Imagining a Better Mets Farm System

It's been great news that MLB and the Players Association are talking again, even if there is still quite a distance between the two sides' positions. However, it was telling that MLB deputy commissioner Dan Halem felt the need to bring up MLB's willingness to lose some games to get what they want out of the negotiations. We're not even in February, but they just had to dangle that sword over everyone's necks. But there is also news of some progress being made in items that both sides are willing to drop from their demands, so we'll just hold onto good thoughts and optimism for as long as we can. I'm still pessimistic about the MLB season starting on time, but I am a bit less cynical than I was before this week.

Focus On the Future if the Lockout Drags On

As expected, the first proposal since the lockout began from MLB to the Players Association did nothing to gain any traction towards an eventual settlement. In fairness, nobody who covers the sport seemed to be expecting anything substantial from MLB and Rob Manfred. If there is anything hopeful for fans to find in the offer, it was simply that the process has been started again. I personally don't expect serious offers to be made this month, but even half-serious talking is better than none at all.

Waiting for a New CBA

Back in the early months of the COVID-19 era, I spent a lot of time writing about the negotiations between MLB and the Players Union as they tried to agree on playing some sort of season. I remember that when the talks began, I was reasonably optimistic that a deal would be made relatively quickly. It seemed that both sides had an incentive to come together for the country and give all of us a welcome distraction from the pandemic.

Game Changer

Apologies for not posting for a while. I'm going through a difficult time personally. I had to endure another back surgery on December 16 — my fourth since September 2020. It's been a lot to deal with. It's been hard to maintain optimism to get past these problems after many setbacks. I have to admit that I was down in the dumps for a while.

Dave Mills: Much More Than Meets the Eye

Note: This is a guest post by Dave Mills, a frequent contributor to the old Mike's Mets blog.

The various bloggers and bloviators have been on a roll for the past several months. Save our friend Mike Steffanos, who is always introspective and erudite, the incessant speculation on who may be chosen to take primary responsibility for Mets roster construction and maintenance has been profoundly absurd. It is not an easy or quick process.

The Challenges Ahead

We find ourselves halfway through November, and the New York Mets' front office search hasn't been resolved yet. By all reports, the club is focused on hiring a GM. Other reports indicate the Mets still hope to install the Brewers' David Stearns as PBO after his current contract runs out next year. In that case, this year's GM hire would slot in underneath Stearns in the Mets front office hierarchy.

Not Going to Live By Their Rules Anymore

Don't drive angry

Since it was released in 1993, Groundhog Day has become synonymous with any situation that keeps repeating itself. It served as an apt metaphor for my dating life for quite a few years, until one fortunate day when that all changed. Likewise, there was a Groundhog Day aspect to much of the Wilpon regime, particularly towards the end of that ill-fated era. New York Mets fans watched helplessly as the club seemed determined to continually repeat the same mistakes.

Rule Changes Aren’t Always the Correct Fix

Friday night, Atlanta's manager Brian Snitker removed his starting pitcher Ian Anderson after only 5 innings. This isn't at all unusual these days, particularly in the playoffs, but Anderson had yet to allow a hit and had only thrown 76 pitches. Baseball tradition would seem to demand that Anderson be allowed more of a chance to make history, but the likelihood of the Braves' righty accomplishing the feat was fairly remote. He had only thrown 39 of those pitches for strikes and had already walked 3 batters.

The Search Goes On

The latest news in the Mets' search to find someone to lead their baseball operations is Mike Puma reporting in the New York Post that they have spoken with Matt Arnold, the Milwaukee Brewers GM under David Stearns. There are reports that the Mets have already talked with Arnold. Some reports say the Mets have even already offered the man a contract. Meanwhile, SNY's Andy Martino repeatedly insists on Twitter that the Mets need permission to speak with Arnold and have not yet received it. So it goes with the constant swirl of rumors about the search for a PBO.

The Media's Unfair Rush to Judgment

A lot has happened since the last time I posted here. The Astros and Braves will compete against each other in a World Series that doesn't hold much interest for me. The 2021 baseball season is rapidly winding down to a conclusion. What started back in late March with a ton of optimism for the New York Mets and those of us who love them is ending with the Mets in their usual position this time of year — just an afterthought for all but the most diehard fans.