On Players Who Left

He discussed how he can understand when fans get upset when fan favorite players leave the team. Those players were with the team when he first took ownership of the team and he developed relationships with them. He said it creates anxiety when player leave and you have not replaced them yet.

Howie described the Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil trades as, “strictly baseball decisions,” compared to deciding not to bring back players who were free agents. On Pete Alonso, Cohen said that under certain circumstances he could have seen a reunion but bluntly stated, “we weren’t going to go five years.” He said Pete got a great offer that would not have worked for the Mets. Every move they made this offseason was not thinking only about 2026, but for the future as well.

On Edwin Díaz, Cohen stated he felt the Mets offer was better than the Dodgers’ offer because their offer did not include the fourth-year conditional club option. He said he found the Díaz negotiations perplexing and that he still does not know how Edwin came to his decision, but Díaz made the decision he felt was best for him. He also said he felt Stearns was very clever to sign Devin Williams when he did and not hedge everything on Díaz returning.

Freddy Peralta. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

On the New Mets Players

Cohen used the word “disciplined” to describe the New York Mets this offseason. He also said it was rollercoaster and said he is routinely reminded by president of baseball operations David Stearns that the offseason does not end in December and can continue well into February.

Cohen described the front office as preparing for all possibilities throughout the offseason and that they were talking with Bo Bichette throughout the Kyle Tucker negotiations. They understood there was no guarantee Tucker would come to Queens and once the roster was completed he said he feels now that Bichette fits the roster better than Tucker would have. Similar to Díaz, he felt the Mets’ bid was superior to the Dodgers’ but the player made a decision based on personal preference.

Cohen described the new Mets’ roster as fun to watch with a hitters that bring better defense and a lot of contact. He is excited for the young players coming up from the minors as well as the players acquired through free agency and trades. Nolan McLean is one prospect he said he is excited to watch pitch in 2026. He described new starter Freddy Peralta as an established veteran that is great in the clubhouse and brings a great personality.

Cohen said he always wanted the Mets’ roster to have a balance of young players and veterans and what they are building here can over the next few years create sustainable success.

On the State of the Mets’ Organization

Cohen stated he is excited by the 2026 Mets roster and described the new faces as “gamers” that are playoff tested and playoff performers. Cohen said he is excited by the energy these new players have brought to spring training and said he thinks fans are going to be excited by the type of ball the Mets are going to play.

Cohen added he has a great relationship with manager Carlos Mendoza and that he will talk and text Mendoza when he has an idea. He said he and Stearns are in constant contact and he loves that whenever he has a question Stearns always knows the answer. “It takes a lot of anxiety away from me that I know things are run the way they are supposed to be run,” Cohen explained. He described the front office as very strong.

He also said that while he is heavily involved in the team as a whole, he usually does not interfere with baseball decisions. He will make suggestions, but in the end David Stearns and his staff have the final say. He says he tried to ask the right questions and hold his staff accountable, but they are far more knowledgeable than he is on what the best baseball decisions are. He is not going to step in and override David Stearns.

We saw that process work well in 2025 when they followed Stearns’ plan to wait out the Alonso market. Stearns then brought Cohen in at the end of the process when they signed Alonso to his two-year contract with an opt out.

Carlos Beltrán. Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY

On the Mets Hall of Fame

On the inductions of Carlos Beltrán, Bobby Valentine, and Lee Mazzilli Cohen described those discussions and phone calls. Cohen gets the final say on who is inducted and described the process as something he looks forward to. He loves getting to have that phone call to notify them they have been selected and said all three of them are still heavily involved in the organization. He said all three of them do not shy away from giving their advice or view of the current Mets.

Carlos Beltrán is a special advisor to the Mets currently and was just voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame with a Mets cap. He described Beltran as a resource that communicates well with players and develops strong relationships and trust with them. He also provides a viewpoint and expertise that helps the front office and the team think about all aspects of what they are trying to accomplish. Beltran is only the third player to go in with a Mets cap on and Cohen wants to see more players reach the Hall of Fame as Mets.

On the 1986 Mets

Howie described the 1986 Mets as their contemporaries. Howie turned 72 soon after recording the interview and Cohen is turning 70 in June. Cohen has gotten to know Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling well through their work at SNY. He got to know Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden through their number retirement process. He touched on how he has gotten to know those members as well as Mookie Wilson and had dinners with them hearing them talk about how much they love baseball and love to share their stories and experiences. He said his discussions with these former Mets stars also impacts how he views the team now. 2026 will be the 40th anniversary of that World Series season.

On Metropolitan Park

Howie described that vision as finally becoming reality. When Cohen bought this team he kept hearing about how there is nothing to do before or after the game. He became dedicated to make Citi Field a destination that people will want to spend the whole day at. Their goal is to make the community and fans proud with this project. It is complex and they are continually spending a lot of time thinking about it and how they can improve the area.

On the Upcoming CBA Negotiations

Cohen described himself as just one of 30 owners and that a lot can happen over the course of the 2026 season before he needs to worry about the CBA negotiations. He will let central baseball handle that and he will stay focused on the 2026 season and bringing a championship to Queens. It is hard to predict the future so he will figure it out when they get there.

The post Steve Cohen Interview with Howie Rose appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

In terms of the Mets, what Hall of Famers, past, present, and future, who already have Mets caps on their plaques or who might get one one day? Who, currently in the Hall of Fame, could’ve worn Mets hats? Players have input on what cap they choose to wear, but that is ultimately up to the Hall of Fame.

While the Mets have numbers retired at Citi Field, only two have Mets ballcaps in Cooperstown. Casey Stengel and Gil Hodges are also in the Hall of Fame, but they wear Brooklyn Dodgers (Hodges) and New York Yankees (Stengel) hats, respectively. 

Mets With Caps In The Hall

Tom Seaver

We start with The Franchise, the man who has a statue outside Citi Field’s main entrance. From 1967 to 1977, and again in 1983, Tom Seaver made seven All-Star teams with the Mets and helped the Mets win the 1969 World Series and the 1973 pennant. He won all three of his Cy Youngs as a Met in 1969, 1973, and 1975. Seaver is the Mets’ all-time leader in wins (198) and strikeouts (2,541). Seaver was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988. 

Mike Piazza

The second Mets representative in Cooperstown and the greatest hitter in Mets history. Mike Piazza was traded to the Mets in 1998 and helped turn those teams into contenders, leading them to back-to-back NLCS appearances in 1999 and 2000, while winning the pennant in 2000. Piazza was a seven-time All-Star and a five-time Silver Slugger as a Met. Piazza hit 220 home runs, 655 RBIS, and a .296 average with the Mets. He was voted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Guys In the Hall Who Could’ve Had Mets Caps

Gary Carter

This is the most notable and the one many argue should’ve been in the Hall of Fame as a Met. Gary Carter was traded to the Mets in 1985 and was the last piece of the puzzle for the 1986 World Series championship team. Carter brought leadership to the team and, along with Keith Hernandez (we’ll get to him), was named a co-captain. Carter made the All-Star team four times and won a Silver Slugger during his five-year run in Queens. He’s, of course, most remembered for starting the dramatic comeback in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.

Carter was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003 as a Montreal Expo, a team he spent 12 years with. Famously, Carter expressed a desire to go into the Hall in a Mets cap. However, the Hall of Fame determined that his accomplishments in Montreal during those years warranted his induction as an Expo. While Carter may not be in the Hall of Fame in the blue and orange, his number should be in the rafters of Citi Field. He spent many years in Montreal, but he’s most remembered for his time with the Mets and the 1986 team.

Gary Carter in 1986. Photo by Westchester County Journal News

Future Mets Hall of Famers?

Carlos Beltran

It’s almost certain that Carlos Beltran will be announced as a Hall of Famer on Tuesday. The question, of course, is what team he will represent in Cooperstown. While Beltran was put on the map as a member of the Kansas City Royals, as well as his 2004 run with the Houston Astros, Beltran spent seven seasons with the Mets and made the All-Star team in six of those seasons.

New York signed him on the heels of that great postseason run with Houston. He became one of the best free agent signings in team history and the best center fielder they’ve ever had. All three of Beltran’s career Gold Gloves and both of his Silver Sluggers came as a Met. Beltran has been a member of the Mets front office since 2023. If Beltran’s name is called, expect him to become the third player to put on a Mets cap. 

Keith Hernandez

One of the biggest omissions from the Hall of Fame, Hernandez is regarded as one of the best first basemen of all time. In 1983, the Mets needed a veteran to teach the club how to win. After a successful run with the St. Louis Cardinals for nine seasons, including winning the National League MVP in 1979 and the World Series in 1982, Hernandez was traded to the Mets, and he would guide them to their most successful era in team history. He was named captain, won six of his 11 Gold Gloves with the Mets, played on three All-Star teams, and, of course, helped them win the World Series in 1986. 

Nowadays, Hernandez is recognized for his 20-year run on the SNY broadcasts with Gary Cohen and former teammate Ron Darling. Hernandez has been part of Mets broadcasts since the late 90s, but his time on SNY since the network’s launch has been nothing short of legendary. Hernandez’s number 17 was retired by the Mets in 2022. His name has gained traction in recent years, so look for him to get in at some point. If he does get in, he could go in as a Met.

David Wright 

Wright’s name is one of the more interesting on the ballot. The fact that he has remained on the ballot right now is a good sign. Though it still won’t be easy for the former Mets captain, as injuries derailed his career. However, his peak was outstanding, and he was a perennial MVP candidate in his prime. As a Met, Wright hit 242 home runs and is the franchise’s all-time leader in RBIs (970) and hits (1,777).

He was a seven-time All-Star and helped the Mets win the division title in 2006. He made a significant return in 2015, contributing to their run to the World Series. Wright would have his number 5 retired in 2025. He also made a name for himself in the World Baseball Classic as “Captain America”.

Wright will be on his third year on the ballot in 2026, and he has stayed on the ballot with 6.2% in 2024 and 8.1% in 2025. It’ll be interesting to see what his vote total will be in 2026, but if he does get in one day, it’s a guarantee The Captain will be on the team he grew up watching in Norfolk, Virginia.

Jacob deGrom

The most recent New York Met and still playing for the Texas Rangers, deGrom became one of the best pitchers in franchise history from 2014-2022. Right there with Seaver and Dwight Gooden. deGrom won Rookie of the Year in 2014 and helped the Mets to the pennant in 2015 all in his first two years in the league. Then, later in the 2017 season, deGrom became the best pitcher in baseball, and he won back-to-back Cy Youngs in 2018 and 2019. He also made the All-Star team four times.

Injuries, however, would be the story of 2021 and 2022 before he departed the Mets in free agency. If not for injuries that held him out of the second half of the 2021 season, it could’ve been one of the best seasons ever by any pitcher. He was that good in the first half on the mound. Injuries have also halted his tenure in Texas, but he bounced back with a really good 2025 season.

Still, deGrom’s resume and peak could put him in Cooperstown one day. If it does, he’ll be the next player to go in wearing the blue and orange. Not to mention his number being retired at Citi Field one day. 

The post Who Wears a Mets Hat in the Hall of Fame? appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Latest Mets News

Citi Field on Saturday played host to the Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico. Both Carlos Beltrán and Carlos Delgado were at Citi Field for the matchup between the two teams.

Beltrán spoke with Chelsea Sherrod of SNY and said that the Mets’ top priorities this offseason are retaining Edwin Díaz and Pete Alonso, plus improving the team’s defense. In discussing his upcoming induction into the Mets’ Hall of Fame next year, Beltran also talked with Sherrod about how though the seven years he was in New York were rocky and had their ups and downs, he was proud of his accomplishments.

Lee Mazzilli talked with SNY Mets about his upcoming induction into the Mets’ Hall of Fame and how what makes it most special is knowing that when his granddaughter goes to Citi Field, she’ll see his picture and know that that’s her grandpa.

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Latest MLB News

Per Francys Romero of the Baseball Writers Association of America, according to sources, Joey Meneses has signed a minor league contract with the Athletics. He is represented by The MAS+ Agency.

According to Roch Kukatko of MASN, per a source familiar with the situation, the Baltimore Orioles are hiring Miguel Cairo as a major league infield coach.

Latest on MMO

Michael Mayer takes a look at the Mets’ free agents and discusses whether the Mets should bring them back or let them walk.

Robert Colonna takes a deep dive into starting pitcher Zac Gallen for a Metsmerized free agent profile.

John Wilson looks at the statistics of Francisco Lindor vs. the fastball in a statistical spotlight piece.

Robert Colonna recaps Beltran’s comments about the Mets’ offseason priorities and the Hall of Fame inductions.

On This Date in Mets History

1961: The Mets unveiled a revised logo that would go on their uniforms, letterhead and official team paraphernalia. 

Born on This Date: Juan Centeno (1989), Mark Corey (1974), Dwight Gooden (1964), Don Hahn (1948), Leon Brown (1948), Harry Chiti (1932).

The post Morning Briefing: Mets Prioritizing Alonso, Díaz appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

BELTRAN ON THE METS OFFSEASON

Edwin Díaz recently opted out of his Mets contract and became a free agent. Beltran acknowledged the importance of securing elite closing talent.

“I do feel that with Edwin Diaz opting out of the contract,” Beltran stated. “There is no doubt we need a closer, hopefully, we can bring him back.”

Beltran also spoke highly of Pete Alonso and that he hopes the Mets will bring him back. He confirmed the front office remains committed to roster improvements.

Defensive upgrades emerged as a central theme in Beltran’s comments.

“I do feel that you know, being able to get better defensively as a team is something that last year really hurt us and this year hopefully, with the new hiring of the coaches and the new people that we have, we are going to be able to accomplish a lot of good things.”

President of baseball operations David Stearns made similar comments at the GM Meetings earlier in the week. He noted that defensive improvement doesn’t only come from adding new players. Current Mets players also need to take a step forward defensively. The team hopes their new coaching hires will help them accomplish those goals.

BELTRAN ON THE METS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION

The interview also touched on Beltran’s upcoming Mets Hall of Fame induction. He reflected on his Mets tenure and expressed deep gratitude for the honor.

“Well first of all I am super proud. I do feel that it is the confirmation of all the efforts you put in as a player,” Beltran said. “The seven years that I was here, there’s no doubt that I went through ups and downs but at the end of the day, when I look at the numbers, I feel proud. Being able to be accepted into any team’s Hall of Fame, it is always a beautiful thing, and I am always happy and grateful for the opportunity.”

His seven-year run with the Mets included impressive achievements. He earned five All-Star appearances, two Gold Gloves, and a pair of Silver Sluggers. He posted a slash line of .280/.369/.500 with 149 home runs, 208 doubles, 559 RBI, 551 runs scored, and 100 stolen bases.

The post Beltran Discusses Mets Offseason Priorities, Hall of Fame Induction appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

On Wednesday, the Mets finished off their seven-game homestand with a bang.

After a Brett Baty two-run homer off of Zack Wheeler, offense was hard to come by as it was knotted at 2-2 going into the eighth. The Mets’ defense continued to keep them in the game, as Juan Soto gunned out Nick Castellanos at the plate in the eighth inning, eventually sending the game into extras. The culmination of the Mets’ perfect homestand would come with a Starling Marte bloop single into center field, scoring Pete Alonso and securing a 4-3 win for New York. For a full game recap, click here!

This win made the Mets 12-1 to start the season at Citi Field, marking their best home record to start a season in team history.

New York has an off day on Thursday as they travel down to D.C. to kick off a four-game set against the Washington Nationals. Kodai Senga, Clay Holmes, Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning are the expected starters for that series. 

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Latest Mets News

Ryne Stanek raved about the Mets pitching development under this new regime, per David Lennon of Newsday. Stanek said New York’s pitching development is is “as good as anywhere I’ve been.”

Carlos Mendoza told reporters that he expects to reinstate Jeff McNeil and Francisco Alvarez from the 10-day IL on Friday. Click here for more on the two Mets’ expected returns.

Mets traded minor leaguer Rowdey Jordan to the Astros, per Mike Mayer of Metsmerized Online. Jordan was an 11th RD pick in 2021. and has a .683 OPS in the minors.

Mets trainers noticed that one of Edwin Díaz’s legs was longer than the other on Tuesday. They fixed the issue, says Díaz: “I was feeling better after”, per SNY. Edwin left Wednesday’s win with what he labeled as a “hip cramp.” Click here for more on Edwin’s injury.

Latest MLB News

The Atlanta Braves selected RHP Jesse Chavez to the major league roster and transferred INF Nacho Alvarez Jr. to the 60-day injured list. 

The Philadelphia Phillies reinstated INF/OF Weston Wilson from the 10-day IL and in return designated INF/OF Kody Clemens for assignment.

The Chicago Cubs signed Nicky Lopez to a one-year major league contract and transferred LHP Justin Steele to the 60-day IL.

Athletics reliever José Leclerc is going to get a second opinion when the A’s are in Texas next week after going down with a lat strain, per Martín Gallegos of MLB.com. He’s shut down for the time being with no timetable for a return.

Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell “didn’t feel great” after playing catch on Tuesday per Dave Roberts. Snell will be shut down from throwing and might go for more imaging, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.

Latest on MMO

Edwin Díaz left Wednesday’s win with a hip cramp.

Jeff McNeil and Francisco Alvarez are expected to return this weekend!

The Mets finish off a perfect homestand!

On This Date in Mets History

2013: Jordany Valdespin hits a walk-off grand slam to give the Mets a 7-3 win over the Dodgers. 

2007: Pinch-hitter Damion Easley ties the Mets at one a piece with the Colorado Rockies in the 10th inning with the club down to their last strike. Endy Chávez would then win the game in the 12t inning with a walk-off drag bunt.

1986: Howard Johnson launches a two-run homer to tie the Mets and Reds in the ninth inning. George Foster then puts the Mets ahead in the 10th with an RBI single. 

1962: Casey Stengel is fined $500 by commissioner Ford Frick for appearing in a Rheingold Beer advertisement while in uniform.

Born on This Date: Tyler Naquin (1991), Carlos Beltrán (1977), Pat Zachry (1952).

The post Morning Briefing: Mets Continued Historic Start at Citi Field appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

B/T: R/R        Age: 18 (11/13/2006)
Height: 6’1″  Weight: 174
Acquired: Signed for $950,000 as an international free agent in 2024
ETA: 2029
2024 Stats: Dominican Summer League: .263/.397/.395/.792, 189 PA, 40 H, 1 HR, 4 3B, 9 2B, 9 SB, 37 SO, 21 BB

Edward Lantigua

OVERVIEW

Want to feel old? Lantigua was born AFTER Carlos Beltrán took that infamous Adam Wainwright curveball for a strike to end the 2006 NLCS. Ok, that was mean, I apologize. So, who is this 18-year-old outfielder?

Lantigua, MLB Pipeline’s No. 41 prospect in the 2024 international free agent class, signed with the Mets for the second-highest bonus the organization gave out, trailing just catcher Yovanny Rodriguez. An outfielder, Pipeline described Lantigua at the time as a player with “premier talent” who “is already one of the most interesting prospects on the international market.”

As international free agents do, the Dominican teen spent his first season of pro ball in the Dominican Summer League, and it was overall a positive showing. His 122 wRC+ was the highest among all Mets qualifiers and 88th out of 300 qualifiers in the DSL. It was even more impressive seeing as he was a 17-year-old, with his wRC+ ranking 45th out of 172 qualifiers who were his age.

He started the season well enough, hitting .212 with an OPS just over .700 in June, but then absolutely took off in July. In 19 games, Lantigua hit .404 with a 1.095 OPS and was named a DSL All-Star during the month. However, he finished the season about as cold as he could possibly be, hitting just .133 with a .435 OPS in 12 games in August.

Lantigua has power and is expected to hit more home runs as he fills out more. He had one of the highest pull rates of Mets minor leaguers in the DSL, and his fly ball, line drive and ground ball rates are all around the middle of the pack. His strikeout rate of 19.6% was one of the best among qualifiers, and while his walk was on the other end of the spectrum, it was still over 10% so it’s hardly anything to be concerned about. Incredibly, Lantigua also summoned the spirit of Mark Canha and was drilled 14 times, tied for sixth-most among all DSL hitters.

He spent a lot of time in center field to open up the year, starting 19 of his first 26 games out in the middle of the outfield. Over his final 21 games, however, he spent more time in the corners, receiving 14 starts in either left or right field. He’s not a burner, and he could get slower as he gets bigger and stronger, so a future in a corner outfield spot seems like the most likely outcome.

2025 OUTLOOK

Lantigua is far, far out from even sniffing the major leagues, but he could make the move stateside in 2025. Mets top 2023 DSL performer Jeremy Rodriguez made the jump to the Florida Complex League last season at just 17 years old, so 18-year-old Lantigua could follow the same path. It’s a big test ahead for Lantigua, and if he impresses again he could start moving quickly up prospect boards into the next tier of Mets prospects.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS

• No. 30: Will Watson, RHP
• No. 29: Jack Wenninger, RHP
• No. 28 A.J. Ewing, 2B/OF

The post Mets 2025 Prospects: No. 27: Edward Lantigua appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Wagner, eighth on the all-time saves list with 422 and sixth in Mets history with 101, earned 82.5% of the vote in his 10th and final chance on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballot, it was announced Tuesday. Players need 75 percent of the vote to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Carlos Beltrán, unfortunately, will have to wait.

Beltrán, a nine-time All-Star who accumulated 70.1 WAR over his 20-year career, received 70.3% of the vote in his third year on the ballot. That’s up from the 57.1% he earned last year.

Ichiro Suzuki (99.7%—all but one vote) and CC Sabathia (86.8%) were the two biggest vote-getters, both getting elected on their first ballot. Wagner, Suzuki, and Sabathia join Dick Allen and Dave Parker (voted in by committee) in the Hall of Fame class

David Wright earned 8.1% of the vote in his second year on the ballot up from 5.4% last year. Francisco Rodriguez earned 10.2% in his third year. Curtis Granderson, unfortunately, garnered less than 1% in his first year, meaning he’ll fall off the ballot. Players need 5% to remain on the ballot the following year.

Wagner Earns His Spot

Wagner posted a 2.31 ERA and 0.99 WHIP over 903 career innings while striking out 1,196 in 16 seasons. His career K% is 33.2 and his 11.92 K/9 is one of the best marks ever. The lefty came to the Mets as a free agent in 2006 (four years, $43 million) after 11 years in Houston and Philadelphia. He saved 40 games in his first year in New York with a 2.24 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. He had 94 strikeouts in 72.1 innings. He made the All-Star team seven times, including twice with the Mets in 2007-08.

Wagner was traded to the Red Sox in August 2009 for a couple of players to be named later and finished his career with the Braves in 2010.

Beltran Will Have to Wait… But Not Long

With 435 career home runs and 312 steals, Beltrán is one of five players in the 400 home run/300 stolen base club. The others are Willie Mays, Andre Dawson, Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez.

While Beltrán’s stats are Hall-worthy, he is likely losing support from some writers because of his admitted involvement in the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, which also cost him his job as Mets skipper in 2020 before he ever managed a game.

Still, with Beltrán gaining 70.3% this year, he has an excellent chance of reaching the 75 percent threshold soon, especially with a slew of names dropping off this year, and not a ton of great candidates getting added for the 2026 ballot.

The post Wagner Elected to Hall of Fame; Beltrán Falls Just Short appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

On January 21, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America will reveal their ballot results and any new entrees into the National Baseball Hall of Fame will be announced. To be elected, those on the ballot must receive at least 75% of the vote. On this year’s ballot, there are 28 former players.

The Ballot

Of these 28, 14 were on the ballot last year. Relief pitcher Billy Wagner (73.8%), outfielder Andruw Jones (61.6%), and outfielder Carlos Beltrán (57.1%) are the three returnees on the ballot that were the closest to being elected last season. This is Wagner’s 10th-and-final year on the ballot. He must break the 75% threshold this season to be elected, as he will no longer be on the ballot starting next season.

Other notable returnees to the ballot are Álex Rodríguez (34.8%), Manny Ramírez (32.5%), Chase Utley (28.8%), Bobby Abreu (14.8%), Francisco Rodriguez (7.8%), and David Wright (6.2%).

The full list is below which includes percentage of votes from 2024 and number of seasons on the ballot:

• Billy Wagner, (73.8%), Enters 10th-and-final year on ballot
• Andruw Jones, (61.6%), 8th year
• Carlos Beltrán, (57.1%), 3rd year
• Álex Rodríguez, (34.8%), 4th year
• Manny Ramírez, (32.5%), 9th year
• Chase Utley, (28.8%), 2nd year
• Omar Vizquel, (17.7%), 8th year
• Bobby Abreu, (14.8%), 6th year
• Jimmy Rollins, (14.8%), 4th year
• Andy Pettitte, (13.5%), 7th year
• Mark Buehrle, (8.3%), 5th year
• Francisco Rodríguez, (7.8%) 3rd year
• Torii Hunter, (7.3%),  5th year
• David Wright, (6.2%), 2nd year

To remain on the ballot next season, a player must receive at least five percent of the votes.

In addition to the above, there are 14 new individuals being added to the ballot in 2025:

• Carlos González
• Curtis Granderson
• Félix Hernández
• Adam Jones
• Ian Kinsler
• Russell Martin
• Brian McCann
• Dustin Pedroia
• Hanley Ramírez
• Fernando Rodney
• CC Sabathia
• Ichiro Suzuki
• Troy Tulowitzki
• Ben Zobrist

These new candidates can remain on the ballot for up to 10 years. They must achieve at least five percent of the vote, yearly, to remain on the ballot. If any receive at least 75%, they will be enshrined into the Hall of Fame.

Derek Jeter, Álex Rodríguez. (Photo by Rob Schumacher, The Arizona Republic)

Who Deserves To Be In?

When the writers who have the honor to vote do so, they are only able to vote for a maximum 10 players. They are not required to use any of their votes if they do not want to, however, they are limited to 10 votes maximum.

With that being said, who are those who are the most deserving to be in? A good starting point, before going position-by-position and taking into account other  attributes, is sorting each of the individuals by wins above replacement (WAR).

Note, the below is sorted by total bWAR.

• Álex Rodríguez, 117.6
• Carlos Beltrán, 70.1
• Manny Ramírez, 69.3
• Chase Utley, 64.5
• Andruw Jones, 62.7
• CC Sabathia, 62.3
• Bobby Abreu, 60.2
• Andy Pettitte, 60.2
• Ichiro Suzuki, 60.0
• Mark Buehrle, 59.1
• Ian Kinsler, 54.1
• Dustin Pedoria, 51.9
• Torii Hunter, 50.7
• Félix Hernández, 49.7
• David Wright, 49.2
• Jimmy Rollins, 47.6
• Curtis Granderson, 47.2
• Omar Vizquel, 45.6
• Troy Tulowitzki, 44.5
• Ben Zobrist, 44.5
• Russell Martin, 38.8
• Hanley Ramírez, 38.0
• Adam Jones, 32.6
• Brian McCann, 32.0
• Billy Wagner, 27.7
• Carlos González, 24.4
• Francisco Rodríguez, 24.2
• Fernando Rodney, 7.4

Right off the bat, one would assume the first three are worthy. However, each individual have some type of “ethical” issue voters take issue with. Rodríguez and Ramírez both performance-enhancing drug questions and Beltran was involved with the Astros sign-stealing scandal. However, based purely off on-field performance all three certainly appear worthy of the Hall of Fame.

The next chunk of 60.0-plus WAR pose a lot of interesting questions. The one with the least amount of question marks is Ichiro Suzuki. He ranks 25th all-time in hits at 3,089. This despite not coming to North America and Major League Baseball until his aged-27 season. Of the 33 players in history with last least 3,000 hits, Rafael Palmeiro, Álex Rodríguez, Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera, and Pete Rose are the only not in the Hall of Fame. Of those five, three have potential ethical issues and the other two have not yet become eligible. It is a safe bet Ichiro will be Hall of Fame bound at some point, if not this season.

Chase Utley.

Mets nemesis Chase Utley is an interesting case. His 64.5 bWAR is not far off the average bWAR of the 20 second baseman currently in the Hall of Fame (69.5). Not to mention, his seven-year peak WAR (WAR7) is comfortably above the average of those 20 second baseman Hall of Famers (49.3 versus 44.4 average). Lastly, his JAWS rating (a measurement created by Jay Jaffe to value an individual’s Hall of Fame worthiness) is right on par with the average of the second baseman who currently occupy Cooperstown (56.9 versus 57.0 average). Whether Mets fans want to hear it or not, Utley, a terrific all-around player, has a very compelling argument to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

Utley’s case, on play a lone, is a lot more compelling than that of fellow second baseman Ian Kinsler and Dustin Pedroia, though, a compelling case for each can be constructed. Both Kinsler and Pedroia have WAR, WAR7, and JAW ratings not terribly far off the average of the other second baseman in the Hall of Fame. Maybe down the road, especially Pedroia, they may be considered seriously.

Andruw Jones, who was the second-highest vote-getter on last year’s ballot, has one of the more compelling cases on the ballot. According to defensive WAR, Jones was arguably the best defensive center fielder in baseball history. To go along with that, he hit 434 home runs; the fourth-most among center fielders. His overall bWAR number is a little off the average of the 19 center fielder Hall of Famers (62.7 versus 71.5 average), however, that is largely due to a five-year stretch of really poor offensive performances to end his career. His peak years (WAR7) are above the average for Hall of Fame center fielders and his JAWS rating is not too far off either. The 10-time Gold Glove winner certainly has a great case for Cooperstown.

CC Sabathia, Bobby Abreu, and Andy Pettitte round out the reminder of the 60.0-plus bWAR group. Sabathia may have a case at some point, especially given he was a southpaw. However, as it relates to starting pitchers, his WAR, JAWS, and WAR7 are all a decent bit off the averages of the 66 Hall of Fame starters. The same goes for Pettitte whose numbers are slightly off of Sabathia’s overall. Based off his positional peers, a pretty compelling case can be made for Abreu. On offensive performances alone, the 15 right fielders ahead of Abreu in offensive WAR are all in the Hall of Fame. However, Abreu struggled so much defensively his overall WAR, JAWS, and WAR7 numbers are all a decent bit off from his positional peers’ averages.

Photo Courtesy of CBSSports.com

Billy Wagner came within 1.2% of being elected in 2024. His last chance is this year and his candidacy is an interesting one. The Ferrum College alumni ranks eighth all-time in saves at 422. He also posted a sparkling 2.31 ERA, including a 1.43 mark as a 38-year-old in his final season. However, his WAR and JAWS are a decent bit off the averages and both John Franco and Francisco Rodríguez, who have more saves than Wagner overall, are not in the Hall of Fame. Joe Nathan, who has a very comparable WAR, WAR7, and JAWS profile as Wagner, was not elected to the Hall of Fame either. Though, Wagner has a much-better ERA than each and had tremendous strikeout numbers. Specially, his career ERA+ would only trail Mariano Rivera among Hall of Fame relievers.

Of the rest on the ballot, not many more staggeringly compelling cases can be made. Of course, being a former Met legend, it would be nice to see David Wright at least stay on the ballot. Being enshrined to the actual Hall of Fame is likely a long shot, as his WAR, WAR7, and JAW metrics are well off the average of the 18 third baseman Hall of Famers. Unfortunately, injuries cutting his career short ended what once seemed like a Hall-of-Fame trajectory.

My Ballot

If I was lucky enough to have a vote, for whatever it is worth, here is how my ballot would look:

• Álex Rodríguez
• Carlos Beltrán
• Manny Ramírez
• Andruw Jones
• Ichiro Suzuki
• Billy Wagner
• Chase Utley

Each of the above, based purely on on-field performances and value, deserves it based on others who were inducted from their respective positions. Billy Wagner was pretty tricky given how others who have comparable numbers were not enshrined, I ultimately chose to include him given how strong his metrics were. Utley, despite being a Met enemy, has an extremely underrated and compelling case. He would be my dark hose, if you will.

What your ballot look like?

The post The Most Deserving On The 2025 Hall Of Fame Ballot appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The newcomers to the ballot are: Carlos González, Curtis Granderson, Félix Hernández, Adam Jones, Ian Kinsler, Russell Martin, Brian McCann, Dustin Pedroia, Hanley Ramirez, Fernando Rodney, CC Sabathia, Ichiro Suzuki, Troy Tulowitzki and Ben Zobrist.

The returnees include former Mets David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Billy Wagner, Bobby Abreu, and Francisco Rodriguez.

Wright earned 6.2% of the vote in his first year on the ballot last year. Beltran is in his third year after earning 57.1% a year ago. Rodríguez is also in year three after garnering 7.8% last year. Abreu is in year six after getting 14.8% a year ago.

Wagner, who is in his 10th and final year on the ballot, came closest of all returnees to earning induction last year with 73.8% of the vote (75% is needed for induction). Five percent of the vote is needed to remain on the ballot for the next year.

The other returnees:

Andruw Jones (61.6% – 8th year)

Alex Rodriguez (34.8% – 4th year)

Manny Ramirez (32.5% – 9th year)

Chase Utley (28.8% – 2nd year)

Omar Vizquel (17.7% – 8th year)

Jimmy Rollins (14.8% – 4th year)

Andy Pettitte (13.5% – 7th year)

Mark Buehrle (8.3% – 5th year)

Torii Hunter (7.3% – 5th year)

All those elected will be inducted along with anyone selected by the Classic Era Baseball Committee on July 27 in Cooperstown.

The post 2025 Hall of Fame Ballot Revealed, Results to be Announced Jan. 21 appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The Mets had a golden opportunity to clinch a series win and an above .500 record on their West Coast swing last night. However, their bullpen let them down again. With two outs in the eighth inning and a runner on first, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza decided to go to Edwin Díaz to get a four-out save. Unfortunately, Díaz’s command was erratic again, leaving him in a bases-loaded situation with Corbin Carroll at the plate. Having to throw a strike, Edwin hung a slider over the middle of the plate, and Carroll gave the D-Backs a three-run lead with his second homer of the night. 

While 2022 Edwin Díaz might still be in there, the Mets $100 million closer has blown six saves on the season and has been especially unreliable lately. Díaz and Butto, perceived as the Mets most potent duo, also blew another game on their road trip against the Padres on Sunday. If the Mets’ back-end, particularly their former “reliever of the year” closer, cannot be relied upon, they will continue throwing away crucial games amid a heated wild card race.

To put the icing on the bullpen-mess cake, right-hander Dedniel Núñez was unavailable on Wednesday because of forearm tightness. Mendoza said the high-leverage reliever is currently day-to-day. Núñez has only pitched in one game, 1 2/3 scoreless innings on August 24, since returning from the injured list because of a right forearm strain.

The final game in Arizona will be a showdown between David Peterson (8-1, 2.85 ERA) and Ryne Nelson (9-6, 4.29 ERA) at 3:40 P.M. EDT.

Wild Card Update

The Mets created more distance between themselves and the three wild card teams with their loss last night. With Arizona’s win over the Mets last night, they increased their lead over the Mets to seven games. The Padres losing to the Cardinals also helped Arizona, putting them a full game in front of San Diego for the first wild card spot. The most consequential result for the Mets on Wednesday night was the Braves winning again, as they swept the Twins and are now 8-2 in their last 10 games. New York is four games behind Atlanta for the final wild card spot.

Latest Mets News

Luis Severino told reporters that he felt a lot of pain after getting hit in his foot by a come-backer in last night’s loss. However, Luis said that the x-rays returned negative and he is “100% sure” he will make his next start.

Mets 2024 first-round pick Carson Benge continues to rake. Benge hit his second home run in two days on Wednesday, bringing his OPS up to 1.106 in his seven games for the St. Lucie Mets. 

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza mentioned “speed and versatility” as two attributes that will be valued when the Mets expand their roster on Sunday, August 1st, per Mike Puma of The New York Post. That sounds like prospect Luisangel Acuña, who is on the Mets’ 40-man roster. 

Jon Heyman of The New York Post reported on a Bleacher Report “Walk-Off” stream, that Orioles starter and soon-to-be free-agent Corbin Burnes will be on the Mets radar this off-season. Click here for more information on the report.

Latest MLB News

Fans were lined up outside of Dodger Stadium 7 hours before first pitch for Shohei Ohtani bobblehead night on Wednesday.

Excitement level for Shohei and Decoy. 📈 pic.twitter.com/54viWyFYBY

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 29, 2024

The Kansas City Royals placed RHP Michael Lorenzen on the 15-day IL with a left hamstring strain. Lorenzen, who is on his fourth team in the past two seasons, pitched to a 1.85 ERA in his 24 1/3 innings with Kansas City since being traded from Texas.

The 7th pick in the 2023 draft and one of the Cincinnati Reds top prospects, Rhett Lowder, is expected to make his major league debut on Friday, per C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic Cincinnati. 

The Houston Astros sent former starting center fielder Chas McCormick down to Triple-A, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. This move comes a day after the Astros signed veteran OF Jason Heyward off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay told the media that Miguel Andujar will be undergoing a season-ending core muscle surgery, per Martín Gallegos of MLB.com. Andujar is under control through 2025, Oakland hopes to have him back next season.

Veteran INF Thairo Estrada and left-handed relievers Tyler Matzek and Taylor Rogers were all placed on waivers by the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, per Grant Bisbee and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Unlike being DFA’d, the players will continue to play for the Giants until the resolution of their waiver process.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told the media that utility man Jorge Mateo will undergo season-ending surgery to repair the UCL in his left elbow. Mateo, known as one of the fastest players in the league, originally injured his elbow in late July and was hoping to make a return later in the season before the surgery.

Latest on MMO

Pete Alonso continues to climb the Mets all-time leaderboards.

See how the Mets and Braves schedules compare down the stretch run.

Could the Mets pursue Corbin Burnes to be their ace in free agency?

On This Date in Mets History 

2016: Yoenis Cespedes hits a walk-off solo home run to beat the Marlins 2-1.

2008: Carlos Beltrán launches a ball deep into right field for a go-ahead grand slam in the top of the ninth inning, giving the Mets a 5-2 lead over the Marlins.

Birthdays: Noah Syndergaard (32), Anthony Recker (41), Henry Blanco (53), Bill Latham (64), Rusty Tillman (64)

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