3/18/24

Mets Prospect Profile: C Ronald Hernandez

This is the next post in a series intended to bring awareness to some of the lesser-known prospects in the Mets' organization  This series will post a different prospect each weekday at 11:00am EST for the benefit of our fans.


Ronald Hernandez is a 20/yr old switch hitting catcher that also can play first and DH.

He was signed with an $800K international bonus, as a 16 year old, by the Marlins in 2020.

Hernandez spent three years in the Marlins chain, including 2023, where he stated 104 AB, 3HR, 25RBI, 32BB, 27SB, and .298/.464/.452/.916.

Ronald came to the Mets from the Marlins, along with IF Marco Vargas, for a week or two of David Robertson (another great guppy trade).

He then played with the FCL Mets, going .286/.509/.486/.995, before ending the season with St. Lucie. 

MACK'S SPIN  - 

First of all, hats off for making the Marlins to throw this kid in on this trade.

The offensive stats are already impressive, but one must stop and remember that his top skills come from his defense.

Yes. That's right. A 20 year old catcher that can throw (33% throw out % in 2022), catch, hit, and run. What do you do, what do you do?

I expect him to open up this season where he finished up last year... with Lucy.

His goals are to continue to work on both his defensive skills but also his hitting.

A steal.

Paul Articulates – Get to know the prospects

The second half of spring training is always a very important time for baseball prospects.  They are in the home stretch of showing what they can do, and many are close to being assigned to the team that they will break camp with – whether that is an MLB team or a minors affiliate.


As you have seen from our weekday 11am posts, there are many prospects working their way up through the system.  We recently had a great opportunity to see some of the most compelling prospects showcase their talents in the Spring Breakout Game, where the Mets and the Nationals participated in a contest between their brightest future stars.

The stars were indeed bright for the Mets, who prevailed in the game 4-2.  The starting outfield  included Drew Gilbert in right, Jett Williams in center, and Alex Ramirez in left.  That’s right, Jett Williams was playing center, not a middle infield position for this showcase game.  

Some folks, including writers on this site have speculated that he could move there because of his speed and versatility.  Apparently great minds think alike!  The infield was loaded with talent as well, with Ryan Clifford, Marco Vargas, LuisAngel Acuna, and Jesus Baez showing what they could do.

To me, the stand-outs were Ryan Clifford who powered an opposite field double to drive in a run in the first and also scored one in the fourth; and the pitching.  Dom Hamel, Tyler Stuart, Blade Tidwell, Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat, and Calvin Ziegler all spent time on the hill and pitched well.  To me, I was really impressed with the ease that Sproat and Ziegler threw with.  They are both coming up from lower minors levels and Sproat was throwing consistently at 98/99MPH.  Both fanned two in scoreless innings.

Before and after the Breakout game, the Media duo from the Binghamton Rumble Ponies Jacob Wilkins and Matt Levine had a chance to interview some of the prospects.  Jacob was kind enough to share those interviews with the Mack’s Mets group so I include them below with a big thank you to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies!

Here are a few of the interviews with the players.  We will include a series of the interviews with a link on the home page so you can get a feel for some of our future Mets.


Tyler Stuart played in both Brooklyn and Binghamton last year, recording a perfect 4-0 record with a 1.55 ERA before being moved up to AA.  He is a 6’9” 250 pound right-hander that was selected by the Mets in the sixth round of the 2022 draft.  
 Tyler Stuart Spring Training Interview.mp4


Rhylan Thomas played at three levels last year as an outfielder and won the defensive player of the year award in the Mets’ minor league system.  Rhylan was a defensive standout last year and has very good speed which he put to use in the Spring Breakout game with an impressive dash from first to third on a base hit to center.  Thomas has put on 12 pounds of muscle in the off-season so look for more athleticism from him this year.
 Rhylan Thomas Spring Training Interview.mp4


Blade Tidwell also played in Brooklyn and Binghamton last season.  The 22-year old pitcher has always impressed me with his competitiveness on the mound.  He is at his best when runners are in scoring position.  Tidwell played his college ball at Tennessee where he was teammates with Drew Gilbert.


Reese Kaplan -- David Stearns Walked Into a Financial Mess


For Monday morning, let's take a deep breath and forget for a moment about the sometimes questionable roster assembly decisions made by POBO David Stearns and instead let's see the financial situation he inherited when he agreed with Steve Cohen to take the position and move on from a successful career in Milwaukee.  

If you asked the average Mets fan what the payroll is for the 2024 season they would likely guess somewhere north of $300 million.  Oddly, that answer would be wrong.  It actually falls slightly under $300 million but that excess from long term contracts still associated with the Mets team pushes an $81 million tax which makes the starting point about $380 million.  That's not pocket change even for the uber-wealthy Steve Cohen.  


To begin, let's see what payroll obligations actually exist.  For long term contracts which are guaranteed, the Mets are on the hook for $193 million.  Back in the Wilpon days that amount would have been a fictitious fantasy, but under this regime it's merely a starting point.

Next comes the obligations to players with arbitration which adds another $36 million to the pot and then you have players who have not yet reached arbitration eligibility who tack on another $4 million.  Add it all up and you're looking at $233 million.  

But wait, isn't that well below the nearly $300 owed in pre-tax dollars.  Why, yes, in fact it is.  That is why the payroll picture contains more layers than you might have imagined.

Some might wonder how the $233 million total evolved.  It is, of course, a combination of luring in free agents, drafting players and paying fees associated with ones they signed, making trades, dabbling in the international market and making waiver claims.  David Stearns has indeed used each of these avenues to try to transition the team from its horrific 2023 into a competitive team in 2024 and then a pennant chasing one in 2025.  


Where else did the money go?  Well, you need to count on dollars promised to folks who are now in different clubhouses than the one at Citifield.  Both of the ace pitchers put on the trading block in July will result in over $47 million in Mets payroll obligations.  Add in another $8 million for James McCann and you're up to over $55 million.  Add that to the $233 owed to everyone else and you're up to $288 million.  Then there were buyouts paid to others like Darin Ruf, Eduardo Escobar and additional buyouts.  You can now easily see how the Mets payroll obligation does indeed approach $300 million.  

Now there is some good news at the end of this costly tunnel.  Much of the payroll obligations disappears after the 2024 season ends.  There's no more Max Scherzer nor Justin Verlander money (unless the currently injured future Hall of Famer logs 140 innings which will cause another payment to happen).  Even James McCann's share disappears.  In addition, consider how many short term or option-oriented contracts the Mets are now carrying which means much more flexibility in payroll is indeed on the near horizon for 2025.  

By some estimates, the total payroll obligation will drop to $172 million.  Now obviously they need to make important and expensive decisions about some high-dollar players like Pete Alonso, prospective free agent Juan Soto and others, but there are also going to be a lot of roster vacancies, not all of which can be fulfilled by people in Binghamton or Syracuse.  

Without delving too deeply into who is owed how much, the fact it that there are only seven players sucking up most of that $172 million total.  In theory it would give the Mets nearly $70 million to spend on other players, but of course that could change if they opted to trade away any of their current long term obligations or retain any of their free agents to be.  

Then you also have to consider the possibility of securing early someone like Francisco Alvarez with a deal mirroring what the Braves and other savvy organizations do to buy out arbitration and free agency.  It gets better still in 2026 but then more of the long term obligations also disappear which means more lockers to fill with ballplayers.    


The fact is that while some of us (me, in particular) have been highly critical of the seeming inertia and take-a-chance player acquisitions made by David Stearns, he did not have that never ending supply of money that other GMs (Billy Eppler in particular) had at their disposal.  

3/17/24

Tom Brennan - Numbers vs. Wishes and Hopes


Mark Vientos was up 4 times Saturday night. He fanned 4 times.

That said, he had lots of K company, as there were 26 other Ks in the game.

But that sort of “4 for 4” is not good.

All we can objectively do is objectively look at the data and ask what it tells us.

In all spring training and regular season plate appearances, Vientos has done this:

Spring T: 117 PA, 106 AB, 12 R, 26 H, 8 D, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 10 BB, 38 K

Regular:  274 PA, 254 AB, 22 R, 52 H, 6 D, 10 HR, 25 RBI, 15 BB, 83 K

Total:  391 PA, 360 AB, 34 R, 78 H, 14 D, 15 HR, 40 RBI, 25 BB, 121 K

Not good.

He had 348 PA (spring and regular) before this spring, a sizable experience #. 

Is he up trending this spring?

One might expect him to, after all that previous experience and preparation.

Seems not, as he is just 7 for 41, with 2 walks and 14 K this spring.

So far, he seems like a righty Kirk Nieuwenhuis, without Kirk’s ability to draw BBs.

He needs to produce more, as his speed and glove are not offsetting assets.

We Mets fans all root for him. We’re waiting for that up ramp. 

We need it to show up in 2024.

P.S. When considering high strikeouts, I occasionally think about a guy who defined ultra-low strikeouts, Hall of Famer Joe Sewell.

“Between 1924 and his final season in 1933, Sewell recorded two seasons with just three strikeouts and three more with only four strikeouts.”

I wonder how he’d do today?

Another HOF Joe, Joe Medwick, stole just 29 of 52 in a 9 year prime career stretch.

Oddly, he had 102 triples in those 9 years.


2024 Draft - Mock - Future Sox - 2-13-2024

 




Future Sox    2-13-2024 


James Fox

 

1. Cleveland Guardians: JJ Wetherholt, SS, West Virginia

Left-handed hitter with a 70 tool and lots of wood bat success. Wetherholt might be the best hitter in the class and could stay at shortstop.

 

2. Cincinnati Reds: Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon State

Bazzana is an Australia native who hit .375 in the Cape Cod League last year. The infielder shows and advanced approach and raw power.

 

3. Colorado Rockies: Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest

The Rockies have been focused on pitching and Burns looks to be the best in the class with 100 mph velocity and a plus-plus slider.

  

4. Oakland Athletics: Nick Kurtz, 1B/OF, Wake Forest

Kurtz is a great defender at first base and has hit 39 homers in two college seasons. He hasn’t shown many weaknesses at the dish. BPA pick for A’s.

 

5. Chicago White Sox: Konnor Griffin, CF, Jackson Prep (MS)

Griffin is a 6-4, 205 pound outfielder who reclassified from the 2025 draft. The White Sox grab a definite center fielder with 30 home run potential. Area scout Warren Hughes was busy last year and he could be on the board early again this July. 

 

6. Kansas City Royals: Seaver King, SS, Wake Forest

King is a member of the United States Collegiate Team and has Cape success as well. A transfer from Wingate; all fields approach and defensive versatility should get him drafted this high.

 

7. St. Louis Cardinals: Charlie Condon, OF, Georgia

Condon is a right-handed hitter with massive raw power. The 6-6 slugger could end up at first base but teams likely try him in the outfield initially.

 

8. Los Angeles Angels: Jac Caglianone, LHP/OF, Florida

Caglianone is a two-way star but he has more upside with the bat. He’s a physical freak with big left-handed raw power. 

 

9. Pittsburgh Pirates: Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas

Smith has front line starter upside if he can harness his inconsistent control. The southpaw possesses great stuff and will be just 20-years-old on draft day.

 

10. Washington Nationals: PJ Morlando, OF, Summerville HS (SC)

Morlando displays significant offensive upside with plus hit and power tools but comes with significant risk on the defensive spectrum.

 

11. Detroit Tigers: Caleb Bonemer, SS, Okemos HS (MI)

Bonemar probably profiles at third base but he might be the best prep prospect from Michigan since Derek Jeter.

 

12. Boston Red Sox: Josh Hartle, LHP, Wake Forest

Hartle is in contention for top college lefty in the class but he’s more stuff than polish with a four-pitch mix.

 

13. San Francisco Giants: Vance Honeycutt, OF, North Carolina

The Tar Heel outfielder is really young for the college class and has shown significant rightly power but must cut down on the strikeouts.

 

14. Chicago Cubs: Brody Brecht, RHP, Iowa

Brecht has monster stuff with a plus-plus slider and fastball but he also possesses command issues and reliever risk. 

 

15. Seattle Mariners: Bryce Rainer, SS, Harvard-Westlake HS (CA)

Earning some Jack Flaherty comparisons, Rainer has shown projection and raw power at the plate while pitching.

 

16. Miami Marlins: Mike Sirota, OF, Northeastern

Sirota will be 20-years-old on draft day and has had Cape success with speed, bat speed and a center field profile.

 

17. Milwaukee Brewers: Braden Montgomery, OF, Texas A&M

Montgomery is a switch-hitting outfielder with a right field profile.

 

18. Tampa Bay Rays: Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Kansas State

Could be the highest drafted position player ever from Kansas State. He makes consistent contact and is playing shortstop this spring. 

 

19. New York Mets: Tommy White, 3B, LSU 

White has huge power and 51 homers in two college seasons but he’s a likely 1B or DH in pro ball. 

 

20. Toronto Blue Jays: Thatcher Hurd, RHP, LSU

Hurd’s fastball gets into the high 90’s with an above-average slider and could be a mid-rotation starter

Mack's Weekly Draft Update

 

Joe Doyle          @JoeDoyleMiLB          Mar 16, 2024: 

Valley View (Jonesboro, AR) OF Slade Caldwell isn’t getting much to hit this season, but he’s off to a hot start. Slashing .500/.593/.786 with two triples, a double and 13 stolen bases over 7 games. 

Kid makes an offense go 

                    Joe Doyle          @JoeDoyleMiLB 

Correction: Caldwell’s slash line is .500/.692/.857. 

…… math is hard.

 

 

Jared Perkins          @JaredCP1          Mar 16, 2024:

         Chase Burns Final Line…

         7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 13 K - 109 Pitches

 

 

 Kendall Rogers           @KendallRogers         Mar 16, 2024: 

For as much as we’ve talked about how good of a hitter Jac Caglianone is and how much better he has been on the mound, his defense has been excellent over at first base so far this weekend for

 

 

 Aaron Fitt          @aaronfitt          Mar 16, 2024:

 Tommy White has made some great plays on defense at third tonight, very impressive. Christian Little comes in and gets Aaron Downs to hit a grounder down 3B line; White Fields behind bag, steps on bag and makes a great throw for a 5-3 DP. 



Kendall Rogers @KendallRogers  Fri, Mar 15, 2024: 

Texas A&M is knocked from the ranks of the unbeatens as Gator BB wins the series opener, 8-6. Cags with two homers, but story of the game was Brandon Neely’s three strong frames out of the bullpen for Florida. 

 

Teddy Cahill @tedcahill , Mar 15, 2024: 

Duke, fwiw, has played less than. a third of its schedule (18 games). Charlie Beilenson has eight saves. David Berg's single-season Division I record is 24. 

Mack - Helium alert 

 

Teddy Cahill  @tedcahill  Fri, Mar 15, 2024: 

Nick Kurtz out of the game. He was looked at earlier by a trainer after landing awkwardly when he dove for a ball. Stayed in the game initially, but has since been replaced.

 Teddy Cahill @tedcahill 

The word from Tom Walter on Nick Kurtz after he left injured tonight: 

"Don't know exactly what it is yet but I doubt we see him the rest of the weekend." 

Les Johns @Les_Johns Mar 16, 2024: 

The ACC Network broadcast says Wake Forest coach Tom Walter hopes first baseman Nick Kurtz can return in three- to-four weeks from a shoulder injury sustained last night against UVA

 

Mark Etheridge @marketheridge Fri, Mar 15, 2024: 

Chris Cortez has settled things down in Gainesville. The RHP has retired 7 straight, all 7 by strikeout.

 

Kendall Rogers @KendallRogers  Fri, Mar 15, 2024: 

Chris Cortez looks by far the best I've ever seen him tonight. He's sitting 97-98 mph with his fastball and the slider is electric right now at 87-89 mph. 7-straight K's

  

Tyler Jennings @TylerJennings24  Mar 15, 2024: 

Jonathan Santucci is done after five solid innings against a challenging Clemson lineup. 

Final line: 5 IP, 2 H, 2 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 11 K. 96 total pitches. 

Much better outing than last week. Will have video ASAP. 


 

Dan Valerio  @DanValerio3  Mar 13, 2024: 

UVA commit ‘24 RHP Bryce Meccage (Pennington)

@BryceMeccage | @PBR_DraftHQ 

Ultra ATH looked in mid season form in his inning of work today. 3 K’s 

FB: 95-96 (H 96.8)

CB: 78-79 

CB much improved from last spring. 

 

Joe Doyle  @JoeDoyleMiLB) Mar 13, 2024: 

Feels like this is going to be a college-pitching heavy 1st Round. Lot of quality up there. 12 college arms inside the Top 40 in next Monday's Top 300 update. 

College arms drafted in Rd 1:

2023: 5

2022: 7

2021: 10

2020: 12

2019: 9

2018: 9

2017: 12 

The counterargument to this is, and it's been described to me as such, it's not so much "quality up there" as much as it is lack of tangible projectable impact at the top. 

 

BA - 

Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest (2) 

Kurtz entered the year as the No. 2 player in the class thanks to his precocious hitting ability but he’s gotten off to a slow start this spring and has slashed .220/.466/.380 with two home runs. He went hitless during this series (0-for-8) but displayed the sort of hitting traits you would expect to see. He brings an advanced approach that helps him get on base even when balls in play aren’t falling for hits. 

 

Joe Doyle  @JoeDoyleMiLB  Mar 13, 2024: 

Some bloodlines for the 2024 Draft: 

Cam Caminiti (Ken's cousin)

Lucas Ramirez (Manny's son)

Noah Sheffield (Gary's son)

Adrian Beltre Jr. (Adrian's son)

Owen Washburn (Jarrod's son)

Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek (Mark's son)

Kolt Myers (Brett's son)

TJ Stottlemyre (Todd's son) 

 

Perfect Game Scout @PG_Scouting  Mar 12, 2024: 

Gross stuff today from Joshua Whritenour (‘24 FL) on the bump, pumped 93-96 early in a 4 inning start for @A3_Trojans. Picked up 6 Ks w/ natural feel for spin.  Gators BB commit 

 

Joe Doyle @JoeDoyleMiLB Mar 11, 2024: 

The new @FSS_PLUS 2024 Draft Boards will drop a week from today. One guy you can expect to surge is prep SS Theo Gillen. The raw/game power have made big strides this spring and the physical tools continue to shine. One of the more decorated pure hitters from last summer 

 

Prospect Dugout @prospectdugout Mar 12, 2024: 

(Mack - remember this name…) 

Landon Green 

94 at 15 years old is wild 

 https://t.co/enlJD7Vbln  

 

PG College Baseball @PGCollegeBall  Mar 09, 2024: 

Brock Moore (‘24 elig.) throwing absolutely gas out of the pen. Imposing 6-6/230 frame with massive intent down the mound. FB has consistently sat 96-99 mph. Pounding the zone with the pitch. Can create depth on breaking ball at 80-84 mph when spun well 

 https://t.co/DROSHryzJS  

 

Joe Doyle @JoeDoyleMiLB  Mar 11, 2024: 

Arguably the top HS RHP in the class, Catholic HS bluechip William Schmidt has disgusting stuff. Up to 98 w/the best curveball in the class, Schmidt figures to go high in July. 

But what gets him out of bed in the morning? Any chances he gets to LSU? 

https://t.co/OWFryOeWad 

 

Stephen Schoch  @bigdonkey47 Mar 10, 2024: 

Jac Caglianone just turned in one of the more impressive outings you’ll see this weekend: 6 innings pitched, 9 strikeouts, 0 hits 

https://t.co/tAmBz5Gzmn  

 

MLB Pipeline @MLBPipeline  Mar 10, 2024: 

Jac Caglianone would like your attention, please. 

9 K's over 6 no-hit frames for the two-way @GatorsBB Draft prospect today. 

Story, and where Caglianone stands on our Draft prospect rankings: 

https://t.co/8R1QxqYQv4     https://t.co/rmCOiz2fBa    

 

Joe Doyle @JoeDoyleMiLB  Mar 10, 2024: 

Malcolm Moore's metrics are pretty good this year despite not showing a gaudy slash line just yet. A whole lot of fly balls finding gloves. Not this one though. His fifth bomb of the season. 

Catch & throw has certainly taken a step forward too. 

https://t.co/ZEdfyKSINU 

 

Aaron Fitt  @aaronfitt) Mar 10, 2024: 

Seaver King is really heating up, and that's a great development for @WakeBaseball. He has looked like an All-American weekend; he stays hot by lacing a Kyle Johnson changeup on the outside corner the other way for a double, then scored on a Jake Reinisch oppo double 

 

Brian Recca @brian_recca  Mar 10, 2024: 

Connor Lane | '24 UConn commit 

Very interesting look here with Connor Lane. Primarily a catcher, Lane hopped on the mound and looked super comfortable. Plus arm strength w/ present stuff. 

FB: 91-92; x2 93; x2 t94 (scout in attendance had 95)

SL: upper 70s 

https://t.co/hoI4ae7Pi7  

 

 


Mack - Sunday Morning Observations

 


 

Who has MLB's top Pipeline? We rank 'em all, from 1 to 30 -

 

13. New York Mets 

2023 midseason rank: 11

2023 preseason rank: 11

2022 midseason rank: 14

2022 preseason rank: 20

 

Top 100 prospects: Jett Williams, SS/OF (No. 45); Drew Gilbert, OF (No. 53); Luisangel Acuña, SS/2B (No. 66); Ryan Clifford, OF/1B (No. 97)

 

Seven of the Mets’ Top 13 prospects – including three Top 100 talents in Gilbert, Acuña and Clifford – were Trade Deadline additions last year, giving the system a new coat of paint. On the more immediate front, upper-level pitchers Christian Scott, Blade Tidwell and Mike Vasil could contribute to the Major League club’s starting depth this summer. The Mets may lack a Top 40 prospect, but the overall and improved depth gives them a spot in the upper half of our rankings. 

Mack - this was compiled by three of the top draft experts in the game (Sam Dykstra @SamDykstraMiLB, Jim Callis @JimCallisMLB., Jonathan Mayo @Jonathan Mayo), so look to this to be the most accurate ranking of both players and teams. 

The only reason the Mets are ranked lower here than 2023 is because the Baby Mets have graduated. 

 

I had an interesting exchange with an ex-Mets coach this week which was focused on who he thought would be brought north as utility players and relief pitchers. 


He bluntly said those things will not be decided until a week or less than they pack the truck out of Lucy.


I began to go down a road I seldom travel... quoting exceptional spring stats... when he abruptly stopped me and said that spring stats do not determine the answers needed here (told ya).


He said some of the area that  come into play here are:

   - is the team trying to improve its roster offensively or defensively? 

   - is there a specific RHH or LHH need to be filled here?

   - is the ultimate goal to bring more pop or is it OBP?


Regarding the remaining two relief slots... and there are only two... still open, going 0-0, 0.00 and producing 90 strikeouts in ST in 30 innings pitched is not the first factor here.

He said 60+% of the IP are against batters with little or no major league success.

Factors include what hole remains in the pen (velo, which arm used), how he looks and handles the work, and the general intimidating way he approaches his outings.

He closed with "every batter, no matter how talented or not, gets their bat on a lucky ball and winds up planting runs, but it's what the pitcher does with the rest of who he faces turns out to be the tie breaker. 

 

SNY @SNYtv Mar 12, 2024:

Joey Lucchesi evaluates his first spring outing:

"When I was done with my outing, I sat and thought 'oh man, I let that happen. I'm way better than that.' I understand what I did wrong and somewhat right in that outing. I'll be alright, I'll be good"

Mack - You better be Joey.

There won’t be many more opportunities for you to be added to a major league rotation, so it is imperative that you right the wrong here and get on with it…

(He didn't...)

 

What the hell is the Mets going to do with Jose Butto

He basically has been close to perfect this spring, producing a 0.90-ERA. The problem is that The rotation has four slots filled and Tyler Megill will probably fill the slot left open by the Kodai Senga injury.

The projected Syracuse rotation looks sick with some combination of Butto, Joey Lucchese, Mike Vasil, Dom Hamel, Christian Scott, and Tylor Stuart.

Like I said… sick.

 

I’m on record this year that I believe that the Mets will suck the big one.

I violated my first rule with this “opinion”. I’ve always been a subjective “reporter” of the Mets, not an opinionated super-fan. I’ve never referred to this team as “us”. They are “they”. And my sports writing began as a newspaper reporter so I was trained to always write in third party.

This column contains the word “observation” so I observe here and give you my opinion.

My opinion on the outcome of the 2024 Mets isn’t shared by most on this site. Some, like Gus the reader, and Ray the writer, have confronted me on this projected outcome.

That’s fine. Like Elon Musk spoke of Don Lemon, it’d a free country and a free country has free speech.

You probably am not going to enjoy what I say about the 2024 Mets this season. I am what I am. Once, very positive about this team, now the opposite. Oh, I wear shades when I speak past this season, but frankly, that’s the best you’re going to get out of me through October.

My only advice to you is the same I used to tell the liberal listeners of the Rush Limbaugh Show that I aired on my stations.

You may hate it but you can quote every word Rush said. And that alone will make for some healthy banter.

 

Mets latest roster moves:

OPTIONED -

RHP Reed Garrett

LHP Joey Lucchesi

REASSIGNED

C Austin Allen

IF Rylan Bannon

They're down to 48 players in camp.