In his latest piece, Jon Heyman of the New York Post suggests Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns is interested in filling a similar position for the Mets in the future. That Stearns might be interested in one day taking over the Mets front office isn’t new, but the timing of such a transition had long been obscured due to Stearns’ questionable contract status. Heyman now clarifies that it is “believed” the Brewers’ top executive can opt out of his contract if the Brewers reach the NLCS this season, after which the Mets would likely pursue him.
New York’s personnel decisions were a hot topic this past winter, as the team hired veteran manager Buck Showalter to lead a new on-field staff and were snubbed by a series of high-profile front office candidates. The Brewers were among the rejectors as well, with Brewers owner Mark Attanasio denying the Mets an opportunity to interview David Stearns on multiple occasions. Ultimately the Mets pivoted and signed Billy Eppler to a four-year contract to serve as their GM, with the industry expectation being that the Mets could install a president of baseball operations down the line. Both the Mets and Brewers are certainly pleased with their front office configurations at the moment, however, as the Eppler and Stearns-led clubs sport records of 19-9 and 18-8, respectively, atop their divisions.
Some other news of note on this Thursday evening…
- Sticking with the Mets, Heyman suggests that the team is likely to seek relief help at the trade deadline. Right-handed reliever and free agent Trevor Rosenthal could be an early target according to Heyman, as the former closer is expected to hold a pitching showcase in the coming weeks. Reported interest in Rosenthal has been widespread since April, but has yet to manifest into a deal. The 31-year-old Rosenthal is coming off an ill-fated, one-year deal with the A’s in which he failed to throw a regular season pitch for the team due to injury. Before he underwent multiple season-ending surgeries in 2021, Rosenthal was fresh off a triumphant comeback season in which he posted a 1.90 ERA with a 41.8% strikeout percentage as the Royals’ and Padres’ closer.
- Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez is keeping his options open as he nears free agency at the end of the season, per Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe. The longtime Boston catcher figures to have his fair share of suitors should he reach free agency like expected, as he routinely draws plaudits for his defensive work and leadership even as his bat has waxed and waned throughout his career. To that end, the Red Sox picked up a $7MM club option on the veteran receiver this offseason even though his 2021 slash line of .258/.308/.352 paled in comparison to the stout .278/.327/.472 line he posted in the preceding two years. Vazquez is off to a tepid start this season with an OPS of just .524, though slow starts are nothing new for the catcher as he looks to lead his club up and away from a last-place tie with the Orioles.
- Top Pirates prospect Oneil Cruz lit up the minor leagues last season and regularly draws comparisons to Aaron Judge, but Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette outlines a few reasons to temper expectations for the young slugger. The towering shortstop received a two-game game cameo in the majors last season but was ticketed for more work at Triple-A to begin the 2022 season. Thanks to a .159/.266/.256 start to the season and service time repercussions for Pittsburgh, Mackey figures a return to the big leagues is unlikely to happen in the near future. Another wrinkle to keep an eye out for is Cruz’s adoption of a new position this season: left field. Though the 6 foot 7 inch Cruz has primarily played shortstop since his pro debut, including this season, much has been made of his (in)ability to stick there long-term due to his size. The 23-year-old has plainly stated that he “[doesn’t] want to move to the outfield” however, which may complicate his permanent rise to the big league level. Incumbent Pirate shortstops Cole Tucker and Diego Castillo shouldn’t prove to be large roadblocks for the eventual promotion of a player the industry still holds in incredibly high regard. For now though, Pirates fans will have to wait a while longer for their best prospect to join Ke’Bryan Hayes in the lineup and, potentially, the left side of the infield for years to come.
My thoughts exactly.
The part about Vazquez looks like his agent writing his resume for him.
Defensive metrics actually show he’s bottom half of the league, he makes a lot of mental errors, and pitchers don’t like throwing to him because of his poor gamecalling. There’s a reason why Eovaldi has always done far better when his batterymate is not named Vazquez. And would Bloom have come close to trading for Stallings if all that was true about Vazquez? Of course not. Vaz has a good arm, that’s about it.
Don’t forget he thinks he’s Rickey Henderson on base. I’ve never seen a slower player try to steals and advance bases as much as him. It’s beyond maddening.
It’s his shiny pink glitter belt, he thinks it gives him superpowers.
Is Blake Swihart still available?
Would Swihart do any worse….he might be able to steal a base or two unlike the so-called “Rickey” Vazquez
I’ve never seen a slower player try to steals and advance bases as much as him.
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For his career, his SB% is 67.5%. That’s almost league average. and his one SB attempt was a hit-and-run attempt.
Most of those stolen bases he caught the defense off guard. No one is expecting someone as slow as him to try and still a base. That’s why CONTEXT matter, which numbers done give. He’s made more outs on the bases than anyone I’ve seen. It’s ridiculous.
That’s how most SBs occur, and how they should occur. I don’t know that Johnny Bench was any faster or slower than Vazquez, but he once stole 24-25 consecutive bases.
♂️That wasn’t in one season. No one is expecting slow players to steal. Thats how he was able to do it. If pitchers and catchers would treat every base runner the same, guess what his stolen base percentage would be. If your happy with Vazquez making huge outs on the base then my guess and be happy with that.
Joe – There’s a difference between being a smart baserunner and being a fast baserunner.
Vaz is good at noticing opportune times to steal, just like Pudge Fisk (long ago Sox catcher) was a smart baserunner.
But everyone is right, Vaz is as slow as they come.
If your happy with Vazquez making huge outs on the base
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I am just referring to his SBs. His SB % is okay.
What part of context do you not understand. Numbers don’t give CONTEXT. I could careless what his stolen base percent is. This team is already offensively challenged, and they don’t need a 300lb dude acting he’s Rickey Henderson.
Agree. Hate to go negative with the RS, but he’s one part of the problem and is not part of the solution. This is the last year for Vazquez, JBJ (another contract to eat like Price), JD, Kike and possibly Daulbach. A few others????..
What irritates me the most, is when the commentary joke about it.
Cole Tucker shouldn’t be a roadblock at all.
More like a pebble to be stepped over before he fades into obscurity.
Ya but he’s a piece of work…..too bad he can’t hit at all, and actually the defense is more meh than good. On a team like the Bucs, they should keep hi around just for the persona.
Enough with the “Cruz is a service time thing”; he barely belongs at AA, never mind the majors. So far he’s a complete disaster everywhere, and the suspicion is his 2021` was an outlier, and he’ll never be anything but a second division regular. Yeah, he has great levers BUT; plays every position defensively ;like he’s brain dead, and has zero bat to ball skills. Msybe something happened, personally or professionally, but anyone who thinks Cruz is in any way still a top prospect is way behind the times.
bobtillman;
1. Don’t think almost all of the people here understand the phrase “second division regular”.
2. Very few here commenting on players watch them play very much, if at all.
That is a very bad take. Oneil Cruz may not be Juan Soto when it comes to walks and K’s, but he’s consistently around average in both departments. Plus he has failed to hit below .280 in a season dating back to 2017 when the Pirates acquired him. If he’s been a complete disaster everywhere, then why did he have a 136 wRC+ dating back to 2018? Also, i don’t get what’s suspect about 2021 for Cruz? He had a 136 wRC+ at Double-A, and 158 once you factor in his small, yet outstanding sample size at Triple-A at the end of the season. It’s not like he hasn’t done well in the past. His wRC+ has went from 134 in 2018, 144 in 2019, and 158 last year. He’s steadily been getting better if anything.
I wonder how much the forced change of position is impacting his hitting. These kids that come from the DR you can’t assume they can compartmentalize. I wonder how many people remember Polanco struggling with RF.
Couldn’t agree more. Typical Pirates’ logic. Put a player in a position he’s not comfortable with to increase his versatility. Did anyone ever stop to think that maybe Shelton should have outfielders play the outfield and infielders play the infield? One of the many things that are wrong with the tea,.
The position change is because Peguero is right behind him in AA and he is the future at SS. Cruz needs to move positions for the long term benefit of the Pirates. Better he struggles in AAA as he learns the OF than in the majors.
You’re glib
Bob-Tucker’s persona May very well help him out of the ML’s.
He hit a triple which I think he thought was going out because he looked around to the bench immediately after he hit it as if to say “ look at that”!
His Hollywood girlfriend and the attendant lifestyle may be exactly what he does NOT need to enable him to work hard on his mediocre ML abilities.
Darn Mets and whatever black magic they employ that keeps them from losing games.
Cheer up. Anybody with an objective mind will tell you they are not as good as they are playing. A lot of luck and bad defense from other teams – they are BABIP’ing the other teams to death. Their offense is nothing to worry about and neither is their bullpen. They are relying on a 37-year-old pitcher who broke down last year and their bottom 2 guys (Cooks and Walker) are nothing special. Megill has been good but he is no sure thing for the entirety of the season.
Then again, the Phillies are not exactly scary themselves since their major problem last few seasons has been their bullpen. They improved on their strength (offense) without improving much on the pitching side.
It will be a fight to the end. Lets just hope it is not the Mets.
Their offense is nothing to worry about? They are built to put the ball in play and be aggressive on the base paths. They don’t rely on the long ball like most teams do. The offense is actually underperforming at this point. Home runs will go up and Nimmo, Lindor, Marte, and Alonso’s production will get better. Not to mention their catchers won’t hit under .200 all season. Good thing they have the worlds best pitcher coming back to replace on of the pitchers you said was garbage. The Mets will have the division wrapped up before any division in baseball.
You’re really annoying
It’s May. The mets don’t have anything wrapped up and it’s may.
This coming from a rational mets fan
Nice they’re winning but claiming they are gonna have the division wrapped up very soo is so foolish.
As foolish as phillies fans giving up on the season in May
I know this is gonna be an unpopular opinion, it always is, but “aggressive base running” adds very little value. They don’t really have any true base stealers, other than maybe Marte. Simply taking an extra base here and there adds such a minute advantage, it’s barely calculable.
I didn’t say anything was wrapped up. I said they would be the first to clinch the division. Have you looked at their September schedule. Degrom will be back next month. They are deep, put the ball in play, take extra bases and will win a lot of games this year. The rest of the division is falling in a big hole and the Mets are too deep this year to go on any substantial losing streak. Try rooting for your team instead of trying to think of ways to root against them.
It’s an unpopular opinion because your completely wrong. Aggressive base running puts pressure on defenses and pitchers. Waiting for a three run homer is exactly that. You are waiting and inconsistent. Going from first to third allows you to score many times just by putting the ball in play. Going from first to second allows you to score on a single. A run here and there keeps you in games and makes you a more consistent team.
You’re simply repeating things you’ve heard announcers say. The statistics don’t back it up. Not even close. It’s a classic example of something believed simply because it’s oft repeated, but actual study of the situation shows otherwise. Seriously look at what the actual experts have to say instead of relying on folks whose main job is entertainment, not education. Really just try to reason out the math and you’ll see. You need EVIDENCE to back up a theory.
@cosmo
This team, top to bottom can go 1st to 3rd and 2nd to home against anyone. Take out the catchers and who is slow? Even Pete can get it done.
LOL
*Buck Showalter has entered the chat*
@darkside
I don’t want to jinx this, but these comebacks are starting to feel very 1986.
One injury to either McCann or Nido and Alvarez is up to stay. That leaves 1 or 2 bullpen spots and maybe one solid swing man needed at this time.
No one assumes every starter will make 30 starts. Peterson and (eventually) deGrom will slot right when needed.
Replacing May won’t be that hard, but he does need to covered because Lugo hasn’t looked that sharp either. I do think Drew Smith is that guy very shortly.
Mets should be seeking relief help WAY before the trade deadline. Like, tomorrow.
I agree, Bill. Especially with TMay out for 2+ months and a very unreliable Ottaviano and Lugo. They also should pursue another viable starter if TWalker continues to pitch batting practice to the opposition like he did last night. It’s apparent he’s still not right from his ‘bursitis’.
If Melancon becomes available, he would be a perfect addition to the Mets. Will be plenty of competition for him.
Mr. Sexy will have few options after this disaster year. Last year = he didn’t know the outs and it cost the Sox a game and almost the playoffs. This year = forgot the outs and failed to score costing an early lead. The ERA of the pitchers when he catches compared to the soon-to-be full-time but know backup catcher = much much higher. He is fat and slow. He doesn’t prepare and doesn’t call the right pitches as the data show. PBs are a problem. He can’t hit. He is no longer a full-time catcher. So, go ahead and keep the options open, but only a dumb team would sign him for full-time work.
I say Boston should turn their fortunes around by making a trade with the Brewers . Houser, Kelly, Narvaez, Sanchez and Wong for Devers and Downs. Gives Red Sox two starting pitchers, bullpen arm, catcher that can help them a lot. Move Story to third, Wong takes second. The Brewers can move Urias to second so Devers get third. Then Small can become the sixth starter with Ashby. Win win for both teams.
You drinking or just doing gummies tonight?
Brewers trade a controllable starter, two quality bullpen pieces (Sanchez is bullpen and I assume Kelly will start there), a starting catcher, and starting 2b for a 3b and a prospect.
Yup that sounds like a textbook “win-win”
Why do you post these massive, nonsensical trades?
Yeah even if he had Connor Wong also going to the Brewers, two Wongs don’t make it right.
I’m sorry that funny. So what would Boston need to add to that trade then in your opinion
Not seeing how Boston would be interested. They can easily resign Devers instead of taking the cast of castaways you threw out there.
Not seeing how Milwaukee would be interested. They could sign Devers and keep all their players Counsel throws out there to win games.
Hahaha what are you talking about
Heyman making crap up as always I see.
David Stearns with a actual payroll is a scary thought
More Lorenzo Cain signings?
Cohen and Stearns will be lethal. It’s only a matter of time.
Also, sleep tight Phillies fans lmao what a loss
Now that you mentioned it, I never slept more soundly in my life than I did last night. I can’t stand PHI especially Hoskins and Harper.
Stearns hasn’t accomplished anything significant in New York. The Mets are a good enough team without him.
Stearns will want to build his own organization, starting with a GM, who in turn will want his own manager. Eppler and Showalter may end up having a unique, one-year chapter in Mets history.
I hope that doesn’t happen. If the Mets wind up having a successful season, why mess with the formula? Buck seems to be pushing all the right buttons so far.
Not a chance
1. When rumors of Stearns leaving the Brewers for the Mets appeared during the offseason, we read here in the chatroom from Brewers fans that Stearns would be signing an extension in Spring Training. That hasn’t occurred.
2. Any writings or comments that come out of “reporters” from a major “news” organization located in the NYC area need to be posted with a sticker:
WARNING: What you’re hearing / being told is primarily meant to make the news not report it; as well as to promote the agenda of the person doing said reporting. Any similarity between that is written / said and reality is purely coincidental.
The above Warning applies to any type of news, not just sports…..but most Americans know that.
Cruz has played 18 games at short. 2 games in left. I dont think there has been an adoption of a new spot yet.
Top Pirates prospect Oneil Cruz lit up the minor leagues last season and regularly draws comparisons to Aaron Judge, but Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette outlines a few reasons to temper expectations for the young slugger.
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This is why I pay for a subscription to FG and PFF, but not MLB-R, and I’ve told them that.
Every time a good prospect stays down, MLB-R insinuates that it is control related. Which is sometimes true. But more often than not, it is because the player needs a lot more minor league experience, This is the case with Cruz, imo.
He didn’t ‘light up the minors last year’. His K/W in AA was 64/20. That’s not ‘lighting it up’, especially with only 12 HRs in 250 ABs. If you are at 64/20 in AA, what does that translate to in the pros?
And so this year, he has a 29/11 K/W. Slightly better, but he has a way to go. I’m not writing the kid off, but imho, he’s not a great prospect.
K:BB ratio might not be great, but he still had a 158 wRC+, which was the 10th best mark among all minor leaguers with 300+ PA’s. Also, I don’t see how the comparrison to Judge and a reporter saying to temper expecations right now is making the point that they’re only keeping him down for service time reasons.
MLBTR is agent oriented, political, and rotisserie league / stat oriented. They do not appear to watch many games (same with most posters). They also hold small market teams to standards that they do not have for large and most mid-market teams. (Points that broadcasters of MLB teams games bring up after watching the teams daily are usually a 180 from what a person reads here).
Cruz missed a year when the minor leagues were shut down. He’s 23. On the other hand, Soto came up mid-season at age 19 and was immediately productive offensively.
You are correct – Cruz is not Soto.
Someone needs to do an explanation of the baseball front office hierarchy. I assume if you’re president of baseball operations, you’re calling all the shots, you’re the boss, it’s all on you. So what does the GM do then? Because it seems like the president of baseball ops assumes the GM’s responsibilities, making the GM more or less disposable. Like some teams have a president of baseball ops, a vice president of baseball ops, a gm and an assistant/vice gm. It seems like a lot of people are being hired to do the same job.
FINALLY, the Mets are considering Rosenthal! I’ve been expecting for him to sign with NY for 6 months. I really don’t understand why he’s still out there after proving himself healthy. Rosenthal at 80% is better than most teams’ last three bullpen guys.
We don’t know if the Mets are considering Rosenthal. The article says that it’s Heyman’s suggestion.
I’m really not too worried about Cruz. Slow start, yes, but with his kind of power, even if he makes contact at an average rate he’ll be hitting 30+ dingers a year in the majors. So far, he’s displayed at least an average ability to do that. He’s hit .280 or better every year in the minors since 2018, and while he might not be Juan Soto when it comes to drawing walks and avoiding K’s, he’s been about average.
First off, how is ‘..believed to be able to opt out..’ a legitimate detail. It’s a supposition, or for Mets fans, wishful thinking.
Second, this isn’t exactly new either. I’m pretty sure this “detail” was mentioned when he didn’t bolt last off-season and they hired Eppler instead.
Good point and you know what in all honestly if it looks like he will leave. I say the Brewers let him go early with them getting big compensation from the Mets. I think the Mets would be willing to give up some top prospects. Now before Brewer fans get upset with me. Brewers could put in the trade with stipulations that Mets can’t contact any other FO or personal for 4 years. Also remember Sterns is just one person. When Sterns leaves we will still have a very good personal especially if the Mets can’t take any of them.
and I mean I want Batty and Vientos in this deal no matter what
I don’t see the Mets (assuming there is truth that they want Stearns, and he wants to go there..) giving anything up to get him early when they can just wait til the season is over. And Stearns probably isn’t going to want them to give away assets to get him, that he could potentially use himself once he gets there..or keep as part of their future.
They’d probably give up Cano tomorrow though, if Mark A is willing to do it right now..
You both need to put down the bong
Well Cruz needs to look at it this way. If you want to be in the line up more you need to play outfield. It’s not really a want, its a need. Pirates have some quality players and they all need time too.
I think he could be one of the best out fielders in the game but i do also think he could be a good short stop at least for a couple years.
christian vazquez TRASH TRASH TRASH TRASH TRASH TRASH