Your New York Mets are moving on to the NLCS!

Last night, with the chance to get the series clinching win in Game 4, the Mets were finally able to christen the home team locker room of Citi Field with its first champagne bath. In a miracle season, which saw them start 11 games under .500, the Mets will now face the winner of the Padres and Dodgers series for a spot in the 2024 World Series.

While there have been many gimmicks and streaks from both players and outside entities this season, the one constant has been the Mets’ MVP, Francisco Lindor. In this Game 4 battle against the Philadelphia Phillies, Jose Quintana was able to hold the Phillies to only one run in five solid innings of work, however, the Mets’ offense was not holding up their end of the bargain. Having left the bases loaded in the first and second inning, the Mets’ bats were in danger of doing so again in the sixth, but the backbone of the team would not let it happen. Lindor did it again; the star shortstop smoked a 2-1 fastball over the right-center field wall, and the rest is history. 

The Mets will have a very well-deserved three day break as they await the winner ofGame 5 between the Dodgers and Padres on Friday.

Which team do you think would be a better matchup for the Mets? Sound off in the comments!

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Latest Mets News

Latin pop star and Mets shortstop Jose Iglesias talked to the Today Show about how the remix of his song “OMG” with Pitbull and Silvestre Dangond came about. The remix will be released on Friday and a music video is planned to come out during the offseason.

Jeff McNeil will play in the Arizona Fall League on Friday and Saturday as Mets manager Carlos Mendoza wants to see him play back-to-back games of nine innings, per Tim Healey of Newsday. Jeff McNeil anticipates being on the NLCS roster, which will be released prior to the series’ start on Sunday, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

Daniel Murphy threw the first pitch to Bartolo Colon prior to Game 4 of the NLDS on Wednesday night. 

Latest MLB News

Game 3 of the ALDS went to the Detroit Tigers as they beat the Cleveland Guardians, 3-0. The Tigers, who went with a bullpen game, completely shut down Cleveland’s bats and will have a chance to move on to the ALCS on their home field on Thursday night. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers bludgeoned the Padres last night 8-0 and forced a winner-take-all Game 5 in Los Angeles on Friday. The winner of the series will host the Mets on Sunday to kick off the NLCS.

Giancarlo Stanton’s eight-inning moonshot blast ended up being the game-winning blow for the Yankees, as they beat the Royals 3-2. Kansas City’s season is on the line Thursday night at Kauffman Stadium.

The MLBPA came to a non-exclusive licensing deal with Fanatics, making it the first licensed sportsbook of the MLBPA, per Mike Mazzeo of Sports Business Journal. 

Houston Astros utility man Mauricio Dubón is slated to undergo surgery on his ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb this week, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Dubón played the last month of the season with this tear; the expected recovery time is 6-8 weeks, so he should be good to go for spring training. 

The roof of Tropicana Field was ripped off on Wednesday night by Hurricane Milton. The stadium was being used as a shelter for first responders. Prayers go out to all who are affected by Hurricane Milton.

Latest on MMO

A Citi Field celebration 15 years in the making!

Lindsanity will not stop!

Jeff McNeil is nearing a return just in time for the NLCS.

On This Date in Mets History

2015: While trying to turn a double play in the seventh inning of Game 2 of the NLDS against the Dodgers, Rubén Tejada gets taken out by Chase Utley and breaks his leg. Utley would get a warm welcome from the Citi Field crowd during Game 3 of the series.

1973: The Mets beat the Cincinnati Reds to win the second National League pennant in franchise history.

1961: The New York Mets select Giants catcher Hobie Landrith with their first selection in the 1961 MLB expansion draft. Players such as Gil Hodges, Roger Craig, and Al Jackson were selected during the draft. 

Born On This Date: Jeurys Familia (1989), Fernando Martínez (1988), Elvin Ramírez (1987), Ramón Martínez (1972), Grover Powell (1940).

The post Morning Briefing: Mets Are Headed to the NLCS appeared first on Metsmerized.

On Tuesday, the San Diego Padres announced that their owner, Peter Seidler, died at the age of 63. He had been battling an illness for a while and his family requested his cause of death remain private at this time, according to an article from CBS Sports. 

Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Home Plate Gate at Petco Park in San Diego will be open for people who wish to pay their respects, according to a release from the Padres. 

“Today, our love and prayers encircle Peter’s family as they grieve the loss of an extraordinary husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend,” Padres CEO Erik Greupner said in the announcement of Seidler’s death. “Peter was a kind and generous man who was devoted to his wife, children, and extended family. He also consistently exhibited heartfelt compassion for others, especially those less fortunate. His impact on the city of San Diego and the baseball world will be felt for generations. His generous spirit is now firmly embedded in the fabric of the Padres. Although he was our Chairman and owner, Peter was at his core a Padres fan. He will be dearly missed.” 

Yu Darvish arrives at Petco Park with flowers to place at Peter Seidler’s memorial: pic.twitter.com/tfRlRcL282

— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) November 14, 2023

Latest Mets News 

The New York Mets officially introduced Carlos Mendoza as the team’s manager on Tuesday. Evan Mazza has everything you need from the press conference here.  

The Atlanta Braves announced they had claimed Mets right-hander Penn Murfee off waivers and designated Yonny Chirinos for assignment. Murfee had only become a member of the Mets organization two weeks before after he was claimed from the Mariners. 

The Washington Nationals announced they designated former Met Dominic Smith, as well as pitcher Cory Abbott for assignment. Smith, a first baseman, is a former first-round pick who came through the Mets system, spending six seasons on the major league roster, accumulating 58 home runs, 225 RBIs and an OPS of .248

The Mets added outfielder Alex Ramirez to their 40-man roster, making him the only Mets prospect protecting him from being selected in the Rule 5 draft, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.Com. The 20-year-old only hit .221 last season, but swiped 21 bags and is the organization’s 11th ranked prospect, according to MLB pipeline. Our Michael Mayer with more. 

Construction is underway around Citi Field, as Laura Albanese of Newsday shared photos on her X, formerly Twitter, account of a number of chopshops being torn down. 

Latest MLB News

The Red Sox are close to hiring Andrew Bailey as pitching coach, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Bailey, a former Red Sox pitcher, has been the San Francisco Giants’ pitching coach the last four seasons. 

Brian Cashman saying being injured is a part of Giancarlo Stanton’s game in a New York Daily News article has irked the slugger’s agent. Stanton’s agent, Joel Wolfe, responded passionately in a statement to The Athletic Tuesday. Wolfe is the agent for Japanese free agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, one of the top pitchers on the market. 

The Cleveland Guardians announced they designated pitcher Cal Quantrill for assignment on Tuesday. 

Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker was named the National League Manager of the Year, while Orioles manager Brandon Hyde won the accolade in the American League. 

None of the seven free agents who received a qualifying offer accepted before Tuesday’s deadline. Mark Feinsand of Fansided was the first to report the development. 

Three members of the American senate sent a letter to Rob Manfred asking whether a new Florida law undermines the league’s CBA with minor league players, as reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN. 

The Phillies acquired minor league outfielder Hendry Mendez and infielder Robert Moore from the Brewers in exchange for infielder Oliver Dunn, according to Mark Feinsand of Fansided.

The Twins new broadcast rights deal is expected to increase the team’s potential reach from 1.3 million homes to 4.4 million, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic.

The Tampa Bay Rays have discussed trades including outfielder Manuel Margot, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Margot is under team control through 2025. 

It is widely expected the Rays are trading ace Tyler Glasnow this offseason, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Read more from our Mojo Hill here.

Latest on MMO 

Could former Oriole Shintaro Fujinami be a fit for the Mets? Tyler Anonelle breaks down the right hander in his free agent profile.

David Crocco gives Grant Hartwig his final 2023 report card.

On this Date in Mets History

1988: Despite having more home runs, RBIs and a higher slugging percentage and OPS, Darryl Strawberry finished second to Kirk Gibson of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988 MVP voting. 

Birthdays: Yennsy Diaz (27), Randy Niemann (68), Hal Bevan (95)

The post Morning Briefing: Padres Owner Peter Seidler Dies at 63 appeared first on Metsmerized.

Good morning, Mets fans!

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the team will be without slugger Giancarlo Stanton for “six weeks,” according to Bryan Hoch of MLB. The Yankees placed him on the injured list the following day, his seventh trip to the injured list/disabled list in five seasons with the Yankees and 11th in 14 major-league seasons.

Latest Mets News

The Mets recalled Jeff Brigham from Triple-A Syracuse and placed Carlos Carrasco on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 16, with right elbow inflammation, according to MMO‘s Michael Mayer. The Mets’ only starting pitchers left from their Opening Day roster are Max Scherzer and Kodai Senga.

Outfielder Starling Marte also celebrated his 10th year in the major leagues prior to the start of the game, according to the SNY broadcast. The Mets held a similar party for Eduardo Escobar last season.

The Mets took on the Los Angeles Dodgers and their legendary ace Clayton Kershaw on Tuesday night. The Mets sent Tylor Megill to the mound. Megill had an okay performance, giving up three runs in five innings, but Kershaw was masterful, holding the Mets to three hits in seven scoreless innings. The Mets lost 5-0 and will look to take the rubber game at 3:10 p.m. ET today. It’ll be a fun matchup: Max Scherzer vs. Noah Syndergaard.

Latest MLB News

Reds and Greene, complementary colors and something fans in Cincinnati can get used to.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reported the Cincinnati Reds and Hunter Greene are in agreement on a six-year, $53 million contract extension that includes a seventh-year option, pending physical.

Greene’s deal is the first guaranteed salary for Cincinnati beyond the 2023 season. As the Reds’ rebuild kicks into gear, they’re locking in a core that starts with Greene. If the seventh-year option is exercised, Greene will reach free agency after his age-29 season.

Tampa Bay Rays starter Jeffrey Springs is expected to have Tommy John elbow surgery that will sideline him into the 2024 season, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

The Rays announced Tuesday afternoon that Springs, 31, has been diagnosed with a left elbow flexor strain and placed on the 15-day injured list. That move was procedural so the Rays could activate Taj Bradley to start Tuesday against the Reds.

Boone also said center fielder Harrison Bader likely will start a minor-league injury rehabilitation assignment on Friday. Bader has been sidelined since spring training by a strained left oblique muscle. Carlos Rodón, out since spring training with a strained left forearm, remains bothered by his back.

The Oakland Athletics are planning to promote pitching prospect Mason Miller to their major league roster, The San Francisco Chronicle and Matt Kawahara has learned. Miller could start Thursday against the Chicago Cubs.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Mookie Betts will be back from paternity leave today and it sure sounds like he’s going to start at shortstop, according to Juan Toribio of MLB.com.

The Atlanta Braves claimed outfielder Nick Solak off waivers from the Chicago White Sox and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett, according to the team’s Twitter account.

Padres owner Peter Seidler was at the SBJ World Congress of Sports and dropped a very encouraging quote for the Friar Faithful: “There will never be another fire sale in San Diego, and I expect my family to own the franchise for another 50, 75 years … hopefully go for more, I’ll talk from the grave.”

Latest on MMO

Rivka Boord analyzes the Mets’ dramatic win over the Dodgers Monday night.

Patrick Glynn looks into who can replace Carlos Carrasco in the Mets rotation.

On This Date in Mets History

1964: Mets win first game at Shea Stadium and defeat Pirates, 6-0.

Birthdays: Ambiorix Burgos (39), Brent Mayne (55), Frank Viola (63)

The post Morning Briefing: Giancarlo Stanton Out For Six Weeks appeared first on Metsmerized.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The stars came out at night on a picture-perfect evening in Los Angeles as the National League All-Stars hosted the American League All-Stars at Dodger Stadium.

Clayton Kershaw of the hometown Dodgers opened up the game for the NL by pitching a scoreless top of the first, which included a pickoff of Angels pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani at first base.

Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts got the scoring started with a single to center field in the first that scored Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. in the bottom of the first. Not too long after, Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt would put one up for the NL by knocking one out of the park to left field off Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan to extend the National League lead to two.

The American League wouldn’t be quiet for long as the bats woke up in the top of the fourth beginning with a two-run home run from Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton off Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin to tie the game. Immediately after, Twins outfielder Byron Buxton would send one out of the park to go back-to-back on a 2-1 count to give the American League 3-2.

That would be all the scoring the AL needed as their bullpen would hold fort with scoreless frames from nine different pitchers and at the end, Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase would strike out the side in the bottom of the ninth inning to seal the deal as the American League defeats the National League, 3-2. The National League bullpen would toss out nine pitchers, eight of them tossed combined scoreless frames. This win marks the ninth consecutive victory for the American League.

As far as Mets All-Stars go, only two would appear in the contest.

Jeff McNeil, who started at second base, after replacing injured Marlins infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. only had one at bat and was hit by pitch in the foot by Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah in the bottom of the second. Mets first baseman Pete Alonso came in to play first base in the middle of the contest and walked against Nestor Cortes in bottom of the sixth.

Edwin Diaz did not appear out of the bullpen, and Starling Marte opted not to play during the game beforehand.

OMGiancarlo! #AllStarGame pic.twitter.com/QBGkHJMdoV

— MLB (@MLB) July 20, 2022

Player Of The Game: Giancarlo Stanton

Giancarlo Stanton was named All-Star MVP after going 1-for-2 with a game-tying two-run home run in the top of the fourth. It traveled 450 feet. Byron Buxton gave the team the lead a batter later.

On Deck

The second half of the season begins at home for the Mets on Friday night at 7:10 p.m., as the Mets host the San Diego Padres at Citi Field.

Buck Showalter said he’d announce the second-half rotation after the All-Star Game.

The post AL All-Stars Top NL 3-2, Win Ninth In A Row appeared first on Metsmerized.

The New York Yankees were no-hit by the Houston Astros Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. It was the third no-hitter in the majors this year.

Right-hander Cristian Javier led the way, throwing the first seven innings. The only baserunners were a walk in the first inning and an error by Alex Bregman.

Familiar Mets foe Hector Neris threw the eighth inning, walking a pair but keeping the no-hitter intact.

Ryan Pressly finished it off. He struck out Anthony Rizzo and Josh Donaldson, then got Giancarlo Stanton to ground out. It came just two days after Pressly gave up four runs in the bottom of the ninth to the Yankees in the Astros’ collapse.

Of the three no-hitters throwing in MLB this year, two of been of the combined variety. The other, of course, was accomplished by the Mets with Tylor Megill, Drew Smith, Joely Rodriguez, Seth Lugo and Edwin Diaz.

It was the 14th no-hitter in Astros history and the seventh time the Yankees have been no-hit.

The Yankees still own the best record in baseball, sitting at 52-20 with an 11-game lead in the AL East. That’s the best record of any team to ever be no-hit, per the SNY broadcast. They also have the most home runs and second-highest OPS in the majors despite Saturday’s no-hitter.

The Mets’ first matchup against the infamous rivals will come July 26 at Citi Field.

The post Yankees No-Hit By Cristian Javier, Astros Bullpen appeared first on Metsmerized.

Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

As a transplanted New Yorker, it was a bittersweet weekend of baseball in light of the September 11th tributes from Citi Field, Ground Zero, and across the pond to Buckingham Palace.

Watching the subway series in the borough where I broke my baseball cherry, made me nostalgic, and neurotic – because the worst feeling for a Mets fan – is losing to the rivaled Yankees.

After blowing a two-run lead the night before, it appeared that this might have a similar ending, especially when another managerial mishap by Luis Rojas led to a two-run homer by a player who should never have seen one pitch.

In the top of the seventh Brad Hand relieved Miguel Castro, who did a bang up job getting out of the sixth with back-to-back strikeouts, after Jeurys Familia turned a 5-2 lead into 5-4 with the second swing of Geyser Torres’ bat.

Hand inherited DJ LeMahieu at first. He then erased Anthony Rizzo on eight pitches and fanned Brett Gardner looking at his 93 mph four-seam fastball.

Rojas decides the best move to make is allowing the hot slugging Giancarlo Stanton to bat when a very doable out, in the name of Joey Gallo, is on deck. Here’s where I want to ask to speak to the manager, but he IS the manager, so, I curse at him through the TV.

You know what happens next without even seeing the game because you’ve been following the Mets saga all season. Now with the score six apiece – I’m dreading a repeat of Aaron Judge’s heartbreaking second home run from Saturday night – the antithesis of Mike Piazza’s emotional post 9/11 moment, twenty years prior.

This is no comparison in importance, but it is pivotal that the Mets keep winning in order to stay afloat. Maybe this belief is just prolonging the inevitable pain that awaits – but then, Francisco Lindor launches the last of his three home runs, done from both sides of the plate, putting the Mets in the driver’s seat, 7-6, and me delusional all over again.

In the top of the ninth, with yet another precarious lead, Rojas calls upon Edwin Diaz, even though there are potential great pitchers in the stands, wearing Mets uniforms. I want to ask to speak to his supervisor, but I don’t have the dugout phone number, so I curse at the TV some more.

I’m conditioned to believe this isn’t going to fare well for Diaz, even though he strikes out the first batter. As soon as he surrenders a single and walks the next hitter, and a passed ball puts both runners in scoring position, I think, “Life couldn’t be this cruel. If he blows this save, he might not recover.”

Then in a very special Mets episode, with a little too much drama for comfort, the Puerto Rican born pitcher gets Gardner swinging on a slider, and pops up Stanton to short, keeping his ball clubs’ playoff run alive.

This is exhausting.

The post Mets Take Subway Series in Heated Finale appeared first on Metsmerized.

Baseball fan Mark Southard, of Wichita Falls, Texas, takes a photo during a tour of Globe Life Field, the new home of the Texas Rangers baseball team, Monday, June 1, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero) ORG XMIT: TXMO204

Good morning, Mets fans! The Texas Rangers announced on Wednesday that they plan to open their stadium at full capacity (40,518) in April with a mask requirement, designated social distancing areas and a restriction on tailgates, according to Levi Weaver of The Athletic.

After a day off from Grapefruit League play on Wednesday, the Mets will be back in action tonight against the Houston Astros at 6:05 p.m.

Now, let’s take a look at what else went on around the league yesterday!

Latest Mets News

According to Tim Britton of The Athletic, Mets agreed to terms with 15 pre-arb players on Wednesday. Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil did not agree to terms, meaning their contracts were “renewed”. Simply put, Alonso and McNeil wanted more than the Mets offered, but they have zero leverage in the situation.

Manager Luis Rojas announced that starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco is experiencing elbow soreness and will be shut down from throwing for a few days. The hope is that Carrasco will be able to face live hitters by late next week, per Rojas — however, serious or not, this puts his status for the beginning of the season in jeopardy.

Superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor is donating $1 million for a new middle school building at his alma mater Montverde Academy.

First baseman Pete Alonso made his return to the Cookie Club podcast, joining teammates J.D. Davis and Dominic Smith — along with SNY’s Steve Gelbs.

Latest MLB News

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto tested positive for COVID-19 and will be on the injured list indefinitely, according to The Athletic.

Yankees’ slugger Giancarlo Stanton absolutely demolished a home run at 115.1 mph off the bat in his team’s exhibition matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates last night.

Latest NL East News

MLB insider Jon Heyman believes the Philadelphia Phillies could be among the teams in play for the slew of talented shortstops set to hit the free agent market next year in Francisco Lindor, Trevor Story, Corey Seager, Carlos Correa and Javier Baez.

According to Andy Slater of Fox Sports, the Miami Marlins have reached a multi-year deal with Florida Pest Control to disinfect their stadium using drones.

Latest on MMO

Mets’ top prospect Ronny Mauricio spoke to the media via Zoom about his experience in big league camp this spring, in a story by Ryan Finkelstein.

In an MMO Fan Shot, Mickey Parrella says to not sleep on reliever Sam McWilliams this season.

Thomas Hall believes it would make little sense for the Mets to sign infielder Maikel Franco.

MMO Digital

On today’s episode of Locked On Mets, host Ryan Finkelstein is joined by Dylan Short, host of Locked On Braves to continue their discussion about how these two teams stack up atop the NL East.

In part two of this two-part conversation, Ryan and Dylan do a position-by-position breakdown to see which team has the superior players. They also talk about whether any other team can compete in this division outside of the Mets and the Braves.

On This Date in Mets History

Birthdays: Jeremy Hefner (35), Steve Reed (56)

Let’s go Mets!

The post Morning Briefing: Texas Rangers to Allow Full Capacity at Their Ballpark appeared first on Metsmerized.

Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports that the New York Yankees have placed Giancarlo Stanton back on the 10-day IL Wednesday, two days into his rehab assignment, this time with a strained calf.

Stanton, 29, was scratched on Tuesday from a rehab game, which was initially labeled by Aaron Boone as “tightness.”

However, it appears to be more serious than that right now as the Yankees will have to wait at least a little bit longer for their slugger to return from to the team,

The outfielder has been out since April 1, as he initially suffered a biceps strain and then later dealt with a shoulder strain.

In his first season with the Yankees in 2018, Stanton hit .266/.343/.509 with 38 home runs and 100 RBI to give himself a 127 wRC+ and 4.2 WAR.

In the previous offseason, the Yankees acquired him from the Miami Marlins in exchange for Starlin Castro, Jorge Guzman, and Jose Devers.

Stanton is in the fifth year of a 13-year, $325 million contract in which he will make $26 million this season.

The post MLB News: Stanton Returns To IL With Strained Calf appeared first on Metsmerized.

The Mets overall mindset has been what has held the organization back and it was never more evident than in the fall-out from the Giancarlo Stanton trade to the New York Yankees.

The 2017 Yankees arrived early based on prognostications. A bunch of young kids and some useful veterans helped the Yankees to climb within a game of the World Series.

Despite the achievement, and despite already having one of the most feared lineups in the league, the Yankees went out and acquired yet another slugger – and they did it in a matter of hours, while all the Mets have done is ‘talk, talk, talk.’

Similarly, the 2015 Mets arrived a bit early. New York’s “five future aces” combined with some timely trade additions, and took advantage of an underachieving Washington Nationals team to win the NL East and take the NL pennant.

Since that run, there was a playoff appearance marred by injury in 2016.

The belief is that ‘unlucky injuries’ cost them in 2016 and bringing back the same team would garner different results in 2017.

It was different results, but very bad results. Instead of making the playoffs, the Mets finished 70-92.

Now, Mets’ ownership and Mets’ brass seem to be falling into the same trap again: A belief the team was better than its record, and the players’ stats were better than what shows on the backs of their baseball cards, particularly with regards to the pitching staff.

The team’s stated goal is to win the World Series and that this is not a time of rebuilding, but the actions don’t seem to match the words.

While Stanton was never coming to the Mets, as the player held all the cards with the blanket no-trade clause in his contract, Dee Gordon could have been acquired.

Seemingly, the only thing that held the Mets back from even offering a trade for the second baseman – a position of major need for New York – was money. The team seemed unwilling to take on the roughly $35 million owed to Gordon.

Money was what forced a fire-sale during the summer which didn’t bring back the types of prospects it could have were the Mets to have taken on some, if not all of the salary they were already scheduled to pay the players they traded.

Now, as the Winter Meetings continue, word has come out that it is possible that the Mets are working with even worse budget constraints than first reported at the start of the offseason.

The fans were told the Mets were ‘going for it’ and they were in ‘win-now mode.’ However, the actions are those of a team caught between as the Mets have been for years.

The Yankees are never satisfied, neither are Mets fans, but the organization seems to be satisfied with playing second fiddle. There is a reason the Mets never have sustained success and it’s that the team always go into a season hoping for the best while never preparing for the worst.

This isn’t new.

When the Yankees danced all over Shea Stadium in 2000 after predictably winning the Subway World Series, in that offseason, the Mets lost Mike Hampton to ‘better school systems’ in Colorado while the Yankees went out and got the best pitcher on the market, Mike Mussina.

While Sandy Alderson is not going to “jump into the inferno,” The Yankees dive in head first.

Yes, the Mets do not directly compete with the Yankees, but the mindset of the two organizations, though separated by just 10 miles, is seemingly thousands of miles apart.

The post Stanton, Gordon Deals Give Mets Fans Reason To Be Upset appeared first on Metsmerized.

The St. Louis Cardinals have been connected to Giancarlo Stanton and the Miami Marlins for most of the offseason. With Stanton being dealt to the New York Yankees yesterday, many rival executives expect the Cardinals to pursue a trade with the Marlins for Christian Yelich or Marcell Ozuna according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com.

Derek Jeter and company have fully committed to cutting payroll like they promised. Within the week they have traded away Dee Gordon with his $37 million owed and now Stanton with his $295 million owed. While the Marlins did include $30 million in the deal, there’s no doubt that they saved an enormous amount of money this week between the two trades.

It’s not crazy to think the Marlins will still trade players. Furthermore it wouldn’t be shocking if the Cardinals and Marlins can agree to a deal for Ozuna or Yelich. After all, in the end, Stanton was the one who prevented a trade to St. Louis.

Beforehand, both teams had deals in place for Stanton. A week ago it was reported that the Cardinals’ package for Stanton was focused on Sandy Alcantara and involved more money taken on than the Giants according to Craig Mish of SiriusXM.

Ozuna, 27, should get the most interest as he is entering his second year of arbitration. The 2017 Silver Slugger hit .312/.376/.548/.924 with 93 runs, 37 home runs, and 124 RBI. He will surely bring the Marlins a lot more than Stanton in terms of prospects. That is because he’s the most affordable of the Marlins’ 2017 outfield.

Yelich, on the other hand, was productive in 2017, but not as much as Ozuna. He hit .282/.369/.439/.807 with 100 runs, 18 home runs, 81 RBI, and 16 stolen bases.

The 26-year-old is owed more money over the course of more years than Ozuna. In Dec. 2015, he signed a 7-year, $49.5 million.

With the deal(s) the Cardinals allegedly offered the Marlins for Stanton, they should have a good shot at landing either outfielder. That is of course as long as the Marlins have interest in moving them.

We’ll have to see how the markets for Ozuna and Yelich develop, but if either could be had for a decent price, the Mets should definitely join in on the conversation.

The Mets’ farm system is no longer packed with a multitude of top prospects, but as the Yankees showed in their trade for Stanton, top prospects aren’t always necessary when taking on salary.

Either player would present a considerable offensive upgrade over Juan Lagares. A trade for Ozuna or Yelich should at least be considered by the Mets.

The post Cardinals Expected To Pursue Yelich Or Ozuna appeared first on Metsmerized.