We Are METS Believers

08/12/2023

Francisco Lindor told Newsday he recently invited Brett Baty to Orlando to come work on defense and 'offensive consistency' together.

Lindor has already spent time working with Mark Vientos this winter on the same things, and is hoping Baty accepts his invitation.

(📸 USA TODAY)

08/12/2023

Mets announce they've signed OF/1B Taylor Kohlwey to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training.

Kohlwey, 2023 (AAA): 124 G, 518 PA, .276/.390/.437, 12 HR, 73 RBI, 43 XBH, 15 SB, 75 BB, 86 K

08/12/2023

Mets are signing right handed reliever Jorge López to a 1 yr/$2M deal, per Jeff Passan.

López, 30, really struggled last season (61 G, 5.95 ERA, 1.51 WHIP), but was an AL All-Star in 2022 (67 G, 2.54 ERA, 1.18 WHIP). An interesting bounce-back candidate.

06/12/2023

Mets selected RHP Justin Slaten (TEX) seventh overall in the Rule-5 Draft, but he's been traded to the Red Sox for LHP Ryan Ammons and cash considerations.

Ammons was a 10th round pick in the 2023 Draft. Reliever of out Clemson University.

06/12/2023

Mets POBO David Stearns on the importance of defense/run prevention when building a roster:

"Defense is an important part of roster construction. I like talking about run prevention a lot, because it requires the entirety of your roster. Everyone contributes to run prevention, so it's something that can really bring your team together. When a pitcher gives up a run, its not just the pitcher. Maybe we didn't have the defender in the right spot, or maybe we didn't get a great break. Similarly, when a pitcher has a good game, it's often because there was really good defense played behind him. Certainly we're gonna try to build teams here over the years that are very sound run prevention teams, and hopefully we can make some acquisitions throughout the course of this offseason that get us on that path."

06/12/2023

Mets are talking with free agent CF Michael A. Taylor about a potential deal, per SNY.

Taylor, who is considered one of the best defensive center fielders in the league, hit .220/.278/.442 with 21 HR and 51 RBI in 129 games with the Twins last season.

06/12/2023

Steve Cohen and David Stearns flew to Japan last week to meet with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, per The Athletic.

Mets are gearing up for a big run at Yamamoto, who will likely command a $250M+ contract as he receives serious interest from teams like the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, Phillies, Cubs, Cardinals and Giants as well.

06/12/2023

Mets have signed right handed reliever Michael Tonkin to a 1-year split contract worth $1M, per Mark Feinsand.

Tonkin, 2023: 45 G, 80 IP, 4.28 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 4.43 FIP, 2.6 BB/9, 8.4 K/9

Tonkin, 34, primarily throws a sinker (92-95 MPH) along with a slider (81-84 MPH) that generated a 30.4% whiff rate last season.

05/12/2023

Fedde is signing with the White Sox for 2 yrs/$15M, per Jeff Passan.

05/12/2023

Mets second selection is slotted at #46 overall. However they could lose that pick, their fifth rounder and $1M in IFA bonus pool money if they sign a player with the qualifying offer attached since they're a luxury tax team.

QO players: SP/DH Shohei Ohtani, 3B Matt Chapman, OF Cody Bellinger, LHP Blake Snell, LHP Josh Hader

05/12/2023

Mets will select 19th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft.

Draft lottery had them picking ninth, but their pick is automatically dropped 10 spots due to 2023 luxury tax penalties. If their pick had landed in the top six it would've been protected from dropping.

05/12/2023

Mets announce they've signed SS José Iglesias to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training.

Iglesias, 2023 (AAA): 28 G, 135 PA, .317/.356/.537, 4 HR, 27 RBI, 18 XBH, 9 BB, 22 K

05/12/2023

Mets and White Sox are the two finalists for RHP Erick Fedde, who is expected to finalize a deal in the 2 yr/$10M range by tomorrow. (Mark Feinsand)

Fedde, 2023 (KBO): 30 G, 180.1 IP, 2.00 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9, 10.4 K/9

05/12/2023

David Stearns on how he's approaching the trade market this offseason:

“If we’re going to trade young players, if we’re going to trade players that could potentially impact our team for multiple years, we’re going to expect multiple years coming back. I think what we will likely avoid, is trading younger players for that one year rental. I don't think that makes a ton of sense for our team right now. But where we can find matches with other organizations where we get really good players coming back who can help us for multiple years, we're certainly gonna be open to that."

05/12/2023

Quick summary of David Stearn's media session at the Winter Meetings:

- Club definitely needs to sign at least one more SP, preferably more

- No interest in bringing in a third baseman. Baty/Mauricio/Vientos/Wendle are all options there.

- Looking to add an outfielder who will receive "significant playing time"

- Bullpen needs a lot of work

04/12/2023

Mets have announced their 2024 coaching staff

04/12/2023

Jarred Kelenic dealt to Atlanta on the five-year anniversary of the Robinson Canó/Edwin Díaz trade

Braves reportedly acquire OF Jarred Kelenic, LHP Marco Gonzales and 1B Evan White from Mariners for RHPs Cole Phillips and Jackson Kowar, per MLB.com's Daniel Kramer.

03/12/2023

With the Winter Meetings starting today, here's an updated look at the top free agents available ⬇️

03/12/2023

Mets have "strong interest" in KBO outfielder Jung Hoo Lee, per USA TODAY.

Lee, 25, has hit .318/.406/.455 across seven seasons (884 games) in South Korea. Lee is a strong contact hitter with a solid eye at the plate and low strikeout rates. Doesn't have a ton of power, but is also a plus defender in center field and right field.

(📸 Getty Images)

01/12/2023

Mets have claimed two players off waivers:

- C/1B/OF Cooper Hummell from Seattle

- C Tyler Heineman from Toronto

Hummell hit .262/.409/.435 in 104 games at Triple-A last season, and Heineman hit .237/.383/.316 in 22 games with the Blue Jays and Pirates.

01/12/2023

Mets have signed RHP Kyle Crick to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training, per The Athletic.

Crick, 31, has a 3.56 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over parts of six seasons in the big leagues. He primarily throws a slider (79-81 MPH) that consistently generates 3000+ RPM.

01/12/2023

Multiple rival clubs believe the Mets should be considered the favorite for Yoshinobu Yamamoto, per New York Post.

Executives around the league believe Yamamoto's contract floor will be $200M, with the possibility of it going as high as $250M+, per Jeff Passan.

30/11/2023

Some offseason notes from SNY's Andy Martino leading up to the Winter Meetings:

- Mets "heavily in the mix" for Yoshinobu Yamamoto

- Club is working to add "several more" starting pitchers, with names like Jordan Montgomery and Shōta Imanaga on their radar in addition to Yamamoto

- Currently not engaged in trade talks for Juan Soto, Tyler Glasnow or any player that would cost significant prospect capital

- Steve Cohen would aggressively pursue Shohei Ohtani if the club receives any indication that Ohtani is interested in coming to Queens, but so far there does not seem to be any indication

Here's the latest on where the Mets stand in the markets for star talents Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Juan Soto.

30/11/2023

Mets announce they've signed righty reliever Austin Adams to a one-year Major League, non-guaranteed split contract.

Adams, 2023: 24 G, 17.1 IP, 5.71 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 3.72 FIP, 4.2 BB/9, 11.4 K/9

Adams primarily throws a slider (87-89 MPH) while also mixing in a four seamer (93-95 MPH).

30/11/2023

Mets officially announce three major front office additions:

Eduardo Brizuela: Vice President and Special Assistant to David Stearns

Kris Gross: Vice President, Amateur Scouting

Andy Green: Senior Vice President, Player Development

David Stearns: “The additions of Eduardo, Andy and Kris will bolster an already talented staff. Each of these individuals bring valuable experience and perspective to Queens. We are excited to get to work on building an organization with the goal of a sustainable winning culture.”

FLUSHING, N.Y., November 30, 2023 — The New York Mets today announced several additions to the team’s front office. Eduardo Brizuela has…

30/11/2023

"That is why you can hear this from an executive who said his perception is the Mets are going full bore in trying to land Japanese stars Yoshinobu Yamamoto and S***a Imanaga, among others, “They’re not messing around. I don’t think they have the stomach for a year or two to get the ship turned around.”"

David Stearns knows what it is like to live in two baseball worlds, trying to honor the present without disrupting the future.

30/11/2023

Mets are signing INF Joey Wendle to a 1 yr/$2M deal, per SNY.

Wendle, 33, hit .212/.248/.306 in 112 games with the Marlins last season. He is a career .263/.312/.386 hitter over eight seasons and is known for being a strong defender with experience at SS, 2B and 3B.

29/11/2023

Mets are showing interest in LHP Eduardo Rodriguez, per MetsMerizedOnline.com

Rodriguez, 30, posted a career best 3.30 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 26 starts with the Tigers last season.

29/11/2023

BREAKING: Mets are signing RHP Luis Severino to a 1 yr/$13M deal, per ESPN.

2015-22: 638 IP, 3.39 ERA, 3.39 FIP, 1.12 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9, 10.0 K/9

2023: 89.1 IP, 6.65 ERA, 6.14 FIP, 1.65 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9, 8.0 K/9

The 29-year-old is a strong bounce-back candidate as he joins the Mets rotation.

28/11/2023

Pete Alonso was at MSG last night watching some New York Rangers hockey 🏒

(📸 Mike Ashmore)

27/11/2023

Mets have hired M. Scott Havens as their new President of Business Operations, per New York Post.

Havens, the CEO of Bloomberg Media, will be responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership for the Mets, overseeing the Senior Leadership Team for all Front Office functions except Baseball Operations.

Havens: “The opportunity to join the Mets organization is a lifelong dream fulfilled. I’m thrilled to build upon the great work under way, accelerating the push to modernize our strategy across the organization, driving new digital and media innovation, and ultimately, to provide our fans with the best experience in sports. I’m grateful to Steve and Alex for this opportunity and am looking forward to working with the entire leadership team to shape the future of the Mets together.”

(📸 Bloomberg)

24/11/2023

Former Mets catcher Ron Hodges passed away this morning at the age of 74.

Hodges spent all 12 seasons of his MLB career with the Mets from 1973-1984.

RIP 💙

24/11/2023

Very interesting article detailing Mets owner Steve Cohen's first three years in baseball and his aggressive pursuit of building a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in the Citi Field parking lot.

The billionaire hedge-funder is used to getting what he wants. His time as Mets owner and casino bidder is a whole different ballgame.

23/11/2023

Gary Carter & John Gibbons at Mets spring training in 1986 💙

23/11/2023

Here's how the Mets coaching staff is shaping up under new manager Carlos Mendoza:

Bench coach: John Gibbons
Pitching coach: Jeremy Hefner
Hitting coach: Eric Chavez
Co-hitting coach: Jeremy Barnes
First base/outfield coach: Antoan Richardson
Third base/infield coach: Mike Sarbaugh
Catching coach: Glenn Sherlock

Bullpen coach yet to be finalized, but reports suggest its down to José Rosado and AJ Sager.

23/11/2023

Some additional coaching staff notes:

- Mike Sarbaugh is being hired as third base/infield coach (held same role with Cleveland from '13-'23)

- Antoan Richardson is being hired as first base/outfield coach (held same role with San Francisco from '20-'23)

- Glenn Sherlock will return as catching coach.

23/11/2023

Mets are hiring John Gibbons as their next bench coach, per The Athletic.

Gibbons, who played 18 games for the Mets as a catcher between 1984-86, had two stints as the Blue Jays manager ('04-'08, '13-'18).

22/11/2023

Yoshinobu Yamamoto's agent Joel Wolfe spoke to Japanese media today:

- Already gotten calls from 10+ teams expressing interest
- Yamamoto has no geographical preference
- Open to playing with other Japanese players
- Will likely make a decision after Winter Meetings (Dec. 4-7)

Well known at this point that Mets will be aggressive in their pursuit of Yamamato, and Kodai Senga plans to recruit his fellow countryman.

22/11/2023

Corbin Burnes, Dylan Cease, Tyler Glasnow and Shane Bieber are all expected to be available on the trade market this offseason.

If the Mets could acquire one of these frontline starters, who would you most like to see land in Queens?

22/11/2023

Willie Randolph is not a candidate for the Mets bench coach job, per Newsday.

However, it's possible Randolph could end up with the Mets in a different capacity.

The former Yankees star and Mets manager could wind up with the Mets in a different capacity.