a big market team should be in it every year or they’re a joke. Money does not equal winning. I just don’t buy it.
Four postseason appearances in 21 legitimate seasons (plus one fake) this century is simply not good enough for a big-market team.
Sure. They are less successful than one would hope or expect. I’ll even give you that, under the Wilpons they behaved foolishly as an organization, but it’s a new day yesterday, new owner, the joke is over. In any case, it’s a sport where outcomes vary… are the Phillies a “joke”? It’s just a dumb way to look at things.
The Phillies are definitely a joke right now. They haven’t reached the postseason in 10 years in that big market. They had a good run from 2007-2011 and won a championship but that’s ancient history now.
Well I mean they’ve never won a WS ever but I still wouldn’t call them a joke.
It looks like the Mets will overpay for everything.
Both good pickups for a team that has money and talent, and can still build on that talent.
Like having Mike Trout or Manny Machado in their prime?
Machado is in his prime now clown sauce
he was darm good then too.
So who would you have hired if it were you?
Bob Melvin
You miss that he was already been hired a while back?
You’re hating so hard I can taste the salt in the air, clown
But did eppler and Showalter ever have the richest owner in sports?? With enough money anyone can be a winner. The giants? Yea they don’t got that. I can see where you would be salty about that lol
THE BUCK STOPS HERE!
Finally
Smart move. Hope Buck finally gets his ring.
This team is finaly going in the right direction
We all heard that last year too.
I mean, he’s competent and knows a thing or two about baseball. Not exactly Mr. Personality…not sure if I’ve ever seen this dude crack a smile. Serious fella. Good for the Mets …time for some stern no nonsense discipline.
Funny comment. You don’t know him at all.
That’s his name, @stevenam: Ignorant sonofab. Hes proud of his ignorance!
You’ve never seen him laugh? He does all the time when he’s on a studio show. He was also on Seinfeld.
All this drama just to finish 3rd?
I predict 2nd.
Behind the Phillies or Braves?
Braves.
So many predictions. I didn’t realize Nostradamus was on this site.
Atlanta, Mets, Phillies, Marlins, Nationals.
If both Jacob and Max each start 28 or more games, I think it will be very close between Atlanta and Mets.
If Jacob or Max is out half the season, but the other pitches 28 or more starts, I still think Mets will take second.
Mets are very improved, but Atlanta has Acuna and Ozuna returning. Acuna will be top five in MVP voting and Ozuna can DH.
One caveat! My Atlanta in first does assume that they will resign Freeman. It also assumes that the Mets are not done either.
Manny, I think your points reflect a very objective outcome. I will add one more qualifier: If Freeman comes back to ATL. I see a lot of posturing in articles about him leaving, although my opinion is that Freeman will be a Brave and retire as such.
Nonetheless, I agree, much depends on Max & JD pitching their full seasons.
If Freeman signs else where Atlanta won’t win the division.
This was my prediction for the division for the last 4 years.
Please, your team has literally been garbage for decades. Stop drinking the flouride
4 playoff appearances in 2 decades…Mets are as much of a joke
Lol a Brewers fan making jokes?? Guess when you havent won a thing in centuries and won’t win anything going forward, thay would probably make you salty to the point where you just talk nonsense just to talk nonsense. Interesting approach but at the end of the day Brewers are still nothing but lovers. Let’s be real, you can take that to the bank. Yelich is overrated and they don’t got much else. Sorry team with sorry resources.
Great hire. Huge Showalter fan here. The Yankees needed him but noooooo. He should never have been let go by the Yankees to start with. Really hope he can get McNeil back on track.
At the time it made sense. The relationship with him and George was fried beyond repair. Was a lot different baseball time too.
Anyway we can work out a cross town trade? Baboone and Dirty Sanchez for Buck?
Not sure is this is meant to goad, but you do know that Boone has a .600 winning percentage in his 4 years, correct? Hard to win games late in the year of your GM isn’t getting you solid pitching.
Ok we’ll throw in Cash too
Great move. Things are shaping up. I’m still not a fan of the spend on big names philosophy but certainly they’re going for it. We’ll see how it all works out.
They’ll have two first round picks this year. Maybe they’ll draft some college pitchers who are close to ready to offset some of the cost of the rest of the roster.
I don’t know about the 1st round if you’re talking compensation picks, but I can assure you that high draft picks don’t sign for $25,000 bonuses.
Nevertheless – it’s great to see all the enthusiasm from Mets fans here today.
Cosmo, they have the best of both worlds. Money to try to be competitive now & a focus on rebuilding the farm. Rather they do that than the tank & rebuild model that’s promoted on here so often.
Glad to see the Mets fans getting some good news finally.
Well I don’t think those are the only two choices but yea they are headed in a good direction. I’d just be more comfortable if they relied less on big names/big contracts cuz it remains to be seen how good they’ll be once the season gets under way. They won’t have much flexibility to adjust if things go wrong but thinks are looking better for sure.
Cosmo, I see the big name/big contract as a transition option while the farm gets developed.
The keen GM could trade current roster players for other MLB players that “fit” without disrupting the prospect talent.
If developing a pipeline is really a priority, free agents are the temporary fix while still generating fan interest & media attention.
Yea let’s hope that if adjustments are needed the team can make some keen trades. That would be a way to retain flexibility. I’m just used to modern trades being so often vets for prospects or the other way round; lateral trades seem so rare but, yea, that could work.
Buck was the Best choice from the start, having already had the experience of coaching across town for the Yankees, i.e. he’s knows the pressures that go along with NY media!!
Now the rest of the Baseball World can move on. Will be interesting what his coaching staff will look like.
Excited to have Buck and his leadership abilities leading this veteran team. Thank you Steve for letting this happen.
Congrats to Buck and the Mets. As a Nats fan, I always thought highly of Buck.
Ok , Sal can take it easy now! WFAN…. You’re fantastic.
Great move! A veteran mgr for a veteran ballclub now hire one of the two runners up as bench coach and groom them to replace Buck in 3 yrs. Their best managerial hiring since Randolph or Bobby V.
With the lockout, how are the Mets able to hire a manager? Do managerial hires not apply?
Nope. They only locked out the MLBPA. Coaches, front office staff, etc..are not part of the MLBPA so it’s business as usual for everyone except major league players and 40 man roster players.
Lol!!!!
Easy choice. Not the smart one, but the less risky. Nothing against Buck, but either of the other 2 would’ve been better able to relate with today’s player. I’ll miss him on ESPN.
No need for him to relate to “today’s” players. The players need to relate to the game. None of this coddling BS.
Really? Always better when the players respect other than fear the manager.
Really, alwaysgo4two? Buck’s not respected? Adam Jones would disagree.
I’m open minded, though. What are your experiences with the Mets players and Buck Showalter that you can make such statements that they can’t relate?
This is your reputation now. Make your response good.
Hey….take a breath. Are you Bucks kid? I was making a general basic statement about managers.
Buck is known to be a disciplinarian. Maybe he’s just what the Mets need, we’ll all soon find out.
Fits…….
Cohen wants high OPS.
Buck believes in 3 run HR’s.
Mets should put a shortened OF fence in Citi Field.
This is an entertaining hire for sure. Buck is known as a no-nonsense type of manager. I can’t wait to see what happens when he benches Lindor for a cold streak at the plate or a boneheaded base running decision. Get your popcorn ready!
Buck is getting once of the most talented teams he has ever been around.. a Championship is expected in his 3 years. Anything less is a failure.
Only way they get a Championship within 3 years is if MLB games are suddenly shortened to 6 innings. Great 6 inning team with their pitching/lineup.
I like the Mets pen. It was severely over worked last year due to starters not going deep. If the Mets grab another SP, I think they’re real solid.
He gets the most out of his teams and often beats the win projections each year so is a good hire for a team looking to compete for a 3-4 year window but keep him away from personnel and prospect decisions (especially pitching) and hope he’s learned his lesson with hiring pitching coaches that try to mess with deliveries too much – they ruined Gausman and Arrieta by messing with them and then traded them away for nothing and both went on to be Cy Young/All stars – not to mention giving up Eduardo Rodriguez, Zach Davies and Josh Hader for 2 month rentals.
Bud Norris wasn’t a rental . Buck wasn’t the GM too so I doubt he was the one making the decisions on deals.
Hopefully he learned to put your best pitcher on the field when it’s a do or die situation though.
I’m a little surprised. I was expecting Urban Meyer.
Nah, Cohen reads the newspapers even if not the scouting reports.
Finally.
Now put together a good coaching staff, get the players on board, figure out what’s wrong in that training room and start some winning habits.
You might be on to something. Their training staff and medical team might be more important than anything. I mean, how did they let McNeil run out there when his leg was bothering him, then he ends up with a pulled muscle? These guys pull more muscles than I did when I started playing softball again in my late 30’s.
It just amazes me that this team has SO many muscle injuries, year after year. They either train wrong or loosen up wrong.
Hitters hurt themselves swinging a bat and running the bases. I mean, how does that happen to pro athletes in their mid-20’s in the best shape of their lives? To me, I just have to think they aren’t doing enough pregame to properly heat up and stretch muscles.
Well, Conforto had a congenital defect so that’s why he got hurt from swinging the bat.
Now that was a no brainer. Good luck Buck.
This might be the wake up call Hal needed. Mets are about to take over baseball in NY and this is coming from a longtime Yankee fan. I was rooting for anyone besides Buck to take over.
This Mets team has talent. This is by far the best talent Buck has had to work with since the 95’ Yankees. If Cohen, Sandy and co. let this man do his job the way he sees fit they will be WS contenders. I’m just hoping the dysfunction of the Mets organization/fan base runs Buck right out of town.
WS contenders? They’ll be lucky to be WC contenders.
You’re likely right at this stage. The Mets have made a lot of additions, but they’ve been a losing team for the past two years, including an anemic 77-win season in 2021. Adding someone like Scherzer is great, but they also lost Stroman. The former was a 5.5 WAR pitcher, the later 3.5. Net gain of two wins. That means they’re up to 79! The other changes they made, and hopefully a full season from deGrom, has them up in the 88 range if I try to be optimistic, which I will be with Showalter. They’re still not good enough to win the division.
88 wins? I can’t see them winning more than 84 games until they prove it. 88 is giving them far too much credit after this stretch of horrendous seasons (2019 was better than most years though).
@48-win MLB, I’m still granting you that the Braves will win the division, and fairly easily. The Mets will be fighting to hold off the Phillies and the Marlins!
Good point. Once they prove they can win more than 84 games, then – and only then – will have proven that they can win more than 84 games.
OMG! Stop with WAR comparisons please! Adding 2 WAR doesn’t automatically translate into 2 more wins. There are so many other factors involved: chemistry, injuries, momentum, opponents, do you live up to your WAR, etc.
You don’t see anything more than 84 wins until they prove it? So, in other words, they’ll only win 84, unless they win more. Way to hedge your bets.
Absolutely, DJ-VJ, even the folks who created the stat will tell you that one WAR does NOT equal one win in the standings. Not how the stat works at all.
WAR…what is it good for?
absolutely nothing,say it again.
@Cosmo2, true, I could be overestimating the Mets wins.
More seriously, it’s not meant as a direct individual to team win comparison, but it’s a decent approximation. Fans can get tremendously excited by adding Scherzer, but they’re properly accounting for the loss of Stroman, who was very good for the Mets.
You’re a Starr.
Shocking absolutely no one.
20 years
Two 90+ win seasons
Two first place finishes (and one doesn’t count… 1994)
one playoff series win
9-14 in playoffs
.500 career winning percentage
3 of 4 teams he managed quit on him
I’m a Mets fan but I give up on the forseeable future. Showalter is our generation’s Gene Mauch
He’s also the only manager in almost 25 years to lead any Orioles team to a winning record, and he did it five times. Seven other Orioles managers in that time frame failed to do it.
82-80 is a winning record. As a Braves fan, I am perfectly fine with the Mets going 82-80 every single year.
His teams almost always outperformed expected results. If he didn’t stand up to George Steinbrenner, he’d also have about four or five World Championships on his resume as the manager of a dynasty. Buck’s loss was Torre’s gain.
Three 90+ win seasons. One of which was a 100 win season. 2 playoff series wins, 2012 and 2014. 506 Career win percentage. 94 very much counts and that team was on its way to a 100 win season if not for the strike. He took over 3 90+ loss teams and turned them into playoff caliber teams in 1 year. His teams went to the playoffs in 5 seasons and it would have been 6 if there was one in 94.. Not sure what your problem is other than getting facts wrong.
And the fact he won 89 w the rangers in 2004 is nothing short of a miracle
He should have gotten a Presidential Medal of Honor for that one. They were predicted to win 72 games.
Eppler and Buck are both well repected in the industry and have had success in NY. They, especially Buck, bring instant credibility to the Mets organization. Good luck, Buck and Billy.
I hope he likes Rochester.
Good hire. Congrats Buck!!
He blew it when he didn’t bring in Britton in the playoffs. Good luck with him.
Live out in the Bay Area, Giants fan, always appreciated Buck’s humor and personality on MLB. I’m very happy for him. However, I think the front office is toxic and may in the end be a problem. How does Alderson stay employed? Good luck, Buck.
Sandy Alderson’s work is finished. He should step away.
Well…
He’s a great guy and a great manager. I absolutely love that he’s getting another shot.
I absolutely hate that it’s with the Mets.
i think Buck is the final piece to the puzzle. Mets are primed to win it all!
2049
I will not live that long. They better start winning before then…lol
Sorry, but the Crystal Ball has indicated that the Mets will beat the Astros in five games in the 2049 World Series. The 27 years leading up to that look rather bleak in Queens.
Seemed like the likely hire. Will be good to see Buck back in the dugout again.
Funny, though, that the Mets have turned to the likes of Eppler and Showalter, two pros forged in the fire of the Yankees organization, in an attempt to bring professionalism to their organization. Alderson is still there though, so have to see how they all mesh.
Thought Chris Cuomo had a shot….
I hate the Mets but love showalter… great move by the Mets
Mets always gonna Met lol
Congratulations to Buck Showalter! I will support him and Hope for the Best with the Mets!
I feel he was the safe secure selection though I believe Joe Espada would have been a better choice to climb the Mountain to the top and win that Championship.
Now that Buck has a 3 year contract, in 4 years, 2025, the Mets will win their Championship! I definitely hope that I’m wrong and it’ll be sooner rather than later but the track record proves otherwise.
LFGM!!!
I’m glad this didn’t drag on until next week
Mets lineup in June:
1. Some unknown AAA/waiver guy LF
2. Canha – CF
3. Lindor – SS
4. Alonso -1B
5. Smith – DH
6. Escobar -3B
7. Unknown 2B from waivers
8. Khalil Lee – RF
9. Mcann – C
Thats a lot of injuries your assuming … marte, nimmo, mcneil, cano, guillorme, davis, beaty, vientos, potentially Mauricio along with matt reynolds and blankhorn and plummer. with half of those being on the younger side. Any other team with that many injuries would probably be swithing to tanking mode but that team is still competitive. Fortunately lf and 2b are probably easier to find than say cf or ss. Worst case you can move Smith to left (not the best but possible) then you have to only replace dh and 2b. With the way deGrom was hitting last season you may only have to replace dh on the days degrom pitches
That might be optimistic with the injury risks we’ve got on the team.
The Phillies really should have hired him instead of Joe. Great hire by the Mets
Also, most exciting move of the lockout.
Love the braves fans who get lucky and sneak out 1 title in 20 yrs yet now talk as if they didn’t spend most of the last 2 decades choking at every big chance they had ♂️ Braves are so overrated and we know that the next 20 yrs choking is all they will be good at ♂️
But they’re the defending champions so they get to talk a little louder than anyone else until they’re not…
Says the Orioles fan.
Atlanta ball club over-rated? You tell me what position player you think from the Mets is better than his Atlanta counterpart.
Freeman edges Alonso at the one position when both teams have an enviable star.
Albies edges Squirrel or Cano.
Swanson edges Lindor, but this one is close.
Riley way edges Escobar or Davis.
Acuna edges Marte.
Ozuna edges Nimmo.
Duvall edges Canha but very close.
D’Arnaud over McCann.
Braves have better bullpen and pitching depth.
So Mets hopes for anything better than second place hinge heavily on Jacob and Max being fully healthy all season, because that is their only advantage. Now if the Mets get to the post season and Jacob and Max are healthy they will be a force to reckon with. But I do not see them having as good a record as Atlanta during the regular season, comparing the position players straight up and assuming Atlanta ball club can sign Freeman back.
Swanson over Lindor is ridiculous. Ozuna over Nimmo is also questionable.
I agree that if you count defense Lindor has to be over Swanson. But as a batter, let’s compare 2021:
Lindor 0.230 avg 0.322 obp 20 HRs 10 SBs 0.734 OPS
Swanson 0.248 avg 0.311 OBP 27 HRs 9 SBs 0.760 OPS
I’d take Lindor over Swanson – I think last year was an anomaly. Agree on everyone else, though.
It’ll be a fun season…
If it happens.
From 2019-2021 Ozuna was 234 for 901 with 54 home runs, even missing most of 2021. In 901 at bats, Ozuna had 220 Ks.
From 2019-2021, Nimmo was 191 for 710 with 24 home runs. In 710 at bats, Nimmo had 193 Ks.
In 2020, Ozuna was 6th in MVP voting. He may treat his spouse poorly, but if he is playing regularly, Ozuna is likely to hit better than Nimmo in 2022.
D’arnaud will be lucky to play 50 games, Freeman isn’t even signed, Albies is a stud, Swanson is way overrated and not even in the stratosphere as Lindor, Riley had one good year. Acuna is a stud but a health risk, Ozuna should be in jail, and Duval will never duplicate last year’s stats again.
Atlanta has some solid SP and a good bullpen but by Opening Day the Mets will have the depth in to match or been better than the Braves.
Braves won the Championship and Congratulations to them on their win! They are a solid organization and will continue to be at or near the top in the division but these overstating comments from an Atlanta fan are somewhat comical and far fetched!
D’arnaud will be lucky to play 50 games, Freeman isn’t even signed, Albies is a stud, Swanson is way overrated and not even in the stratosphere as Lindor, Riley had one good year. Acuna is a stud but a health risk, Ozuna should be in jail, and Duval will never duplicate last year’s stats again.
Atlanta has some solid SP and a good bullpen but by Opening Day the Mets will have the depth to match or be better than the Braves.
Braves won the Championship and Congratulations to them on their win! They are a solid organization and will continue to be at or near the top in the division but these overstating comments from an Atlanta fan are somewhat comical and far fetched!
A great choice. Buck can handle the NY media, who obsess over what Jake had for breakfast; he can handle an officious owner, and most importantly, at his age he probably doesn’t give a poop what either says about him (especially with a 3 year deal).
Good hire and lends some legitimacy to the team. However, Mets are still a trash organization until they prove otherwise.
Nimmo is a “star” holdover? Even as a Mets fan that got me laughing.
What’s funny about a career 131 OPS+?
Didn’t realize taking ball four constitutes one being a star. Other than having a good eye, he does nothing else. Current contract can be used as reference.
Padam, I guess you don’t know baseball very well. Getting on base is the most important aspect of offense (avoiding outs)… it’s why walks are incorporated into every cumulative offensive stat (oWAR, OPS, OPS+) by the experts. Nimmo has been one of the best hitters in the NL according to the stats of the experts. Seriously, do I have to explain this to you? Try joining us in the current century some time.
You’re not too bright. The context is being a “star” which requires more than what he offers. If he was a star, he’d be paid like one and locked up for years. Furthermore, as a data scientist, the OPS+ needs to be quantitative and result into an output in order to be meaningful, which in his case doesn’t measure up. Only once in his career has he exceeded 400 plate appearances and he’s called out as a star. Comical.
You should’ve made that point in the first place. Only once in his career having more than 400 PAs mean he’s not quite a star, fair enough, but that’s not what you said. You were putting forward the falsehood that walks don’t matter or aren’t a matter of talent. But you realized you were wrong and changed your point after being called out on it, fair enough. We’ll leave who’s “not too bright” to outside observation.
You don’t actually WATCH games or understand how to read a stat sheet, do you?
Nimmo has done nothing to warrant ‘star’ player accolades since he can’t stay healthy. At this stage of his career, he’s a 4th outfielder at best. People act like he scores 120 runs a year because he walks a lot.
He’s not a 4th outfielder. He’s a great hitter but you’re right that he needs to stay healthy. But when he is healthy he’s an ideal lead off hitter. Great OPS+, very good hitter, definitely a starter on any team.
Every team needs a Nimmo type. Health aside, he’s a great piece of the puzzle.
@cosmo
How can you call a guy a ‘great hitter’ who has failed to score more than 40 runs in 4 of his 6 seasons? He is exactly what he is: a very nice 4th outfielder. There is no way you can count on a guy to suddenly play 150 games entering his age 29 season who has proven every year of his career that he can’t stay on the field. Counting on Nimmo for 600 at bats with no true back up plan would be a huge mistake once again. Honestly, I think this is where Bryant comes into the mix.
With Bryant on board, Nimmo, Davis, Smith or McNeil could all be moved for pitching.
Yankees fan here
Congrats to Buck and the Mets they’ve had just about a perfect off season.
Now lets see how it translate on the only place that counts
THE FIELD!
Yes…and as a Yankees fan you have much higher standards in your life than a Mets fan does. BTW, how is your mom’s basement? Did she bring down your pickle and pimento sandwich yet?
What a weird response from you, @DJ-VJ.
The caviar of the south?
I can’t stand pimento cheese.
Pimento cheese is epic…if made correctly.
I love it but it doesn’t really fit into my low calorie/low cholesterol diet so…
House in the NY suburbs with a Inground pool.
Driving a 2018 Mustang GT PP1 fully equipped
Cleared 6 figures easily this year.
You?
It was completely meant as a complement to the Mets and their off season
Hopefully the Yankees will match at the end.
Happy holidays to you.
That Brag was as bad as the crack he made at you.
You took that bait reeeeeaal easy.
I guess on me.
I don’t come on here to mess with people or figure out some childish gamesmanship.
Happy holidays to you as well.
Heh, it can be an odd crowd around these parts sometimes, as you can see… my guess is some folks are hitting the holiday nog a bit early these days.
Lol you’re so right but that’s social media.
Nice to see some signs of normal life.
Happy holidays
Lol yeah I’d just ignore the comment about a pickle and a pimento sandwich next time. You definitely gave him the response he wanted.
Mustang,
Sorry that he attacked you but, word for the wise, six figures in New York does not impress too many people any more. I have friends who make six figures who still live with their parents.
That’s a little extreme. 6 figures is enough cash to have your own place unless you’ve decided to put yourself in extreme debt in school or otherwise.
Or it’s a personal choice—definitely not bc they have to. .
Exactly.
I can see it you’re trying to live in city but again that’s a personal choice.
No problem.
You’re not attacking.
You’re stating your opinion nicely.
Your friend lives in Manhattan?
Yes. Of course they can afford a place in Manhattan, but it would take a huge bite out of their pay.
The first good decision the Mets have made in a long time. They are now immediately relevant in the East as opposed to the trainwreck that they have been. Now if the owner will just get the flip outta the way and let the boys Play…
The Mets got this one right. Been following Buck his entire career since Yankees – Mariners ALDS in 1995 which was the best baseball I have ever seen with him going up against Lou Piniella. Watched him in Texas and Baltimore great Coach. Listened to Buck many times discussing Baseball. He is always knowledgeable and respectful and I am smarter afterwards. Deep thinker on multi levels.
Congratulations Buck & Mets!
Experienced & Competent. Will be fun to watch him adjust to the daily top-down decision making demands required by successful modern analytics driven FOs.
Maybe he’ll tell them to FO.
Win or get fired.
Snowy, that’s how it is everywhere nowadays. Sometimes managers win and still get fired!
Right guy, right time. Three guys who managed both NY teams are in the Hall of Fame. We will see if Buck can get on that level with the Mets. That would be quite an accomplishment.
I’m happy with the hiring. I’ve been saying Showalter was the right guy for a while now. With the current team and organization in place, it’s win now mode and another rookie manager couldn’t be trusted with this job. I know Matt Q & Espada are “can’t miss future managers” but so was Callaway. Buck is the veteran that should get this team into contention immediately & lead the Mets into October baseball.
If he can handle the circus act in the Bronx, surely he can handle the circus act in Queens. Best of luck Mr. Showalter!
Good now let get to my A’s signing Espada making these trades bringing in top young talent for the move to Las Vegas .
I’m all for Las Vegas getting a team but they need a new name.
Las Vegas Baseball Team
Either “Vipers” or something to do with aliens
Espada may happen. Vegas won’t. Too small a TV market and TV money is everything in baseball.
Finally the Mets do something that makes sense
They’ll still manage to screw it up though.
Bringing back Báez would have produced more wins than bringing in Uncle Buck.
Great time to be a Mets fan. Hopefully it translates into wins during the season.
Was hoping they would have hired Clayton Kershaw in a player-manager role. Would have made more sense.
He’s going to be such a good manager
He will manage to create an even bigger mess in Queens.
Lol!!!
Obligatory Steinfeld Humor:
He’ll do fine with the Mets as long he doesn’t take advice from George Costanza.
Recycling another old white guy???!!!! The notion of diversity hiring in MLB is a joke! And this comment is from a 67 yo white guy. Absolutely ridiculous! MLB should be ashamed!
Go blue? Are you a blue jays fan?
Maybe Wolverines?
Could not agree more. What a pity the old white boys club continues. Best hope is he fails fully and we all get to enjoy the Mets spending $300 million for 4th.
I’m not even taking the bait on this idiotic nonsense.
Plenty of that going around, for sure. I’ll never understand all the hate that gets thrown around here. Mets are not “my” team, but how they play baseball doesn’t reflect on my life at all. Even when “my” team wins…I didn’t do it. Anyway…
I think ANY of the three candidates would have been fine. They narrowed it down to 3 good ones.
If they can stay healthy – a big if in recent years – there’s no reason they can’t challenge the Braves for the division.
In normal circumstances, there would be no reason why a team that looks like that on paper shouldn’t compete…but these aren’t normal circumstances. Queens is forever cursed.
It is not idiotic nonsense, it just feels that way because the poster is trolling. MLB GMs and field managers do not represent the diversity of the players. But the Mets were a team well suited to bring in a manager with a lot of experience. This was a good choice and it makes the Mets better. But even a troll can be right some of the time and it is true that MLB needs to work harder to get the front offices and managers to reflect the diversity of the players.
You earned a MUTE.
What’s wrong with hiring on merit and not color? Did not Martin Luther King want this? I am of mixed race and feel the same way….,
@goblue5
Its interesting how you can wrap age, gender, and race hatred in one phrase and somehow it seems to be acceptable? Hate is just Hate and always somehow gets justified in different periods of history; and somehow even if you are self loathing and want to feel “part of it” from some misplaced “guilt’ that justifies fueling Hatred.
Now Fire Sandy Alderson send him off with a Timex Watch & Hire Willie Randolph as Bench Coach. Restore credibility and avoid Buck suffering the Fool. Oh and avoid hiring Carlos Beltran or LOL Mets.
Highly doubt a former mets manager would want to come be the Mets bench coach
He is currently not in Baseball and he previously was Bench Coach in Baltimore under Buck
Great hire for the Mets
Obvious choice, but does this mean that Bucks an analytics guy/convert now?
He was always an analytics guy. He was an analytics guy before it was cool. That is why he got so much guff. Because he always went with what the stats told him he should do.
“Because he always went with what the stats told him he should do.”
That isn’t actually a thing, though, because there are many ways ones could interpret analytics, some of which are sensible and some of which are not. Case in point, Rojas’s biggest problem last year is that either he or the analytics department were often utilizing analytics in a way that didn’t factor in necessary in-game context, nor consider that rival teams also had access to the same set of information. This sometimes lead to suboptimal decision-making.
The reason some folks scoff at the use of analytics is that utilizing them poorly can actually be worse than not relying on them at all. But there are plenty of organizations, the Rays most notably, who know how to use them and use them effectively. It remains to be seen where the Mets will fall on that spectrum, although they were likely far worse off under the analytics-adverse Wilpons.
Congrats to buck.,,,, Thought I think NY Mets went with safe bet seeing as Matt Quatraro and Joe Espada both would have been Rookies manager if were hired and after the last Rookie Manager they had Luis Rojas, they decide to go with Veteran..
I do see them telling Buck to have a bench coach that he can groom..
If they were smart they’d let Buck pick his own bench coach
The ‘safe bet’ was a good bet for a franchise in total disarray, who managed to throw a huge amount of AAV at the problem without actually getting it right, without even becoming favorites in the division.
They didn’t need to find the Next Great Manager so much as they (desperately) needed to find a competent manager who is guaranteed not to be a liability wrt in-game decisions, someone to help make the team a respectable destination for free agents so they don’t have to do things like pay the highest AAV in baseball history, by 20%, to bring an old pitcher in decline to Queens.
Imagine thinking the right move was to sign Scherzer instead of two of Gausman, Ray, and Stroman. These Mets are giving 110 starts in 2022 to guys coming off ERAs of (iirc) 6.04, 4.27, 5.54, and 4.47—none of whom is remotely durable. That means giving 50-plus of those 110 starts to pitchers not even on the roster yet despite payroll already around $263m, and still lacking a starting 3Bman, a 4th OFer (who’s likely to start more games in the OF than anyone else), a starting catcher, several bullpen arms, a real backup SS…
Couldn’t agree more as a Mets fan who seems to be in the minority about the signing. Yes, Scherzer’s underlying numbers were as good as ever but coming off of dead arm and at age 37 (!!)…I don’t care how good Scherzer is, there’s real risk here. One significant injury and he may never be the same. Perhaps if he were, say, 35yo it would be a different story.
And the whole narrative that signing him was fine because Cohen has infinite money is insufferable. Because if he truly did possess such wealth (or a desire to spend), some of the other top players who did not sign with us would also be Mets by now. So unless Cohen plans to make another splash or two before the offseason is out, signing Scherzer came with an opportunity cost.
That doesn’t even consider future luxury tax implications. Maybe Cohen would be willing to pay those as well, but I’ll need to see it to believe it once we’d be in the tax for several years in a row.
He took the Orioles to the playoffs, which is quite the feat, so I’d say he’s qualified.
I have great news for Mets fans. They will have a DYNASTY.
Mets over Tigers in 2072
Mets over Blue Jays in 2074
Mets over (Portland) Thunderbirds in 2075
Mets over (Las Vegas) Vipers in 2078
@ 48 team… there you go, that’s the spirit. Last time you only had us at 2049. Good job.
I’ve actually had these predictions for a while now. They will also beat the Buffalo Bisons in 2091, the Seattle Mariners in 2099 and the Ottawa Owls in 2123.
@ 48… see, now your losing credibility. No championships in how long but you have us winning how many in the future? Can’t be true, now I’m calling BS.
Only one dynasty though. The rest are just random, spread out titles.
@48 team… but titles nonetheless. I’ll happily take that over what we had with the Wilpons 30 something years of incompetence.
And don’t forget the Mets over the Mississippi Aggrieved White Guys in 2057.
Yankees were reportedly worried that if they let Boone walk, Mets would sign him.
So they re-signed Boone and let the Mets hire someone better.
Yeah, this is an excellent point. Shame if it is, Hal & Cashman were the only ones who felt that way in NY, because the fans overwhelmingly did not. Wouldn’t have made a difference because Cashman is the actual manager/GM, and that’s no secret.
No nonsense guy. Mets need discipline and Buck will demand it.
Undoubtedly, but we also need someone who knows how to utilize analytics, and neither Rojas nor the front office seemed to know how to utilize them properly last season.
it will be funny that in july 15th they are in 3rd place looking around asking why and someone has the balls to say ‘ it might be management’ and buck turns and says,
‘actually ive been here 2 and half months , you guys just suck and cant win no matter who your manager is’
Admit it. Mookie Wilson lives rent free in your head. Still not over ‘86? Lol
How about Don Clemdenon?
Clendenon
Buck Handled the Orioles badly. The Tillman fiasco, the 2018 lineup, giving useless Pedro Alvarez six million dollars, not bothering to even try to assemble a 2018 rotation, insisting that “time to the plate” is the most important pitching stat, refusing to bring up Yaz for a symbolic final day at Fenway, and other lunacies soured me on Buck long ago. He won’t do a thing in NY, but better the Mets than the O’s.
Buck did not give any one money , no manager does , blame the front office they make the discussion on whom gets payed and gets a raise
fomeols13 hours ago
Buck Handled the Orioles badly. The Tillman fiasco, the 2018 lineup, giving useless Pedro Alvarez six million dollars,
=========================================
ROTFLMAO!!!!
dude, if you don’t know the difference between a GM and a manager, you should not be making disparaging remarks. There is nothing wrong with being a casual fan. I’m like that with FB and hockey. But if you know nothing about the game, you cannot be critical.
Go back and read his comments about Tillman, and then come back here and apologize. It wasn’t just the WC Game, there was lots wrong with how he handled the team.
Great manager , I played for him , if the Mets stay healthy they will be in the playoffs
when did you get to play for him? that’s awesome
Me too! It was a blast.
All the hate is a good thing. Hate = jealousy and envy. I’ll take all the hate.
I’m sure you envy the World Series trophy we just received 47 days ago.
Congrats on that. The Braves deserve it, they’re a good organization.
I’m a Mets fan… why would I be jealous or envious?
82 wins.. third place.. that’s all we can expect from this guy.
As a very wise man once said, “Hate is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.”!
Oh damn. Buck is a great, great manager.
Please explain how this guy is “great”
I’m pretty happy with Buck. I like his style, his experience, his track record. He was great with the Yankees.
Just a warning for Met’s fans. You guys just spent a ton of money on a pitcher who was too tired to make a crucial World Series start for the Dodgers when they needed him the most. One extra relief inning pitched by Scherzer burned his arm out that badly?? He’s supposed to be a stud. Is deGrom gonna be okay? If so for how long? Actually I heard the Mets are in such a hurry to start the season that once the lockout is over they’re gonna go ahead and place Nimmo on the IL to get things rolling. Mets always gonna Met, they’re the Mets.
@Mystery Team Yeah, far too much hangs on the healed (?) tear of one of the GOATs, and the diminished blood flow to that tear thanks to deeGee’s TJS from 2011, now past its warranty.
DeGrom could do anything from tearing the ligament in ST, to going 230 ip including the postseason and winning a Cy Young, but among the bad portents is that even if deGrom and Scherzer are healthy for much of the regular season, the Mets are probably the worst of the ostensible contenders when it comes to their chances of having good, healthy pitching in October. None of deGrom, Scherzer, Carrasco, and Walker (and even Megill and Peterson) have anything like the durability necessary to surviving to and thriving in October.
Whatever the odds are of the Mets winning the World Series, bet on them not getting it done. Between their pitching and their front office, it’s simply not happening.
Sooooo, based on his prior record… Buck wins Manager of the Year in 2024?
Good for him. Hope he finally gets a ring instead of the manager after him.
The other thing that few of us have discussed is whether the new CBA will impact Mets spending. Obviously Cohen is ready and willing to spend. Will the other owners try to restrict this and will the players be ok with that if they get other concessions? That will be the second biggest issue for the Mets following the health of Jacob and Max.
I could see Cohen restricting his budget once the Mets are relevant again, ie: winning the pennant. Until then, I don’t think the CBA’s faux cap will affect how Cohen spends on talent he believes will get the Mets in the pennant race.
Perfect pick. Exactly who they need to win!
A great hire!!
The median projection for the current Mets roster is roughly 87 wins, but that assumes that players 21 through 60 (they used 61 players last season) are replacement level, the kind of players the Alderson Mets have always been bad at finding, even with the money available last season. Run a similar crew out there and the last 2/3 of the roster will cough up around 8 wins, knocking them down to a 79-83 record.
Even contenders give away a couple of wins at the butt end of the roster, but for the Mets, what they’re likely to do versus what they need to do, is the difference between finishing around .500 and having an outside chance at the postseason.
Awesome. This should have been done ten days ago. Now let’s get him a proper bullpen to work with
Always had respect for Show, dude is a command presence in the dugout and demands players to play hard. Managed on the big stage before in NY. NL East Managers are pretty seasoned.
This was predictable. Not surprising after Scherzer gave his word. Congrats.
I’m a lifelong Rangers fan. Showalter is one of our two worst managers in team history….
Showalter is perfect for the train wreck known as the Mets.
Oh come on. He is not even one of the two worst managers for the Rangers since 2000. Chris Woodward and Jerry Narron were far worse managers. And I would argue Jeff Banister was worse also.
But then you get into the 20th century of the MANY 2-3 year wonder guys that just were happy to get 76 wins and call it a year.
Plus the ABSOLUTE worst manager in team history is always going to be its first, Ted Williams. One of the greatest players ever and also one of the worst managers ever.
Doug Rader and Buck Showalter are easily the two worst managers in Rangers’ history….
When Showalter was here, he treated the players like children, and routinely yelled at members of the press.
Rader was just an idiot. He was the guy that ran off Jim Sundberg, and made the asinine statement that Ned Yost was a better catcher.
Buck was given a roided out roster with a few decent young position players (Mark Teixeira, Michael Young, Hank Blalock) and no pitching.
I remember Rader had one good year managing the Angels but followed it with two bad years and was fired
I think the 2004 Rangers would disagree. None of the Rangers teams he managed were predicted to win more than 72 games and that was the 2004 team. 69, 72, 71, and 71 respectively for 2003-2006 teams. They were HORRIBLE and he made them respectable in 3 of 4 seasons in Dallas.
That 2006 pitching staff had a 5.11 ERA for starters.. 2005 was not much better with a 5.04 ERA for the starters and 93 games started by 8 guys that combined for a 6.03 ERA. In 2004 the Rangers starters had a 5.14 ERA, but the relievers put up an outstanding 3.51 ERA. That team miraculously won 89 games. The 2003 staff had a 5.69 ERA. One of the worst ever.
Those teams were expected to lose big time and instead they were mediocre.
You’re a Rangers fan calling the Mets a train wreck? Yikes. Have the Rangers ever even won a World Series? The Mets have two of the best World Series rubs if all time. They’ve been to three more that they lost. So that’s 5 in 60 years. People act like they never make the playoffs it’s silly. The rangers are a totally train wreck. Never have good starters. You let Lance Lynn go for no reason. Let Gallo go for nothing only to splurge on injury prone Seager. The Mets are an infinitely more successful franchise than the rangers. So shut up with these stupid comments about the Mets
baseball -reference predicts Max Scherzer will go 12-7 if there is a next season. Thats 5 extra wins at 8.5 million per. $$$ could have been spent a LOT better if you ask me. Oh well what do I know? just following this team since forever
And we all know how those projections are 100% accurate and true to life.
They are just the opinion of one person. Sure it is a computer algorithm, but someone input the number and designed the formula. Plus, computers can’t tell the future. If they could, there would be absolutely no need for owners to pay the players and no need for players to risk their bodies to injury. We’d all just hit one button and the game would be complete. Although that might appeal to some people that want to speed up the game, it’s not for me.
Are you seriously getting worked up over predictions for pitcher wins of all things? Really? Do you realize how inaccurate these things are?
38 comments on this article and you’re accusing someone else of getting worked up? How ironic.
I don’t think you understand what that phrase means. (Did you actually count how many posts I’ve made? Yeesh, that’s an issue unto itself).
Actually, those who aren’t technically inept understand that you can search a webpage and find that out within a few seconds.
You’re one of these people who think only their opinion matters or is factual.
Constantly arguing with strangers on the internet over inconsequential crap that means nothing in the grand scheme of things. Enjoy your bitter existence.
You seem to have some weird hang up about me commenting on a message board meant for people to comment on… ok… and web search, whatever, counting my posts is weirdly obsessive on your part. I’m just here talking baseball, the only bitterness is coming from you, who, for some reason have taken such offense to my voicing opinions here that you’re… doing whatever this is you’re doing. Very odd. Not sure why you’re here if you think this is all so meaningless. You’re an odd duck, Jonny
I think he’s trying to say that you’re annoying. And I’d have to agree
As an in market Mets fan you watch a lot of NL East games. I was rooting hard for this Braves team the minute the Mets were out of it. Going for it midseason without Acuna was real balls. I’m really glad Atlanta won they 100% deserved to win one before us. Nationals? Maybe not so much…
Like I’ve said, I’m not going to freak out if we don’t repeat next year but I definitely want more than one title this time around…unlike the ‘90s. Even just winning one more in the next three to five years would be huge for Atlanta.
To this day i still cannot wrap my brain around how a team with 4 future HoF players and a future HoF Manager plus the plethora of really good players they had over the years could play in 5 World Series and reach the NLCS 8 times and only win 1 championship
And the one they got against the Indians strikes were being called 4 inches off the plate against Cleveland
Ahhh 48 team is a Braves fan, good to know you have even less credibility regarding topics of falling short in the playoffs than I previously thought
Mets totally World Champs the year after they fire Buck!
Wonder what the line up would look like with the DH instituted.
cf – Marte
rf – Nimmo
ss – Lindor
1st – Alonso
3rd – McNeil
DH – J.D. Davis
2nd – Cano
lf – D. Smith/Canha
c – McCann
I love the hire but as far as the lineup posted by NYMETSHEA?
Why in the hell would you bat Lindor 3rd?
Once the at bats mean something again he will hit .235; bat him 7 until he can prove he can play in NY. Never should have been extended in the first place. I predicted he would hit a little on this board once the games meant nothing.
Secondly Cano at second; are you freaking kidding me!!!
Without the juice he wont stay healthy and hit.
Trade or pay for a DH like Atlanta did with Soler or Rosario.
McNeil will play second and Escobar will play third.
Dominic Smith has regressed and with Davis should be packaged and sent packing for a number 5 starter.
smith plus davis should equal a lot better than a number 5 starter. maybe another #3? that guy on cincy. castillo intrigues me in spite of last season. dont know what cincy needs though
Can Orioles fans chime in about what they liked/disliked about Buck? That, to me, carries more value than vague consensus or win-loss records. Sure, it’s hard to argue against the track record but plenty of individuals in life have track records which far, far outweigh their actual abilities. And as a Mets fan, I’m hoping Buck would not fall into that category.
I honestly don’t have much of an opinion on the hiring right now. Too little information to work and not familiar enough with his work to feel strongly one way or the other.
Fans have little to no insight into what happens in the clubhouse and dugout.
That’s true to an extent, but some questionable in-game decisions should be obvious enough even if managers and analytic staffs would have access to more information than the public.
Case in point, it was pretty obvious that Rojas—or the analytics staff—did not know how to properly utilize analytics, a fact which became crystal clear via later reporting.
The Orioles have fans?
Touche
Excellent baseball manager. Yes, everyone can point to some specific in game decision that they disagreed with. That is the case with any manager. His players have liked playing for him (you don’t get hired 5 times if this were not true), he got results – albeit never winning it all, he was good with media and fans – will have no issues deal with NY again is the point. It was a stellar hire for a team that needed someone to get the best out of the talent they have.
How can anyone think Buck is a good manager? He never had a great winning percentage. Mets will never win with him
I recommend that you re-read the article. Or if you’re too lazy, just re-read the sixth paragraph
Mets still won’t make playoffs, lol.
Ah. Didn’t realize you were a troll. My bad.
“Showalter… has taken home Manager of the Year hardware with three different clubs (1994 Yankees, 2004 Rangers, 2014 Orioles).”
The goal of every team is to win the World Series; so you have to ask just one basic question is Buck an upgrade over clueless first time I only got the job because of who I am related to Rojas?
The answer is YES and that’s that main point; a manager can only do so much and the Mets made a big upgrade in their manager. So good positive move! 🙂
Mets counting on two pitchers that always get hurt. I still see the Braves better and Phillies right there as well. The Mets always suck, lol
Always get hurt? Over the last five seasons, scherzer is third in IP and degrom is 9th (he was first from 2017-20 before last season’s injury)… not sure where they always get hurt
1994 MOY
2004 MOY
2014 MOY
2024 MOY???
Maybe 2024 will be when he finally doesn’t fall short in the playoffs
LOL
Congratulations to @MetsFan22 and the rest of the Mets fan base for winning another offseason championship.
Now let’s get a CBA done so we can get to other things.
Congratulations to the Marlins for entering year 18 of their rebuild
Congratulations for the Mets entering Year 36 of their rebuild since that championship in 1986….Year 6 since their last playoff trip.
With greatness like that, of course a Mets fan will hurt me about entering our 19th season without a championship compared to that 36th year….and Year 2 without a trip to the playoffs compared to that Year 6.
Ouch!
Not a Mets fan but a Marlins fan talking is laughable. Also a championship drought is far different than a rebuild. The Marlins haven’t been able to successfully complete a rebuild since they built that 2003 team. The Mets can at least have some runs from time to time
Sad thing is the Marlins and Mets both have 2 rings and the Marlins have been in the league less yrs then my Mets. Throughout the years, I’ve blamed the mess on Wilpons for not spending and just murdering the team with terrible trades and not caring for the fans. At least Cohen seems to care about winning and giving the fans what they want , a sustainable winning team for the future. At least Cohen is trying . The Wilpons didnt care about winning or the fans !
@Daniella
In order to make your statement, it helps to know that the Mets have not won a championship since 1986 compared to the Marlins in 2003…thus, what are you saying by talking about the Marlins not having a successful rebuild in your defense of the Mets?
It also helps to know that the Mets have not been in the playoffs since 2016 while the Marlins have been in 2020. You can claim that 2020 wasn’t a real season, but the Mets played in that season and were not able to make the playoffs, despite the shortened season, playing head-to-head for 2/3rds of the season against division rivals and the other 1/3rd against the AL’s complimentary division….while the Marlins were able to. So, again, what are you saying in the Marlins not having a successful rebuild in defense of the Mets?
It also helps to know that since 2003, the Marlins have 5 winning seasons to the Mets 7 winning seasons. Once again, what are you saying in the Marlins not having a successful rebuild in your defense of the Mets?
I think you need to rethink the items you are trying to knock about the Marlins in your defense of the Mets.
@Dallas Mets
You Mets fans keep saying that the Wilpons didn’t spend, but that is not accurate. They spent more under the Wilpons than many teams that made the playoff during their time. They also outspent quite a few teams that won the World Series during that span.
I think you need to realize that a title 18 years ago is just as irrelevant as one 36 years ago when both teams are so far removed nobody is left from either team or either FO/ownership. It’s very shameful to not be able to complete a rebuild one time in that amount of years. The Mets can at least say they were able to build towards something ( 2 pennants) since their last title for their fans compared to the Marlins not even being able to build a playoff team until a short season occurred
@MarlinsFanBase
Congratulations to MarlinsFanBase who still doesn’t have a life or any meaning to it by trolling on a Mets thread.
So pathetic when the only joy one thinks they are getting in life is just to annoy others which makes his life less than the people he is trying to annoy!
Ouch!
@Daniella
So you’re offering the Mets two pennants since their last championship. Ahem…one of those was in 2000. The Marlins won a World Series 3 years later with one of their rebuilds, so they did better than that rebuild, so, again, what’s your point there?
And their last pennant was 2015. The Marlins have just as many playoff appearances, and more playoffs wins than the Mets since that. So, again, what’s your point? You’re really digging deep with the bullmess twist to help the Mets for someone that claims she’s not a Mets fan.
@CanoSucks
Speaking of not having a life…considering that you can’t make it onto this site when the Mets struggle because you have a laugh, I guess you coincidentally only can make it here when there’s something to boast about because I guess you don’t have a life during those moments. Maybe you should root against the Mets because, when they struggle, you seem to have a laugh, but when they aren’t struggling or it’s the offseason and they make a big move, you seem to no longer have a life, so you can make it onto here.
Ouch is right.
Mets are investing in a manger? They bringing in baby Jesus?
I really like the roster and pitching staff the Mets and Buck has to work with, but I do think they need one more solid pitcher in the rotation. Degrom and Scherzer will be a devastating 1-2, but along with DeGrom needing to stay healthy, a dependable #3 would make them more stable.
I think the lynch pin for determining if this offense will be good or great will be Lindor. He can’t get off to a slow start like he did. Hell, he can’t have the offensive year like he did. He’s getting paid way too much to hover around mediocrity.
If Jacob and Max are healthy all year, Lindor can hover around mediocrity as a batter and the Mets will still be competitive. If Jacob and Max are injured good chunks of the year, Lindor improving his hitting a fair amount won’t be enough to carry them. Mets are taking a big gamble on their 1-2 pitching punch, but if they strike gold, they could go all the way. I just think Scherzer’s dead arm gives me pause and Jacob’s arm health has his entire career in jeopardy. But they could be the best 1-2 pitchers in baseball in 2022 if they are both are at peak health. Just making it as a wild card makes the Mets dangerous if Jacob and Max are both healthy at the end of the season, but again that is a huge “if”.
Let Lindor hit 7th. Expectations are much less for a #7 hitter.
Marte cf
Nimmo rf
Alonso dh
Escobar 3b
Canha lf
Davis 1b
Lindor SS
McCann c
Cano/McNeil 2b
Honestly, if Lindor hits .250/15/75 25sb and scores 90 in the 7 hole, this lineup is good.
That’s a very, very expensive #7 hitter. But maybe a lower, less pressurized spot in the order will get him back on track.
I said it above and agree; Lindor in the 7th hole until he can hit but unfortunate Buck won’t have that call as Lindor’s ego would never settle for that and Management does’t have the balls to back Buck up on that one!!
McNeil at second; Cano is done without the juice
Always liked Showalter. He did a great job with the Orioles. Always outperformed their roster.
Everyone forgets they had no starters. Only last 4-5 innings and then had to be pulled for the bullpen. What a mess. Yet the Orioles kept on winning.
Haha, just ahead of their time I guess, now half the teams are pulling starters in five innings or less.
smith plus davis should equal a lot better than a number 5 starter. maybe another #3? that guy on cincy. castillo intrigues me in spite of last season. dont know what cincy needs though
They’ll want top prospects for Castillo