Overview

I can't argue your evidence but I did highlight the bolden post-season because that plays a big part IMO in a player's career in consideration for the Hall. If their teams made it that far. To me I don't have a problem with Bill Mazeroski being in the hall of fame even if the rest of his stats don't cut the mustard. He hit probably the most epic home run in Major League Baseball history. That to me added significantly to his Hall of Fame Resume. I would not have an issue or argument against Eli Manning being a first ballot Hall of Famer either based on his two playoff/Super Bowl runs even if the rest of his stats might not cut the mustard either. To me my first thought about Billy Wagner was he really wasn't a big if any upgrade over Armando Benitez. Billy and Steve Traschel I thought were the main duds that series, not Carlos Beltran. I mean it ultimately is what it is. Go Bills

WRT Wagner, not only does he pass the eye test but the empirical evidence is there, as well.

I actually consider myself pretty stingy on my personal HOF votes. One of my main rules is “if I have to think about it for more than a couple seconds, they likely don’t belong. I think both of them belong. I think the reason Wagner took so long is the same reason pitchers like deGrom (statistically superior, but not a lot of wins because their team sucked) never used to win the Cy Young … it took a while for voters to smarten up. For closers, it’s similar to DHs. They don’t play dull games, so they didn’t get votes. We’re seeing a shift, which is long overdue. I think closers deserve consideration more than designated hitters.

@Gugny @Another Fan Sorry, I completely respect your opinions but we're going to agree to disagree on this one. He absolutely belongs. 1) He struck out a third of all batters he faced which is the highest strikeout rate of any pitcher with at least 900 innings. There have been 1,173 pitchers who have thrown 900 innings in the Live Ball Era (since 1920). He ranks: - First in batting average allowed (.187; Nolan Ryan is second and Sandy Koufax third). - First in strikeout percentage (33.2%; Jacob deGrom is second). - Second in WHIP (0.994; deGrom is first). - Second in OBP allowed (.262; deGrom is first). - Second in OPS allowed (.558; Mariano Rivera is first). - Third in lowest slugging (.296; Rivera is first and J.R. Richard second). 2) He allowed hits and baserunners less often than most pitchers. He was historically difficult to hit and also did it in the highest leverage situations until the end of his career. 3) His 2.31 ERA and 0.994 WHIP are the best for a southpaw in the Live Ball Era. 4) He was a seven-time All-Star. It took him 10 years because, among other things, his career innings total is the lowest among Hall of Fame relievers, he faced more competition from other closers with 600-plus saves, like Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman, and he wasn't great in the post-season.

To me he was a compiler and never a truly dominant player. I want Hall of Famers to be iconic, no-doubters. It's subjective and fun to debate. Years ago there was a poster who was very knowledgeable about baseball who mocked me when I said I thought Yadier Molina would be a HOFer. Different strokes for different folks. The real tragedy to me is that I've never been to Cooperstown. Incomprehensible.

I think what Franco did as a lefty should have gotten him in.

I've said it before, I'm a tough grader when it comes to the HOF. I wouldn't put Wagner in and definitely not Franco. The fact that it took 10 years for Wagner to get in speaks volumes to me. Great player, just not a HOFer in my eyes.

@Gugny @SinceThe70s Wagner definitely deserved to be elected. It was long overdue, IMO. It's a shame that they made him wait until his very last year of eligibility, but better late than never.

I think they are both deserving and definitely thing Franco is more deserving. Doesn’t even require thought, IMO.

@ExWNYer@Gugny@SinceThe70s happy belated New Year. Any thoughts on Billy Wagner making the Hall of Fame? To me Johnny Franco seems just as or if not more deserving

I believe Pete will return. There are other options that will probably land elsewhere before him. Plus, he just belongs there. He still has some mashing left in his bat. I read he lead all 1st baseman in successful "scoops". I wasn't aware, impressive. I had a thought the Yankees might get involved (I'm sure they've inquired) but just don't see it. I'd absolutely welcome it! For sure an over payment for Fried. By all accounts, they had to go the extra year and dollars to secure him. The price of doing business in a hotly contested market. The Williams signing has me excited. I'd like to see 2 of Walker 1B, Bregman 3B or Bellinger CF, 1B to round out the lineup and greatly solidify the defense. Walker and Bregman leadership would be huge too. These guys will have plenty of suitors. By not winning the Soto sweepstakes, it enables Cashman to spread the wealth around and make a more complete roster. At least in theory. Love the hot stove!!

As I said above, I think they like Pete but they're going to wait and see if the market comes back to them. If somebody blows him out of the water with dollars and term, I think the Mets will let him walk. If Boras can get him a big contract, more power to them both but I don't believe the market is there for Alonso that they'd hoped. He didn't have a good walk year which hurt his value. I'd like to have him back because he has a chance to break the all-time Mets HR mark (until Soto more than likely passes him) but I will not be devastated if he leaves and I really don't hope they gove him more than $150M-$160M max. That's about in tGreat guy, loves NY, can mash, but is a so-so 1st baseman and can't hit for average. I'd rather see him eventually become the DH, if he re-signs. He's heading into his 30s and guys like him don't typically age well. We'll see. Like you said, they do need another bat though to protect Soto, especially if Pete walks. The Soto signing was great but they still have work to do , especially with the staff. I do want Manaea re-signed. All indications are that he loved his time with the Mets. Again, if somebody offers him 5 years or more, I think the Mets will pass. It's not Stearns' m.o. to hand out long-term contracts to pitchers. It's a strategy I'm onboard with because there is just so much volatility and injury risk with these pitchers today. FWIW, I think the Yanks did a nice job pivoting after losing Soto. I think Fried was a slight overpay, especially with his injury history, but I like him and am glad he's out of the NL East. They may be trying to out pitch teams this year rather than out slug them.

Yankee fan here. Soto a good get for sure. Though I'm not a fan of the super long contracts. Do you think they re-sign Pete? They do need another big bat. Re-signing Manea? Cohen has the money, he just needs to commit to build out the roster.

David Stearns was interviewed at the Winter Meetings in Dallas about some of the peripheral UFAs from last year's team like Iglesias and Winker. He said he's been in contact with with every one of their guys who is not under contract and there is interest in bringing some back but FA goes into January, February, & March. I think he views them both as "back burner" types because there are bigger fish to fry at the moment. I would love to have both Iglesias and Winker back. They are both terrific culture and glue guys. I also think they're going to wait and see if the market for Pete comes back to them. If somebody blows him out of the water with dollars and term, I think the Mets will let him walk. I'd like him back but I don't want to break the bank for him. If he walks, I'm okay with that, as well. I don't think he'll age well. Power hitters like him usually don't and there is no position flexibility with him. He may also eventually end up as a DH only. Crochet, as you know by now, was traded to the Red Sox. Apparently, the Chisox wanted the Mets top two prospects in Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat. Sproat is their top pitching prospect who may see time with the big club before 2025 is over so the Mets balked. I don't have an issue with it. If they could have put together another package without him that, would have been great. Unfortunately, the White Sox insisted on Sproat being included. I am on record as saying I loved the Mendoza hiring from the start and I openly wanted them to hire Stearns. I really believe that Cohen is assembling a great front office and management team. You don't become a billionaire 20 times over by not knowing how to hire. LGM!

The Mets have to decide whether they want Pete or Iglesias back and at what price. Both are more than just UFA's (hired guns) to the Mets imo. Uncle Steve may decide that he won't be outbid on Pete. Maybe not. Everything I read is focused on free agents, but the Mets have some legit prospects and I wonder whether Nimmo would be considered a trade chip. There's been some buzz around the White Sox trading Crochet. BTW, tonight I watched the replay of the clincher against the Braves. I had too much going on that day and didn't see a pitch of that game.My biggest take away is how happy I am with the manager. Tremendous job this season and in that game. I'm not sure if there was a single pitcher out of the bullpen that I trusted consistently this year. The mound visit to Diaz in the 9th was outstanding.

All true except that Pete & Iglesias are UFAs. I'd love to have Iglesias back but he may get more money elsewhere. I think when all is said and done, 'The Polar Bear' will be back with the Mets. I don't think he and Boras get as much as they had hoped. I may be wrong...just my two cents. BTW, I like the Clay Holmes signing but the Jose Siri signing as the CF replacement for Bader doesn't float my boat. He's a plus defender but has a weak stick. If Pete is not back, we need another thumper in the lineup to protect Soto.

This is the day we all expected when Cohen bought the Mets. I'm interested to see how they construct the rest of the roster. On the aging side there are decisions to be made with Pete, Nimmo, McNeil, Marte and Iglesias. On the younger end of the spectrum it's Vientos, Acuna, Mauricio, Baty and Jett Willliams.

@SinceThe70s @Gugny @Another Fan Wow! Juan Soto is a Met, boys. 15 years for $765 million. Insane. LFGM!!! https://nypost.com/2024/12/08/sports/juan-soto-signing-with-mets-on-15-year-765-million-contract/

No es bueno.

@ExWNYer @Gugny @Another Fan Great news fellas, Yoenis wants back in! “I’m ready to play but just for the Mets,” Cespedes wrote from his official Instagram account. https://nypost.com/2024/11/21/sports/yoenis-cespedes-declares-his-mets-reunion-desires-on-instagram/

After last season not much the Mets would have done would have excited me. That being said the image I had of Stearns was he was too much of an analytical guru for this to work. His age and lack of experience playing the game I thought would be a determinant to him being able to spot younger talent. That being said I'm happy to admit I was off on him. The moves he made all seemed to work last season. I have full faith in team and Mendoza going forward. The Yankees losing the World Series to the Dodgers definitely helped me feel good about the year. While they had a real good season sorry that would have a real bitter pill for me to swallow seeing the Yankees celebrating another championship.

@Gugny I don't understand the bolded comment. He is universally recognized as one of the really good, young baseball minds in MLB today. He has done a phenomenal job over the years assembling pitching staffs for a budget conscious team in Milwaukee and he pieced together a staff this year for the Mets that got them all the way to the NLCS. They have a ton of money coming off the books and I fully expect him to go big game hunting with Uncle Steve's checkbook and I expect some good value/budget signings, as well. He is also savvy with the minor leagues and is working to build a robust farm system. They are off to a good start there, IMO. He also grew up a Met fan in NYC and knows what kind of player it takes to make it in Queens. I said I was excited when they got him and I stand by that. I was also onboard with the Mendoza signing and I am more than happy with him now. I don't think there are any young, 'up and coming' managers at the moment better than Mendy. They've tried new, they've tried experienced, and nothing has worked. I think this one ultimately will. He's a knowledgeable baseball guy through and through with good situational awareness and feel for the game. I have more genuine hope with Cohen, Stearns, & Mendoza than I have had in decades. But, as always, time will tell. It was a great year, no doubt. It was easier to let go after losing in the NLCS because of the many magical moments we got to experience but there is still a small piece of me that was disappointed and wonders "what if". So many runners left on base in that series. A few timely knocks here and there and it may have turned out differently. We will never know now, obviously, but I honestly believe we would have handled the Skanks and been World Series Champions. How sweet would that have been to win it AND take down the 'Evil Empire' in a a year that seemed doomed from the start? They would have been the modern day 'Miracle Mets' (although it's hard to say that based on payroll). I was pulling for the Dodgers 100% in the WS although I threw up in my mouth a little doing so. In any event, I really enjoyed this season when all was said and done and I am really looking forward to the 'Hot Stove' season. The Soto sweepstakes should be interesting. BTW, the Dodgers said they're interested in Soto if he is interested in them. WTF? How much more do they need?? If they land him, baseball is truly broken. Soto said he would listen to everyone and is not taking any deferred money like Ohtani did. He's not giving the Skanks a 'hometown' discount so it will be interesting to see if Steinbrenner is all in on bringing him back or if Soto grabs his bag elsewhere. Also, I will always love Pete Alonso for that HR in Milwaukee but I am ambivalent about bringing him back. I didn't think I would feel that way coming into his last season but I do. If he comes back, cool. If he leaves, I'm good. Just don't break the bank for him if it costs you a chance at Juan Soto and an ace like Corbin Burnes. If I had my way, I'd get Willy Adames (Brewers UFA), stick him at 3B, move Vientos to 1B, and let Pete walk. As always gents...LGM!

Great year and great run for sure. Completely unexpected going into the season and even moreso after the horrible start. Still, I can't shake the feeling that it was a missed opportunity. But then I look at the run diferential against the Dodgers (46-26) and realize they were fortunate to make it as far as they did.

@ExWNYer @SinceThe70s @Gugny Disappointed about last night but obviously can't be too down on the team. Great year and great run. Shed some demons along the way I feel: winning the big game late in Atlanta, beating the Phillies made up a bit for 2007 & 2008. While the Stearns hire didn't excite me last year and I didn't like the Mendoza one additionally..... they both did a great job last year. I have a lot of optimism for the both of them moving forward. I won't watch the Series but will still pull for the Dodgers.

Looks like the Dodgers were the ones to administer last rites...