“All in the future, not much we can do until the trade deadline,” Cohen tweeted in response to a fan during the Mets’ 10-5 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. He deleted it later.

Andy Martino of SNY called Cohen Thursday to clear things up. Many people thought the tweet meant the Mets would be shipping away players at the trade deadline, even though it could be interpreted the opposite way.

Cohen told Martino he intended to send a direct message privately to the fan and he was shocked when the responses poured in. He said he was not suggesting the Mets would be trade deadline sellers at all.

“I believe in this team,” the owner told Martino. “I believe in the back of the baseball card. It’s way too early to speculate on anything. It’s May 16. I expect to make the playoffs. I know the fan base is frustrated, but it’s still early. We’re still very capable of making the playoffs. I fully expect to make the playoffs.”

New York is 19-23, 11 games behind the first-place Phillies, but just one game back of the last wild card spot.

The post Steve Cohen Clarifies Deleted Tweet appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Photo: Steve Marcus

Happy Thanksgiving, Mets fans!

After Steven Matz signed a four year, 44 million dollar contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, Steve Cohen expressed his disappointment and anger over Rob Martin, Steven Matz’s agent, breaking a verbal promise that the Mets would have a chance to match any offers on the table for the lefty. Nate Mendelson has more on this story. Below is the statement from Steve Cohen.

I’m not happy this morning . I’ve never seen such unprofessional behavior exhibited by a player’s agent.I guess words and promises don’t matter.

— Steven Cohen (@StevenACohen2) November 24, 2021

Now, it is time for the morning briefing.

Latest Mets News

On Friday, Mets fans can save 50% at the official New York Mets team store from 8 am to 12 pm and 35% from 12 pm to 5 pm.

Carter Capps, the minor league pitching coach and coordinator of the New York Mets franchise, has taken an offer to become the new pitching coach at Seattle University.

The Mets have signed a one-year contract with Nick Plummer, an outfielder who has never appeared in a major league game. Between AA and AAA baseball for the Cardinals Organization last season, Plummer had a hitting slash of .280/.415/.479 with six triples, 15 homers, 73 walks, and 13 stolen bases in 117 games. Additionally, MLB pipeline ranked Plummer as the Mets ninth-best prospect. Nate Mendelson has more information on this story.

Robinson Canó was removed from the Estrellas Orientales roster due to lower back tightness. He is currently considered week to week. Nate Mendelson has more on this story.

The Mets have claimed right-handed pitched Antonio Santos off waivers from the Colorado Rockies. He had a 4.76 ERA with the Rockies in seven relief appearances. He has an average fastball velocity of 96 MPH and he can also throw an effective curveball. Nate Mendelson has additional details on this story.

Latest MLB News

Wader Davis (36) has retired after a 13-year career. He was a three time all-star in 2015, 2016, and 2017.

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, Jon Gray is a candidate to sign within the next week. The Texas Rangers have also shown a lot of interest in Gray.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that Rays left-handed pitcher Brendan McKay underwent thoracic outlet syndrome decompression surgery Tuesday. The Rays commented that he “is expected to resume throwing no later than early February with the goal to be in a throwing and mound progression at the start of spring training.”

Jason Mackey of Post-Gazette Sports covered the news that Yoshi Tsutsugo has signed a one year, four million dollar contract with the Pirates for 2022, pending a physical.

Latest on MMO

Joe D. offers a broader perspective on the Steven Matz drama in a piece titled, “Sometimes You Feel Like A Met, Sometimes You Don’t.”

Michael Garaffa talks about deepening the farm system without rebuilding.

On This Date in Mets History

2010: Kazuo Matsui decided to leave the MLB and join the Japan Pacific League. In 2004, the Mets recruited Matsui from overseas after he hit 36 home runs, hitting .332, and fielding his position at a gold glove level the season before for the Seibu Lions. He went on to play 239 games as a Met across three seasons while being limited by numerous injuries. A fun fact about Matsui is that he is the only player in MLB history to homer in the first plate appearances of his first three seasons, a feat that he accomplished as a Met.

Birthdays: Octavio Dotel (48), Shingo Takatsu (53), Chico Walker (64)

Let’s go Mets!

The post Morning Briefing: Steve Cohen Takes Frustrations To Twitter appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Photo: Steve Marcus

It’s not a popularity contest.

But even if it was, Mets’ majority owner Steve Cohen wouldn’t care. He just wants to make smart decisions.

When Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported on Monday that the Mets were not in on Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano, some Mets fans reached for the panic button on Twitter.

That’s the spirit , just give up and go to sleep

— Steven Cohen (@StevenACohen2) January 4, 2021

Responding to another fan, Cohen said, “I don’t need to be popular. I just need to make good decisions.”

In response to the notion that the signings of Trevor May and James McCann were it for the winter, Cohen stuck to his guns and preached refusing to act in a reactionary manner.

Let me put it differently,” Cohen said. “Don’t you think someone will take our money? It just has to make sense.”

MLB free agency has moved at a snail pace thus far as a whole, but the Mets have been on the more active side.

Cohen, after taking the reigns of the team in November, has already built his own front office, the Mets have signed a slew of players to minor league deals, starter Marcus Stroman accepted the qualifying offer and the team has inked the aforementioned May and McCann.

With a majority of the top free agents still on the board, the team will likely still add several pieces, and the Opening Day roster will presumably look different than it does at the current moment.

However, the uneasiness of the fans can be chalked up to the previous regime and its ways of operating.

Those concerns are valid, as owner Jeff Wilpon rarely addressed the fanbase, public relations fiascos were a regular occurrence, at the team was strapped for cash for years.

Former general manager Brodie Van Wagenen also compromised the farm system in an effort to win in the short term that left the prospect pool decimated. He also left the new regime with several holes around the diamond and an albatross contract in Robinson Cano that the team will have to deal with after his steroid suspension is up before the 2022 season.

Cohen has not buckled in being patient and wise, and that seems as though it will continue. For him, the interactions on Twitter don’t bother him in the mean time.

“Nah, I can take the heat,” Cohen said. “As long as they don’t mind the return serve.”

The post Steve Cohen: I Need to Make Good Decisions appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Good Morning, Mets fans!

The New York Mets beat the Tampa Bay Rays by a score of 5-2. They are now 25-30.

On Wednesday, the Mets will be facing off against the Rays once again at Citi Field. Tyler Glasnow (4-1, 4.21 ERA) will be on the mound against Michael Wacha (1-3, 6.75 ERA). The game is set to begin at 7:10 PM EST, will be televised on SNY and MLB Network, and can be heard on WCBS 880 AM. Let’s go Mets!

Latest Mets News

According to Mike Ozanian of Forbes, Steve Cohen will reportedly have 30 days after the sale of the team is finalized to place an exclusive bid on SNY.

Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported that ace Jacob deGrom, superstar Pete Alonso, J.D. Davis and Robinson Cano all plan to wear custom Tom Seaver cleats that will then be auctioned to raise money for minor leaguers.

Latest MLB News

Trey Mancini‘s girlfriend Sara Perlman announced via Twitter that Trey Mancini has completed chemo treatments.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic called the Los Angeles Angels the “most likely” team to switch at GM and linked the Angels to Dave Dombrowski.

According to Hector Gomez of MLB Insider, Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Oneil Cruz was driving a white SUV that crashed a motorcycle and killed three on Sunday.

Per a report from Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, Andrelton Simmons has opted out of the rest of the season and his contract expires after the season.

Tim Kurkjian of ESPN wrote about how everyone in baseball has navigated the 2020 season.

Latest On MMO

Sam Lebowitz recapped the fifth episode of Pleasant Good Evening Podcast.

Rich Mancuso believes that deGrom heads a 2020 rotation with many questions.

On This Day In Mets History

1988: The Mets clinch their fourth NL East title as Ron Darling goes the distance, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies at Shea Stadium, 3-1.

1998: John Olerud ties Barry Bonds‘ National League record of reaching base 15 consecutive times when he walks in the first inning.

2000: Mets’ closer Armando Benitez blanks the Phillies in the ninth for his 39th save, breaking southpaw John Franco‘s club record.

Let’s go Mets!

The post Morning Briefing: Wacha Looks To Keep Slim Playoff Hopes Alive appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

A fresh week means a fresh podcast, Mets fans! In this edition, myself (@SamLebo14 on Twitter) and Jack (@jackhendon_) try to get to the bottom of our lovable, frustrating baseball team. Things are starting to look bleak after a series loss against the Blue Jays in Buffalo.

After we discuss the series and the week in general, we look at the National League playoff picture and if we can see the Mets sneaking in at the moment.

Later on, we talk about why this team just cannot seem to get any momentum going.

We also talk about the pitching staff behind and around Jacob deGrom. Do we see Seth Lugo as a starter long term? Who could they target in the offseason to fill the gaps?

We also talk about deGrom and his search for a third consecutive NL Cy Young Award. We break down his competition and if he has a chance.

And finally, before remembering some guys and remembering what happened on this day in Mets’ history, we talk no-hitters! Alec Mills of the Cubs threw one on Sunday, so that begs the question: who will be the next Met (not named deGrom) to throw a no-no? We have answers.

We had fun with this episode and we hope you do too! Be sure to follow the podcast on Twitter @PGEPod_MMO for more content. See you next week, Mets fans!

The post Pleasant Good Evening Podcast Episode 4: The Search for a Winning Streak appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Happy Monday morning Mets fans! It’s your favorite podcasting duo back again for episode three of the best new Mets cast on the market. This week, myself (@SamLebo14 on Twitter) and Jack (@jackhendon_) break down a successful, if not emotional, week in Metsland.

We start off by discussion Jacob deGrom‘s dominance against the Phillies in yesterday’s rout. Then, Jack and I discuss the passing of Hall of Famer and Mets legend Tom Seaver, and try to put into words exactly what he meant to us as young Mets fans and to the franchise as a whole. Jack’s message is especially touching and you don’t want to miss it.

Next, we break down what the Mets did on the trade deadline and how it impacts the current roster. Do we like the moves for Todd Frazier, Robinson Chirinos, and Miguel Castro? How does this affect the Mets behind the plate moving forward?

We also evaluate how the Seth Lugo and Andrés Giménez experiments are going and whether the Mets should move on from them.

And finally, we go over your responses to last week’s mailbag question! Thank you all for your responses here at MMO and on Twitter. Keep your eyes peeled for our next question sometime soon. And, as always, we end the episode by remembering some random Mets.

We hope you enjoy episode three! Be sure to follow the podcast on Twitter @PGEPod_MMO for more content. See you next week, Mets fans!

The post Pleasant Good Evening Podcast Episode 3: This One’s for Tom appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Speaking on ESPN, insider Jeff Passan said that the Mets would entertain a trade of Edwin Diaz but their valuations have not lined up with other teams.

“The Mets want to trade him,” Passan said. “Not many people want him. End of story.”

pic.twitter.com/mmXdSiKlsT

— UConn Has A Football Team (@UConnHasAFBTeam) August 31, 2020

Passan later clarified on Twitter that the possibility of a trade isn’t exactly as bleak as his TV comments made it seem.

“Edwin Diaz can be had,” Passan wrote. “Mets are still asking more than clubs want to pay for him. Teams love the arm but want to buy low.”

Despite his continued struggles in the ninth inning, Diaz is indeed an attractive buy-low option for teams that can afford to withstand his occasional blow-ups or believe they can get him back to being the pitcher he was two years ago in Seattle.

The Mets, however, recognize the potential and acknowledge his two additional years of team control and will thus not move him for less than an ideal package.

Andy Martino of SNY adds that the Mets have received trade calls on Diaz but, given the large investment placed in him in the winter of 2018, won’t sell him at his lowest value.

Diaz has a 2.77 ERA and 47% strikeout rate in 13.0 innings but has blown a major league-leading four saves.

The post Passan: Mets Would Move Edwin Diaz for Right Price appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

According to Robert Murray on Twitter, the Padres are acquiring right-handed starter Mike Clevinger from the Indians.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports the full deal as follows:

RHP Mike Clevinger, OF Greg Allen, and PTBNL to the Padres for OF Josh Naylor, C Austin Hedges, SS Gabriel Arias, LHP Joey Cantillo, and SS Owen Miller.

Clevinger, 29, has a 3.18 ERA through four starts this season. He’s coming off a 2019 season in which he had a 2.71 ERA, 169 strikeouts, and 4.1 WAR in 21 starts for the Indians.

The former fourth round pick is under team control through the 2022 season.

Padres have now acquired catchers Jason Castro and Austin Nola, reliever Trevor Rosenthal, and first baseman Mitch Moreland as they look to make a serious run in 2020.

The post MLB News: Padres Acquiring Mike Clevinger appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Meet James.

Mets baseball helped him get through his son’s stillbirth at 8.5 months, early in the 2014 season. That season changed him as a fan and as a person. Here’s how.

Tell me your full story.

I’m happy to talk a little bit more about 2014, when we lost our son. It was about two weeks into the season, and very sudden and unexpected, caused by a previously unknown condition my wife has. From the get-go, I decided to not hide it – I know a lot of folks, especially guys do, and no judgment there, but that wasn’t me. I knew I’d need help healing, so I spoke up. In this day of social media, even one of the Mets players on that year’s team reached out privately and we remain friends to this day. Folks who are still friends reached out with similar stories and experiences to share in my grief and help. True community, no trolls.

That friendship with the player came in handy in July when I was in Seattle, when the Mets played the Mariners – that day was supposed to be my son’s first ballgame. The tickets had been purchased months previous and to have a supportive face say “Hey” and check in meant everything. Also, I had a few Twitter friends in the crowd that day and it was good – I needed community that day and I found it.

That year, I learned that while I love my Mets and I treasure every memory, they didn’t replace the good things, the good times, and those not nearly as good. The end result is a die hard fan who finally brought some priorities into line that had been askew for myself for awhile. Over the next, we were blessed with a diagnosis and treatment for my wife’s condition. We found out that fall we were pregnant and the same group of folks gathered around us, helped us deal with the fears, and the previously mentioned player even did a gender announcement video for our daughter, who turned five in the shadow of the quarantine in May. And that October, looking at her smile, made losing the World Series seem like nothing. Both of my children, the son I lost and the daughter we’ve been entrusted to raise, both teach me more than I could ever share.

That is incredible though and truly shows the true colors of this team and Mets fans. I think it’s safe to say that both the outreach from the player and from fellow Mets fans is what picked you up after such a loss, right?

Yeah, the distractions of the games themselves also played a role, and that’s part of where I changed as a fan. Whether they won or lost, that was still an escape for me, it was still three hours that I could ignore the pain if I needed to. (Don’t get me wrong, I was not avoiding dealing with the family in the sense of my wife, if she needed me, game went on pause or was watched after she went to bed).

Entirely understand, we can all use an escape and you definitely needed one then. I have to congratulate you on your daughter, though! Has she fallen in love with the game of baseball yet?

She is starting to, very much so. She got her first mitt this spring. I feel bad because she really wanted to play tee-ball this year and of course, no leagues due to COVID.

A lot of people talk about how negative Twitter can be, but from your story, it sounds like you had the opposite experience. Any advice or suggestions for those who want to use Twitter positively or build their own community like you have?

Twitter (and social media) really can be whatever you want to make it, but it takes work. I like my Twitter to be a bit of an escape, so I tend to weed out things like politics (easier said than done these days, but I still try, all sides too, there are other places I can find it if I want it). On the Mets side, I also tend to weed out fans who enjoy more bullying personas as well as overly negative (objective is great, plenty to be objective about, but misery is fun for no one). Like I said, it takes work, but you can still make it a mostly good place for yourself, talk to not only great fans but great people, inevitably, you find each other.

This is definitely a story about how baseball is more than a game. It sounds like it has given you and your family so much already. Anything else you want to add?

Baseball is more than a game… and it’s just a game. It’s a strange lesson, but I feel like that’s what I learned – to take the experience of what’s on the field and separate it from the experience as a fan. In my life as an “online fan,” which I was a very early adopter of (my parents moved our family to the Portland, Oregon area in 1988, so Mets info was hard until the internet a few years later), I have participated on services (AOL, Prodigy, etc.), forums, co-owned my own fan website, co-hosted a Mets podcast of nearly nine years (and recently restarted because… quarantine, ha!), etc… and the good people always find each other. Mets fans, when you find the great ones, and there are many, there isn’t a better feeling, you’re with family. Baseball is a common thread… my parents built their relationships going to Mets games together including Game 5 in 1969. They took me to my first game at Shea when I was eight in 1983 to see my favorite new rookie Daryl Strawberry, and I got to take them both to their last games at Shea – my mom in 2000 (she passed in 2012, but didn’t go back often) had her final game a doozy… the 10-run inning with Piazza’s laser beam homerun. Dad got to see a game at Shea in 2008 and I got to take him to Citi after Mom died, before his Parkinson’s and dementia kicked in badly. My last favorite memory with him is sitting on the couch watching the 2015 World Series together. After that, the memory started getting bad, and today he doesn’t know any of us. But the common threads, still baseball, still family.

Do you have a story you want to share about how the Mets helped you through a difficult time? We want to hear it – DM us on Twitter.

The post How the Mets Saved Me: Meet James appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Photo: Ed Delany, MMO

The Mets have made a couple of roster moves to account for yesterday’s drama.

The Mets promoted C Ali Sanchez to join the big-league club. Sanchez, 23, is a defensively-minded catcher, but showed promise with the stick in 2019. In 92 games in 2019, he slashed .261/.326/.322 with a homer and 33 RBI’s.

He is regarded as one of the team’s top prospects with MLB Pipeline, Fangraphs, and MetsMinors.net all ranking him within the top-30 farmhands in the Mets’ system.

After Rene Rivera‘s IL placement earlier this week, Sanchez’s promotion means that the Mets, yet again, are carrying three catchers on their 30-man roster.

When he debuts, he will become the fourth Met to make his first Major-League appearance this season. He will wear No.70, joining Eric Hanhold and Wilfredo Tovar in the only Mets to don those digits.

MetsMerizedOnline’s own Jacob Resnick notes on Twitter that with Sanchez’s addition to the 30-man squad, the Mets have zero position players left on their 40-man roster that are not on the active club.

In a corresponding move, the Mets placed OF Yoenis Cespedes on the restricted list after the club announced yesterday that he would opt-out of the 2020 campaign.

Additionally, RHP Hunter Strickland was outrighted to the alternative training site. He had cleared waivers earlier in the week.

Strickland appeared in three games for New York this season and drubbed to the tune of three runs in 2.1 innings.

The post Mets Promote Sanchez, Place Cespedes on Restricted List appeared first on Metsmerized Online.