New Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen has given every indication that the organization will push to contend right away. He also rather notably suggested that the Mets would not shy away from adding through the free agent market. What remains unclear, however, is the club’s plan to pay for new additions. The New York org has opened each of the past two campaigns with $150MM or so in payroll. With arb money factored in for 2019, there isn’t much of a gap between the team’s existing commitments and its recent levels of spending. Addressing the media again yesterday, Van Wagenen was non-committal about the financial expectations, as Anthony DiComo of MLB.com tweets. While he reiterated that the Mets don’t see any free agents as being off limits, he also stated that the subject of payroll has not even been broached in detail with ownership.
Needless to say, that’s a bit of a curious statement given that the offseason is at hand. Here’s more from Van Wagenen’s chat:
- Catching is one area of some focus for the Mets, and it seems that Van Wagenen is contemplating some maneuvering with his options behind the dish. As Mike Puma of the New York Post covers on Twitter, Van Wagenen indicated that the club is drawing interest in its existing fleet of backstops — including, it seems, the Tommy John rehabbing Travis d’Arnaud. Despite his evident talent, the 29-year-old backstop has rarely stayed healthy or produced consistently. He projects to earn $3.7MM in his final season of arbitration eligibility. That seems like a fairly hefty rate of pay, but Van Wagenen indicated the Mets could tender d’Arnaud and then deal him. While Van Wagenen says d’Arnaud will “hopefully” be ready to play, as DiComo adds on Twitter, there are still no assurances that he’ll be tendered.
- In terms of catching targets, Tim Healey of Newsday tweets that Van Wagenen spoke well of Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, though he hardly gave any clear indication that there’ll be a pursuit. Realmuto figures to draw strong interest from a variety of contenders, and it’s frankly somewhat difficult to see the Mets coming away with him. There are certainly plenty of other possibilities, of course. We broke down the broader market situation about a month ago in our Market Snapshot series.
- As for infielder Wilmer Flores, another player with a questionable arbitration situation, Van Wagenen also walked a fine line. As DiComo tweets, the new GM did not say definitively that Flores will be tendered — which would cost a projected $4.7MM. But Van Wagenen seemingly spoke in terms that suggest Flores is in the organization’s plans. “I think he should be healthy and ready to go,” Van Wagenen said of the 27-year-old Flores, “and we will be counting on him. … He’s had a long track record of performing against left-handed pitching.”
- The win-now mantra in Queens will also extend to prospect promotions, it seems. As DiComo covers, Van Wagenen made clear he won’t keep down Mets first base prospect Peter Alonso to open the year if he shows he deserves a roster spot. While no executive would admit to playing with service time with a top prospect, Van Wagenen went further in discussing one of the club’s best-regarded youngsters, who he labeled a potential “impact player.” Van Wagenen says that the Mets want “to put the best 25 guys on the field” and notes that “the wins in April are just as important as the wins in September.”
- Meanwhile, Van Wagenen also gave a recent update on QB-turned-TV analyst-turned minor-leaguer Tim Tebow. As DiComo writes, the new Mets exec — who was most recently an agent who repped Tebow and quite a few other Mets players — gave rather an optimistic take on the former Heisman winner’s chances. Tebow, he says, will likely open the 2018 season at Triple-A but could even be considered for the MLB roster “if he wows us.”
Tebow mentioned just gives the state of where the Mets organization is.
He will stumble his way through half a season and then hit a big HR in extra innings in the WC game. Just like his days as a Bronco.
Pass what your smokin this way.
Tigers fans will soon have bizarre posts too now that Michigan passed recreational weed.
ey is gonna filibuster on this post
Believe me, there weed will contain more pesticides than the actual high inducing THC
I love California lol, anybody need packs I’m the plug (;
*Their lol
This guy
He will crush the odd home run in AAA, get a cup of coffee, and when the novelty has worn off, be cast aside one again.
The Lord always wins… HEATHEN!!!
(Except when it’s Clayton Kershaw in the postseason. Kershaw uses all of his prayers for the orphanages they’re building in Madagascar.)
It’s PR and a dream. Nothing to lose by talking positive. If he ever makes the big league club other than for a September call up, imagine how other minor league teammates will be feeling.
If he earns it then the other guys should play better than him!
I’ve always been a firm & unrelenting Tebow detractor, embarrassed that my Mets have engaged in what I believe is a tix & merch stunt for $$. That having been said, he hit .273 in 298 ABs at AA last year, with a .734 OPS. In other words, he was about league average. By no means does that scream promotion, let alone major league roster spot. BUT…for a 30 y/o dude that is basically in Year 2 of a pro career after not having played since junior year of high school, that’s pretty freaking impressive. Remember Bubba Starling, the 5th overall pick in 2011 for the Royals? He took about 4 years to get to AA in 2015. Check out his AA stats, just for some perspective. You can blame the Mets for this fiasco (and I do), but it’s hard to complain about Tebow’s performance, considering.
Brodie Van Wagenen has mentioned that the Mets might aggressively attack the reliever market. I would personally stay away from Kimbrel for various reasons, but if BVW truly wants to turn the Mets bullpen into a strength, then he should sign 2 of the following:
David Robertson
Zach Britton
Adam Ottavino
Andrew Miller
Joe Kelly
Cody Allen
Sign two of these pitchers to become the Mets closer & setup men. The Mets should immediately follow these signings by showing the pitching staff they are willing to do anything to make them successful in 2019 by signing Wilson Ramos. This would already be a phenomenal off season for the Mets if they did these moves and any other moves that proceed it would just be icing on the cake.
Hey what do you guys think of Marwin González of the Astros or José Martínez of the Cardinals, late bloomers good bats and both play multiple positions
I think Marwin Gonzalez is the kind of player the Mets really need. A winning player, has been clutch the past couple of seasons and can play multiple positions. I like Jose Martinez too but he’s a defensive liability, that’s why I would assume the cardinals trade him to an AL team.
i think both of you guys hit it right on the head sign two of those relievers ramos and gonzalez , that would be a hell of an offseason to set the tone for van wagenen
Finally, I’m actually speaking with smart, logical baseball fans who don’t set unrealistic expectations.
Jose Martinez defensive flexibility is really non existent.. he should really play for an AL team and for the JD Martinez or Nelson Cruz mould. Except for less power
González is a good fit though. Reyes needs to go
Yes and yes. I’d be careful about Allen – his FIP rocketed last year, with a climbing walk rate – but any of those two plus Ramos would be significant upgrades that shouldn’t break the Wilpon’s (piggy) bank.
But but but…that “the subject of payroll has not even been broached in detail with ownership” is worse than troubling, as it suggests the new guy is either clueless or unconscious.. And Tebow?! Yikes. The Mets might as well re-sign Jose Reyes.
The main reason why I would be interested in Allen is because before this past season, he had been the model of consistency. If his medicals check out, I would assume he could be had at a lower AAV then the others on my list. Could end up being a steal of a signing.
I want Joe Kelly back in Boston but he now is a high risk, high reward player like a star coming back from a big injury. I’m not sure the Mets currently can afford the risk. His arm is golden but his inconsistency is alarming. He should sign with a club that hopes for the best but can replace him financially if he reverts backwards.
Danny B.;
Cody Allen to the Mets as a reclamation project has a very good chance of happening….if he’s healthy. Callahan developed him in Cleveland. He and Eiland should be able to get Allen back on track, and he should come cheap. Along with a half-decent left hander (look for a failed starter) that’s all the Mets need in the bullpen. Callahan developed the Indians bullpen, Eiland the WS Royals. They made progress with Gsellman and Lugo last year which can be built on. No reason to dump $15-18mm a year on 2 veteran bullpen guys. The Mets need that money elsewhere.
Yes, catcher is at the top of the list. A good one will make all the pitchers better – including the bullpen. They also could use a corner OF with some pop; and while Austin Jackson is a competent CF, they need to upgrade by either replacing him or maybe a healthy Lagares shares the position. Frazier and Bruce were bad signings, no team wants them and their salaries. Maybe the new GM can get them to stay in shape and focus. A healthy Yoenis Cespedes impacts the team positively….who here thinks he’ll get and stay healthy in 2019? Nimmo and Conforto have their moments, but are basically complimentary players that should be spotted in match-ups based on analytical data. McNeil did extremely well on both sides of the ball in 1/3’rd of 2018. He’s 26, and cheap. The Mets don’t have a budget to bring in a veteran 2B for $5-7mm a year more in 2019, and McNeil might well outperform them anyway. Rosario is a project – he needs to hot dog less at SS, be more consistent, and stop having brain cramps on D. If they succeed in making him a base stealer and get him to draw more walks, he could prove to be an asset.
Bottom line – the Mets are pretty much stuck with their position players. Not a very good offense, below average defense. Bring in a legitimate ML catcher, or 2 over the hill guys to share the position. Continue to develop the pitching. The NL East can be had, and the Mets have the starting pitching to do it. But the problem is too many old guys that need to stay healthy. Not realistic to think they will. Add that the team has next to no depth, so when injuries occur the team goes downhill.
Cody Allen did have his worst season “after” Mickey Callaway left. Coincidence??? Doubt it. Allen would be a steal and pairing him with either Britton or Ottavino as well as signing Wilson Ramos would improve the Mets on both sides of the fence.
After looking at the FA market and projected financial obligations of all players I had tabbed Miller and Kelly as targets for the Mets. Miller previously worked with Mickey in Cleveland and had some of his best years. Kelly was impressive all year with the Red Sox and seems to be getting better every year.
Both could easily rotate as Closer and Setup man and compliment each other.
Nabbing both would be a coup for the Mets and instantly solidify an otherwise shaky bullpen.
I really like your assessment, however, I would rather substitute Kelly with Robertson. That would be one heck of a dynamic duo.
I’d sign Corbin or Eovoldi (if the medicals justify it); heck, I’d sign ’em both. If you can’t keep up on a position by position basis , then pick one area where you can completely dominate. With that starting rotation, you can put Tebow at 1B……heck, you can put Eli Manning at 2B…. and Peyton at SS……
Some bright GM is going to look at the reliever-obsessed market, and be a contrarian, loading up on starters…that GM is going to be very successful……dollar per dollar, starters are actually under valued in this environment…..
By far the most uneducated response I’ve read today. Congratulations. You must be a trump supporter.
Congrats on going from a seemingly well informed fan ( based on your previous post on this thread) to another mean spirited internet tough guy / keyboard warrior that drags politics into the conversation. . Bobtillmans post was abit wacky – probably a stab at humor that was a swing and a miss but why not just ignore it.. or just downvote it.. and move on? I’m going out on a limb and guessing if you were sitting next to a stranger who rambled on like that you would roll your eyes get up and walk away rather than be confrontational.. Took less than 2 hrs for you to go from well intentioned conversation starter with valid thoughts to a troll
There will be an increase on clamping down on uneducated Republican voters online, so they will likely end up being shadowbanned, where they can post anything they want but nobody will ever see it, or they’ll be forced to take “re-education courses” to fall in line and satisfy Big Brother.
Never trust a grown up named Danny. If he hasn’t changed to Dan or Daniel by the age of 18 he is either still a child or can’t be taken seriously.
lol
If the posts on MLBTR are coming from “educated” people……
You mean the trade proposals offering spare parts for Mike Trout aren’t from seasoned executives but just armchair GM’s? This sucks.
For your information, my name is Daniel. I choose to use Danny on treads like this specifically because of a$$holes like you. Not sure if some of you have even gotten a GED yet. So, instead of commenting on people’s names, maybe you should worry about more pressing matters such as everything you currently don’t do.
Actually a Bernie Bro, from long time ago….but you’re wrong about everything else too, so it’s irrelevant…..and of course, DJT can only exist in the type of intellectual vacuum you espouse…keep it up, works very well for him….
Why does ANYONE hazard guesses about who they’ll get in trades? We’re talking about the Mets!
Also the whole catching situation in the Mets farm system all the way up to the actual team has to be revamped. There is nothing in the pipeline at the position for at least the next 10 years
There’s hyperbole, and then there’s saying there’s nothing in the pipeline at the position for at least 10 years! So, not only is there nobody in the system now, we won’t possibly get any viable prospects into the system until 4-5 years from now at the earliest. We need to start scouting guys who are almost ready to start high school now.
The METS could just buy a $30mil a year player. Like the Junkees did by gettin Suckton to play RF(that all he can play-)when they have the second coming of Dave Winfield already, then fire the coach who worked with their young players, get within 1 game of the WS and then
TAKE A LARGE STEP BACK–by going out in the 1st round.
Money talks, Wilpons. Until you start spending…
Snake oil Salesman talking.
Money doesn’t mean a damn thing. It’s strategically spending your money that works. Anyone can say, hey, here’s a check for $350 million. Do you want that??? What idiot would turn that down, no one. It’s important for Brodie Van Wagenen to establish a plan for the immediate future and beyond & then execute it to the best of his abilities. That’s the best way at creating, as BVW put it at his presser, “a winning culture & mindset”.
Do I want someone to come up to me and say “Hey, here’s a check for $350 million”? Yes. Yes, I do.
Lol dude just got the job and he’s talking about Tebow being on the MLB roster. Christ.
What do you want a team’s GM to do, bash their own player’s??? Oh yeah, because that’s a good business model. It’s amazing how many uneducated people comment on matters that are just commonsense for a businessman. STOP TROLLING!!!
Trolling? If you disagree with my take on things that’s fine, but there’s no reason to get all emo on us Danny.
Just stating the obvious brother. A smart businessman would never devalue his own merchandise.
Now if the goal was to just have everyone and their mom TALKING about the Mets, he should promote TT to the show today. Lol.
If Tebow is valuable merchandise in your business than you’ve got a big problem brother.
They will be cheap and frugal
low key kind of want Tebow to make the Mets just to see the Keith Law meltdown
Van Wagenen should establish a viable 3-to-5 year plan for the Mets. It would be refreshing to see the Mets operate within a grand scheme for a change.
I agree and I’m sure that’s one of the things BVW discussed with the Wilpons during his interview.
We’re you under Wilpons desk?
Well, I agree that this is something you would expect to have happened. But he said he hadn’t discussed a budget with the Wilpons, so I’m a little worried that important conversations that should have occurred by now (or even before BVW took the job) may not have happened.
What they are locked into already is Wright and Cespedes and hopefully some insurance money coming back. It is definitely the time to spend that insurance money. Sure, the payroll will still be high if you report the full value of those contacts, but if you get some of that back as insurance cash then give it to BVW to spend. The Mets are still far below the luxury tax not to add payroll. I also would not tender D’Arnold, and if you really want him, song him at a lower rate a la Brett Gardner. No fool organization is going to give him that $$ anyway. Make it an incentives heavy contract, but not anywhere near $3.7M straight pay. Tebow….. let’s see him hit in cold-weather Syracuse first before we consider bringing him up.
Agree Tebow should start (and perhaps end) next year in the minors. But he played in Binghamton last season, so going up to Syracuse won’t be a big change, weather-wise. He’s not coming from Vegas.
Does anyone believe Brodie accepted the job without discussing future payroll? They will spend in my view if they’re stadium loans allow for it as they need to address their fans. Amazing the last couple of years has only referred to Citi Field, not the team itself.
GM discussed Tim Tebow because a member of the media asked him a question about Tim Tebow. Had he said “next question” there would be more drama for different reasons.
Age aside, every GM would be taking a 6 foot 3, 245 pound beast who works hard and runs a 6.6 in the 60 yard dash seriously. Without question he improved in 2018 from the previous year.
Good enough for the bigs? No. However, a lot of you have bashed Machado for his lack of hustle and overall attitude. Tebow, who probably busts his tail and probably has an excellent attitude is everything a manager and GM wants out of a player. Yet some of you still go out of your way to bash Tebow.
I hope he succeeds and leads younger players by example.
I don’t really care if Tebow succeeds or not, but I agree with the seeming obsession with trash talking him. If any of us were given the opportunity to potentially play in the MLB, we would take it. Seems like a nice guy to me, it’s such a shame people have to turn a guy just trying to earn a spot playing professional sports into some sort of divisive icon and build all kinds of strawman arguments around him.
In any case, Tebow is one of the more interesting prospects in baseball as far as I’m concerned because he’s incredibly unique. Nobody gets the opportunity Tebow has been given, and to be blunt, he’s produced at a level well above anybody should have expected. He mostly held his own with a wRC+ of 106 in AA last year with less baseball experience than a typical 19 year old.
His K rate is unsustainable and 2019 will likely end his run as time stops for nobody and his body and reaction times are already in decline at age 31. That said, I think it would be great for the Mets if Tebow as able to produce a little at the MLB level for a couple years.
I don’t see tebow ever getting more than a cup of coffee in the mlb
The METS could just buy a $30mil a year player. Like the Junkees did by gettin Suckton to play RF(that all he can play-)when they have the second coming of Dave Winfield already, then fire the coach who worked with their young players, get within 1 game of the WS and then
TAKE A LARGE STEP BACK–by going out in the 1st round.
I love the fan boys using industry slang along with the “we” when referring to the team. Makes my toes tingle
finally, someone gets it
Anyone who doesn’t say “we” when talking about their team isn’t a true fan. Full stop.