New York Mets make playoffs after Washington Nationals – Rico Brogna Live Episode 301

New York Mets make playoffs after Washington Nationals – Rico Brogna Live Episode 301

[Music] [Music] it’s the amazing Rico bronia podcast with your host Evan Roberts a wild card spot that’s right it took until July 11th 2024 it took until the Mets got to two games above 500 it took until they swept the Washington Nationals for the second time this season but the New York Mets let this all sink in the New York Mets are currently in a playoff spot now that is cool that is a great accomplishment to go from being 11 games under 500 to two games above 500 and to do that in that short a period of time and to climb all the different teams they needed to climb to get to a wild card spot that isn’t a great accomplishment this has been a Wonder Wonder ful last couple of days as the Mets sweep the Washington Nationals three consecutive victories that on the heels of losing that finale to the Pittsburgh Pirates but I do remind you there’s a lot of work to be done so this is not a celebration episode this is not a pop the champagne episode because the season is not over now the Mets aren’t automatically qualifying for a playoff spot now but this was a very very cool couple of days because after what happened on that trip which was overall a decent trip I mean you go 4 and four against Washington and Pittsburgh I don’t think it was bad and we expressed that a couple of days ago but this was the moment this was the series this continues to be the home stand where this team needs to do serious work and through the first three games against the Washington Nationals they have done that it may not feel like the bullpen has pitched well but let I remind you that the bullpen pitched three scoreless Innings on Thursday afternoon even if it didn’t feel that way the Met Bullpen pitched two and two3 scoreless innings on Wednesday even if that didn’t feel that way so the Met Bullpen is on like a little bit of a mini run but the reality is this met offense continues to hit seven runs in the opener of this series we did a drive home Rico for that six run runs in the second game of this series the four-run rally in the sixth that gave them the lead and eventually the win and then a five run fifth inning two more in the eighth inning seven runs in the finale of this series seven six and seven the Mets came home and they scored runs the Mets came home and they pitched you know one of the most underrated things about this team over the last few weeks even during that stretch where they lost a couple of games they’re pitching really well their starting pitching has pitched really well and they’ve done something on this home stand that is going to be so important but they certainly did it in these three games against the Washington Nationals game number one seven Innings out of Jose canana game number two six in a third Innings out of Luis sevino pitching into the seventh inning and in the finale of this series and it didn’t look like it was likely because of the amount of pitches David Peterson through early but six scoreless Innings out of David Peterson it makes the bullpen job so much easier when it doesn’t need to get 15 outs and it doesn’t need to get 12 outs so kudos to the starting pitchers over the last three days canana sevino and David Peterson this offense and let me start with one particular guy we’ll start with the finale of this series we’ll get into game two we’ll read a lot of your emails we preview the Colorado series and yes there will be trade talk yes we will continue a discussion I had on the air earlier with Tiki about Pete Alonzo and buying and selling and who you buy and who you sell and if you can buy and if you can sell and we’ll take a listen to Brandon Nemo who is the captain of the New York Mets in a lot of ways Lindor to but Brandon nmo said something this the second time he’s done this by the way in a couple days Brandon nmo is using the microphone as a bully pulpit we’ll explain a little bit later on but I got to give major props to a guy you don’t expect me to give major props to and that is Jeff mcneel it is very difficult as I’ve said many times to watch a game to focus on a game while we’re on the air and the finale of the series occurred while we were on the air so it is what it is so I’m glancing up as we’re breaking down Daniel Jones I’m looking I’m seeing what’s going on and obviously the bottom of the fifth in turned out to be such a huge inning in this game you go back to the second inning David Peterson worked out of major trouble this was before we actually signed on the air but David Peterson got himself in a major major trouble he gave up that leadoff double to Juan YZ gave up that infield hit to Luis Garcia where I thought Lindor was gonna throw him out of first base but Luis Garcia beat it and then he manages to strike out lip scum young and Abrams back to back to back that was a huge moment in this game early on in the second inning uh I would even say go to the third inning when David Peterson walked Lane Thomas he pulls off the old strike him out throw him out double play when he strikes out James Wood and then Lane Thomas is thrown out by Luis teren Luis teren saying hey I could throw guys out I could also catch shutouts the first catcher to catch a shutout but the bottom of the fifth inning was obviously the inning where the Mets finally scored runs and I saw Luis teren get his double and he has been a very productive backup catcher in those rare times he has to play and then I saw Harrison Bader pop up I missed the Tyrone Taylor stri out and I witnessed Jeff mcneel go to work and Jeff mcneel’s walk his walk very simple thing but his walk changed the game because it allowed your dual MVP threats Francisco Lindor and Brandon nmo to have opportunities against McKenzie Gore so to do that against a tough Lefty to do that in a game in which let’s face it mcneel shouldn’t have played the only reason he was playing is apparently Jose glacius was under the weather was not feeling well needed an IV according to I think it was Steve gbbs who tweeted it so Jeff mcneel’s given kind of this respit to get this at bat and get this opportunity against the toughy in McKenzie Gore and I think his walk was pivotal it sets up Lindor to draw walk in which at least Brandon nmo felt they were pitching around Francisco and then Brandon Nimo comes through like he’s come through all year Brandon nimo’s clutch numbers and I think we talked about about this a few Ricos ago continue to be just ridiculous he has had a remarkably clutch season when you look at his numbers with two outs and runners in scoring position which this would qualify as when he comes up with bases low to two outs in the fifth inning runners in scoring position period late and close whatever metric you want to look at Brandon nmmo has been an absolute machine and then JD Martinez piles on after they knock out McKenzie Gore he even gets a hit against my guy Dylan floro who did not have his best game and that’s okay that’s okay because I would still take Dylan floro I would still look at this Washington Nationals team and say boy there are a lot of guys that could help the New York Mets specifically Dylan floro and specifically Jesse Winker I the only reason I don’t say Kyle finegan is just because I think he’s gonna cost more that not because I wouldn’t want him but because I think the ask on him would just be more expensive but they put up the five runs Alonzo comes through with a bay set JD Martinez comes through with a Baye set David Peterson gives you the shutdown sixth inning to get you through six and it was odd and maybe it’s because I was on the air I had a confidence I was not fearful that the Met Bullpen was going to completely implode and they did not uh Phil maton looked great in his met debut kudos to him Danny Young was very shaky and actually couldn’t even get the last out cuz he loaded up the basis so dead Nell Nunes had to come in but even when dead Nell Nunes came in and look ideally they wouldn’t have used him I think one of the negatives of you know going to dead nil Nunes is just you question the availability for Friday if they play on Friday there’s rain in the forecast but Nunes gets a big out gets that weak ground ball to second base and then Adam mavino look I think we’re all sick of Adam aino I think Adam mavino is not being DF simply because you need guys to kill out a roster so could there come a point in Late July if David Sterns is able to add two quality relief pitchers where Adam adino gets his Walking Papers absolutely that’s on the table but right now they don’t have anyone to replace him look they just called up Danny Young back I mean they’re not exactly littered with arms but I give Adam adino like a morsel of credit in that as bad as that ninth inning was as many pitches as he threw thre 27 pitches in that ninth inning he got the final out and completed this Odyssey of the Mets not being able to get a shut out and what I loved about this what I loved about this win was that there was a Killer Instinct there wasn’t a hey we won two games we won the series against the Nationals G goly we accomplished the RICO brona goal from a few days ago in which I laid out go five- one on this home stand two out of three against Washington sweep Colorado they went for the jugula and they did it with really good starting pitching they did it with clutch offense in the fifth inning every one of those five runs came with two outs they did it with quality grinded out at bats I mentioned mcneel and then Lindor and they win a baseball game they win a baseball game which Francisco Lindor did not have a hit and did not drive in a run but JD Martinez had three hits Pete Alonzo was hopefully getting hot he had two hits and the New York that’s not only sweep this series not only shut out a team for the first time not only get the two games above 500 for the first time since late April but they sit in a wild card spot and there is something very cool about that there is something very refreshing about that doesn’t mean they’re going to make the playoffs doesn’t mean it’s over there is a long long way to go including three more games to wrap up this home stand but really really good victory go back to the second game of this series the second game of this series was nerve-wracking because of the mistakes God bless you that Louis sevino mate and it was very very infuriating and it felt like a loss because when nmo hits the home run in the first thing which is great to see continues to be on a power surge and the Mets have a one- nothing lead and sevy gives up those two runs in which it’s on him for not backing up home and to do it twice in the same inning Ron Darling said it you don’t need me to lecture him is inexcusable I appreciated that Carlos Mendoza after the game essentially said the same stuff did not make excuses for Luis sevino because Luis srino has been in this league for a long time he’s a veteran he knows that you have to back up behind home plate but to me what made it I think worse was that in the fourth inning the very next inning the bottom of the fourth inning when Jose glacius comes through with that base hit behind in the count with two on and the Run does not score hit the ball too hard Vientos wasn’t going to score from second the ball gets past the catcher and Patrick Corbin the worst pitcher in all major league baseball was heads up enough heads up enough to know to back up the play saving the tying run and then of course Tyrone Taylor strikes out that just feel like the baseball Gods laughing at us here’s srino making the same mistake twice costing the New York Mets the lead it should have been 1-1 instead of two to1 and then in the following inning the meds get a big hit and can’t get the tying run home because the Washington National starting pitcher another veteran who’s been around a while knew where to be and I know that’s not a great kind of reasoning to think we were going to lose that game but I did think that I’m being honest with you Down 2 to one going into the sixth inning my thought was wow they usually own Patrick Corbin they haven’t really been able to do much against him really that opportunity in the fourth inning was their best opportunity but it feel like Poetic symmetry that sevy makes the mistakes and Corbin makes the right move but what I am learning is we cannot count out the Relentless New York Mets JD Martinez coming through with a base hit Pete Alonzo behind in the count coming through with a base hit and I’m going to do this on purpose because blame is deserved but credit is also deserved so Pete Alonzo got a really impressive one-two base hit to right field as you guys may recall and JD Martinez tried to go first to third it seemed like a very risky maneuver against the arm of Lane Thomas and I’m at home I did not go to this game as Lane Thomas is firing the throw to Third Base I am like oh my God he’s dead like JD is going to be thrown out trying to go first to third with nobody out like that is a baseball faux pop but the aggressiveness paid off because Lane Thomas’ throw was a little bit offline and Pete Alonzo to his credit was very heads up and actually made a great base running decision you guys are probably laughing because you’re like wait a second ba good base running decision you’re supposed to kill him no trust me I will kill him I’m getting there I’m just being fair I’m a fair guy or or Fanboy one or the other or maybe both so Pete Alonzo had a really good heads up Ace running play I didn’t love JD Martinez trying to go first to third I think he was very lucky that he got to Third Base but as Elane Thomas made that throw pet Alonzo was incredibly heads up to follow it and go to second base so once JD is safe the Mets have second and third nobody out if JD was thrown out there’d be a runner on second one out uh still still would suck but Alonzo was following enough and heads up enough that the Mets were going to have a runner and scoring position either way so Props to Pete Alonzo I don’t know if anybody forgot that play but that happened the problem is the problem is Mark Vientos was up next and hit a deep Fly ball to right field that I don’t know what the hell Pete was thinking of I mean Pete Alonzo was going back to tag up at second base I don’t know why he was doing that first of I never thought for a second the ball was going to be caught and then second of all you should probably be halfway it was inexcusable for Pete to not be able to score on a double off the wall so you see what I did there it’s it’s interesting I’m able to take two plays give him props on one and rip him for the other so Pete Alonzo had a bad base running play and a really really good base running play all within 45 seconds of each other now luckily it turned out not to matter luckily after Francisco Alvarez drew a walk and they got Patrick Corbin out of this game Jose glacius who continues to be insanely money like it doesn’t make sense how clutch he is comes through with the big two- run single so luckily the Alonzo FAA doesn’t bury them but yes he did make a mistake in terms of not being able to score from second on a double off the fence he needs to score on that play he should not have been tagging up but the Mets overcome it and I think that’s the beauty of that win on Wednesday that you have the base running mistakes you have the bad throw by Tyrone Taylor and the nonb backup from Luis srino you have Corbin doing the right thing by backing up the catcher on what turned out to be a throw that got past the catcher kebert Ruiz and yet despite all those mistakes the New York Met win six to2 and that’s cool I like that you have to clean up those mistakes those mistakes cannot continue to happen so Luis srino better cover home and Pete Alonzo better score from second on a double but it’s so much easier to deal with when you win we also saw Jake deckman and you know I had a conversation very briefly with a friend of mine on the Mets text chat that we have who was complaining about Jake dakman coming into this game in fact I I received a live as it was happening Rico email complaining about Jake dman coming into this game and fact I’ll read it to you aw writes there’s one out in the top of the seventh inning with a runner on second and Carlos Mendoza just brought in Jake dakman assuming Mendy’s not trying to lose the game can you explain what the hell he’s thinking deckman’s noncompetitive so I will explain to you what he’s thinking and I will offer a defense and I like the defenses when they ended up working out because obviously they did end up working out Jake demman got back-to-back strikeouts so Jake dman has an erra that coming into that performance was above five and Jake Dean is not a reliever that any of us trust but I’m gonna give you some stats about Jake Dean which is going to remind you that if he’s used correctly if he’s used strategically in the right way Jake Dean is a weapon Jake Dean this season I don’t care about last wasn’t on the Mets talking about this season against left-handers opposing batting average of 152 not bad right 152 and Ops of 496 you see the difference right-handers have hit eight home runs off him which is crazy he’s giv up eight home runs this season lefties have hit zero in fact he’s given up two extra base hits to left-handers all year long in 120 plate appearances Jake dakman is good in the right situation he’s good against lefties now we live in this world with the three batter minimum where it is much more difficult to position deckman in a spot where he is effective and I get it I don’t love Jake deckman either but I’m presenting where he can be effective and that’s how Mendy used him and that’s why it was a good move that’s why the move made complete sense because the Washington Nationals top three hitters and this is when Mendy went to him with one-on-one out in the seventh inning their leadoff hitter is CJ Abrams Lefty their second place hitter is James Wood Lefty by the way neither pinch hit candidates so those two guys are batting and then the next hitter is Jesse Winker who is a pinch hit candidate so when you go to deakmann in that situation you’re doing it in the perfect spot for him if he can get lefties out which he does at an incredibly good Pace that’s it he do have to face a writing if somebody gets on base unfortunately you’re probably gonna watch Jesse Winker get pinch hit for uh I would guess it’s Harold Ramirez that’s usually where they go seeing the Tendencies of the Nationals over the last couple of weeks and then yes you don’t have an ideal matchup so deckman if used properly against left-handers can be effective now I’m talking about this moment this game I’m not talking about his overall role because his overall role is a lot more complicated when it’s almost impossible to find him a situation like that you know lineups are so balanced around baseball now uh there are some teams that just don’t have a lot of left-handers so you lose what makes Dean effective but again this season this season with the New York Mets only season that matters for us as Met fans 152 batting average 496 Ops two extra base hits in 60 uh 120 plate appearances I think we would all admit those are really good numbers and that is why Jake Dean was used it is on Mendoza to find the right spots for him that happened to be the good spot for him Jose budo major credit to Jose budo I think he’s clearly going to now be a high leverage relief pitcher he comes in in the eighth inning in a game that was at the time 5-2 with a runner on second two out so definitely High leverage spot strikes out lane Thomas pitches a one two3 n inning actually ends up getting his first major league save but with Reed Garrett going down and luckily it’s not you know season ending for Reed but it’s certainly a couple of weeks and he’s been less than really effective recently I think Jose buo is right into that Circle of trust uh to me I only have three guys in the circle to trust right now Edwin Diaz dead Nell nun and Jose buo that’s it and I guess those special circumstances with Jake deakon when he faces the right Lefty those are the circumstances where I would put him in the circle of trust I’m not there with Phil mton uh but he’s gonna have an opportunity there’s no doubt about that and we’ll see if Phil mton can become a key reliever for this met team now let’s get to a couple of things let’s get to Jim Bowen can we get to Jim Bowen Jim Bowen got met F freaked out today or yesterday depending on when you’re listening Jim Bowen put out an article about what he’s hearing at the MLB trade deadline and it’s funny when articles come out very few people read them and I understand like we live in a society today where we don’t have a lot of time or maybe you don’t have a subscription to the athletic and so what ends up happening what’s that term called agit not agitators uh aggregators that’s the term there are aggregators that will just put out something from an article that’s going to get a lot of clicks so I got sent by numerous people the headline that said the Astros have had conversations with the Mets about Pete Alonzo and you see something like that without any context and your reaction is wow okay what the hell’s going on what are the conversations about are the Mets who are independent race right now think we’d agree with that are they going to trade Pete Alonzo you know I I’ve talked in the past here on the RICO and certainly on WF about maybe in this world where everybody thinks they’re in it you’re not going to get a lot of buy trades and a lot of sell trades you may get I’m gonna trade you this piece that can help you for that piece that helps me so I now realize I need to read this article wherever it came from I’m not just going to read a headline that says the Astros have had conversations about the Mets with Pete Alonzo but your brain starts to operate and my brain starts to say what could the Mets and the Astros do that would help each other out like the Astros aren’t going to trade the Mets Alex bregman uh the Astros aren’t trading the Mets Kyle Tucker I’m thinking about those bats uh okay the Astros have some pretty good relievers but am I trading Pete Alonzo for Brian Abu or Ryan Presley probably not so full context because again I’m sure a lot of people listening to the RICO aren’t subscribers to the athletic or don’t have the time to sit there read a whole article from Jim baten because he’s boring sometimes here’s what he wrote about with the Mets the Mets are only a half game out of a wild card spot which has essentially taken Pete Alonzo off the trade market so stop right there we get a headline that says the Astros and the Mets are talking about Pete Alonzo and then you read the article and it says the Mets are only a half came out of a wild card spot by the way that’s outdated they are now tied for a wild card spot which has essentially taken Pete Alonzo off the trade market okay he goes on and write however how however that word however it’s a dangerous word however they are keeping an open mind and might end up doing some buying and selling at the trade deadline if they find a trade that could really help them long term they’ll consider it but they also might just add a few pieces particularly a starting pitcher and relief pitcher to try to make the playoffs this year on Tuesday they acquired righty reliever Phil mton in a swap with the raise for cash or a player to be named later does anybody and this is the only reporting I’ve seen so far about Pete Alonzo with the trade deadline updated pet Alonzo at the trade deadline not a month ago like right now does that make anyone think the Mets are trading pet Alonzo like I just read it to you does that forget about what you want them to do we’ll get into that in a few minutes we’re just following the reporters now right does that sound like the Mets are trading Pete Alonzo it sounds as if the Mets are very unlikely to trade Pete Alonzo they’re very unlikely to do any kind of major selling unless they’re blown away but they’re likely to just try to make tweaks to add to this roster you know add a reliever add a starter I guess but add a reliever add two relievers and do it in a way that doesn’t impact your future and doesn’t you know involve the Met trading any significant prospects that’s what I take from that uh I’m also a believer in the Million dooll Man Teddy biasi philosophy which is everybody has a price so when I say the Mets or this team can’t trade a certain player I don’t really mean that you could trade anybody in the right deal in the right moment you could trade anybody but it doesn’t mean the right deal is going to be out there so let’s have this discussion let’s start off with the basics the Mets are tied for a wild card spot and there is less than two weeks to go or about I should say less than three weeks to go until the MLB trade deadline and there’s a bunch of days where they’re not going to play so the Mets are very very very unlikely to be five games out of a wild card spot when the trade deadline occurs I think we could agree with that even negative Dan would agree with that right like they may struggle they may come out of the break and surprise us by losing a few times to the Astro uh to the Marlins but they are likely to be in the mix come July 30th which is the day of the trade deine if they are in the mix which is the likeliest scenario should or would the New York Mets trade T players from their lineup which right now is the strength of the team would they trade Pete Alonzo it would take to me this is now my opinion it would take such a stupid hall for me to make that trade now I got emails from people that are going to argue with me on why the Mets should trade him at the trade deadline and I like I’m open-minded but I’m stupified that that would actually be an argument I understand the argument from the offseason didn’t agree with you but I understood it I understood the argument if the Mets were falling out of it may not agree with you but understand it it’s very tough to understand how in a penet race you would think this would make any sense he’s also like not having a great year which I think we all acknowledge I’m the first to acknowledge it if Pete Fanboy or or not he’s not having a great year so do we think his value is somehow incredibly High I don’t think it is so it’s not as if that fictitious trade the Million dooll Man Ted de biasi everybody got a priced trade would actually be out there so I think the whole thing is relatively unrealistic most unrealistic unless David Sterns is just going to Stone Cold stun Us by trading him before the deadline but I’m also trying to put the Hat on of hey forget the off season forget 500 home runs as a met forget the emotions I’m just talking baseball like I want the Mets to be a playoff team if I am a fan of any baseball team I want to make the playoffs because the lessons over the last few years is even if you aren’t the best team you can get hot at the right time and go on a run trading Pete Alonzo really diminishes your chances of being a playoff team you have to replace him and barring getting Major League Talon back which is unlikely but we’ll try to explore situations in which they do the likeliest replacement in the short term for Pete Alonzo is Brett batting like that’s the answer I was having this argument on the air slightly on WFAN and I I pushed back on some people and said if you trade Pete Alonzo for whatever Prospect you’re getting and again I’m not convinced it’s anything great who do you think is replacing him in the lineup and I think the logical answer is batty Brett batty would get called back up he would play Third Base and Mark Vientos would shift over to first base the return would have to be so high to make it worth taking a step back in a year in which you have a chance to make the playoffs I am not a crazy fan that is suggesting the med should go all in this year I have never suggested that I cannot see a scenario in which I do suggest that where they’re taking top 100 prospects and moving it for short-term deals there is no Pete Crow Armstrong jav buyas deal that I would want to make if anything I would want to be as not based on the results but I would want to be similar to 2022 in which any move I make I don’t want to move top prospects and by the way there may be some met friends from the other side that say come on make the playoffs you never know you say it all the time I don’t want to be stupid but I also wouldn’t want want to be selling guys off and I look at JD Martinez and Pete Alonzo specifically as two guys who are free agents at the end of the year that if I trade them I am so greatly diminishing my chances of competing this year and I don’t believe the return on either guy is big enough to make me consider it obviously is there a Godfather kind of deal of prospects that would make you say geeez man I I know it’s going to diminish your playoff chances but that’s such a good deal it’s not out there like I I doubt it would be out there but anyhow let’s um let’s hear from the other side I always like to hear from the other side uh zman freed writes he wrote a couple of emails about this he writes Evan and Pete I’ve been following along with this Alonzo discussion recently on WF and here on the Reco and I would like to add my thoughts and maybe you’ll see my point of view on why I’d be willing to trade him this season and why I’m dead set against resigning him long term before we continue I know it’s tough to separate the two things I have not at least here today on the RICO and certainly on the fan the last few days I’m not engaging in offseason talks about Pete Alonzo because it’s the season they’re in a wild card race and I’m not overly concerned about contract negotiations come November we’ll get there we have opinions on it we’ll have great arguments on it but to me it’s not my number one concern now if your push back is but you’re going to lose him as a free agent that’s the off seon like right now they’re their Mets are shockingly to some in a position where they can make the playoffs and when you’re in a position to make the playoffs are you overthinking free agents at the end of the year are you overthinking Luis srino and Shawn maniah who does have an option and JD Martinez Too like if you’re trading Pete Alonzo why wouldn’t you be trading JD Martinez but anyhow let’s hear the rest of his I’m just saying that I am not overthinking the offseason I’m thinking about right now I’m thinking about this more in a shortterm point on why it doesn’t make sense anyhow first of all to be clear I would not trade Pete for any prospects no matter how high the ranking I think we are done stockpiling prospects it’s time to win and Alonzo helps you win right now but I would trade him for a Top Flight reliever I don’t know let’s say Tampa wants a power bat in their lineup and Pete is from Tampa and they offer Pete Fairbanks just a thought no idea if this is fair value or even make sense for Tampa I don’t think the type of player Pete is fits with this current configuration of the offense which relies upon consistency of its hitters taking good appats continuing rallies and so on Pete while capable of going on monstrous power surges is none of that he’s not consistent he doesn’t take good app BS and he’s a rally killer most of the time when he’s not on one of his hot streaks which has become more infrequent over the past couple of years and I just don’t think he fits the offense and I’m saying this as a fan who fell in love with Pete and would argue with Yankee fans that he’s better than judge or at least as good and valuable obviously that was before judge turned into Barry Bonds and when he was getting hurt every year now as far as not ronning him the reasoning for that is purely based on what our resources are and how to use them I’m not going to read the rest to this I will at a later date I will bookmark it but I want to stick with the first part because again I don’t want to break down the offseason like we should do that when we’re 10 games out of the playoff spot and I know that there’s a link between well but he’s a free agent at the end of the year I get it but I don’t get it because JD Martinez is a free agent at the end of the year so if your reasoning for trading him is well he’s a free agent at the end of the year well there’s a lot of guys on this team that are free agents at the end of the year do you want to trade all of them I do not like at all as bad as this met B penz and it’s bad I think it is the ultimate rob peter to Paya to trade your cleanup hitter for a relief pitcher forget the Fairbanks idea because for a myriad of reasons that’s not realistic I don’t think it is because Tampa Bay is a 500 team are they really going for it they’re not resigning Pete Alonzo despite him being from Florida I don’t think so I don’t think that one’s fair but I get your point you want to trade you want to trade a guy who it’s 40 home runs a season and look I know he’s not on paced 40 this season but he is a perennial 40 home run season guy for a relief picture come on I can’t get behind that so in one breath I respect it hey I’m done with the prospects I’m done with the prospects I’m done with it but you’re willing to do it for a relief pitcher disagree Jose writes guys I was listening to a cut from the fan and I would like to reason with you about Pete Alonzo for a second I did have this argument on WFA and you could download the evident Tiki podcast and here I would say about the four o’clock hour after the Met secured the victory talked a little bit about the game and then morphed into this Pete Alonzo discussion based on the reporting that he’s talking or the Astros and Mets are talking anyhow remove your Mets fandom hat for a second okay hat has been removed the Mets have about 12 to 14 players on the major league roster and I that will or could be free agents Alonzo has not been an impactful player this year on wins and losses the numbers and the itest show that let’s be real take the hat off if you were running this team what would be best for business Triple H voice what would be best for business trading an expiring asset for more assets sets is the way to go doesn’t mean you can’t bring him back but the Mets can continue to run this without him place fenos at first base aunia at second and either a glacius or batty at third and move on we get better defensively and offensively when it comes to Quality at bats Pete most of the time this season is an automatic over for four love the show and be well I think what you’re doing Jose with all due respect is you are way too cocky in this met offense without petalon now we rarely see them without Pete Alonzo because to Pete’s credit he always plays but yes he’s at a disappointing season but even in a disappointing season he’s at 18 home runs he has an Ops near 800 even in a disappointing season and your attitude is eh replace him with Louis San lunia who’s got a 670 Ops at Triple A ah replace him with Brett batty who in 600 plate appearances has not proven he’s a capable major league baseball player right so this is your argument this is the argument of we’ll be fine without him let’s get some assets for him well what assets are you talking about you know I understand that the Met compensatory pick if they lose Pete in free agency is like a fourth round pick it’s not that high because of all the money that they’ve spent you still get to pick a young player David Sterns the king of uh you know Talent evaluation gets to pick a young player who could very well turn into a top 100 Prospect but you would rather diminish your chances to win this year and get back what like what kind of Hall are you getting back I do not get it can I throw something out there sure I think I have the trade to make all right and you can laugh it off it’s totally fine but the Mets are in a playoff spot and we have a solution at first base we do Mark vantos can go to first base b b get cold up something we’ve been talking about for a while they need help in the Outfield what if another expiring contract gets traded for Pete Alonzo a Pete Alonzo Jeff mcneel combo for glabber Tores and W shut shut your mouth over there it’s listen I’m just saying it helps both teams it does not help both the Yankees need a first base and we need an outfielder the New York Yankees are not trading Juan stto but it was a nice try it was a nice attempt I I do I do have a guy though who has offered specific names which I always appreciate because I think it makes it easier you know even a few emails ago the Pete Fairbanks one okay like that’s a name and the idea of trading Pete Alonzo for a topend relief pitcher hey would you do that my opinion is no clearly there’s a lot of Med fans that say yes and I know why a lot of Med fans are so open at trading Pete they’re open at trading Pete because he has not had a great year sometimes it’s as simple as that he is not and I’m not denying that and is there a level of concern that Pete has now had two years in a row so far still has a second half I I acknowledge that but two years in a row in which he’s showing a level of decline I will raise my hand and say yeah it is concerned it is um look at his career and I see a guy that for three consecutive years has shown some level of Decline and so if you’re going to have to give him a six or sevene deal which again story for the off season would there be more concern from my voice today than there was five months ago yeah I’m honest gonna lie to you but in terms of the right now the right now it makes no sense to trade in terms of hey you’re in a pen race and I don’t think we’ve entered this world the world of the NBA where you can be a playoff team like a bottom playoff team and still make selloff trades because your attitude is well we’re not beating Boston anyway so let’s get a first round pick for so and so this is not the NBA it’s not um the Mets just like anybody else can get the third wild card spot and go on a Deep Run they absolutely can I can’t argue the Mets are better than the Phillies but I can damn well argue that they can beat him in a best of Five series because anybody can beat him in a best of Five series but I want to give you this one Brian Smith wrote a really wellth thought out email and he made uh some good rips of callers to WFAN he said hey guys great win the Mets are hot your callers failed to properly challenge you Evan on the Pete Alonzo trade discussion this afternoon so allow me to supplement their arguments to trade Pete Alonzo I like it I was pretty much slapping them around earlier on Thursday so Brian said okay they didn’t do a good enough job I got to challenge you better and he’s about to you ready number one the New York Mets are not signing Pete Alonzo long term and you know it if they’re foolishly unable to trade him and they’re relegated to offering him the qualifying offer at the end of the season they only get a fourth round compensatory pick because of their ex excessive spending so to your premise of getting the 195th best Prospect back from Milwaukee who actually is a less likely trade partner after signing ree Hoskins this off season has to be compared to the value of a lowly fourth round pick all right let me respond to this first part the Mets aren’t signing him long term and I know that here’s what I would uh would say to that I think the chances of Pete Alonzo getting a long-term contract from the New York Mets have diminished this season I will absolutely grant you that for the reasons I just laid out the Mets offered him what was it seven years 160 I think was the report that Joel Sherman had last summer that deal is not on the table anymore and there’s a reason the reason is he isn’t performing it’s the opposite of Aaron judge like he he just hasn’t performed at a high enough level So when you say the Mets aren’t signing him long term they’re not signing him to that long term but the market is going to dictate if the Mets resign him I can’t tell you they’re not going to resign him what if there’s no market for Pete Alonzo what if because Christian Walker is a free agent he ends up being the bell of everybody’s ball and Pete ends up having to settle on a short-term deal so if the phrasing is long-term no way Kno how I think it’s less likely I think the Mets could sign him to a long-term deal if the money comes down I just think it’s unlikely that that would happen with Scott Boris that’s number one so I can’t say I know for sure they’re not going to bring him back I think there are circumstances where they do but I think he has hurt himself with the season that he’s had the qualifying offer being a fourth round pick versus whatever Prospect they get back it’s that it’s not that hear me out on this it’s not that the fourth round pick is better than whatever Prospect you get back it’s that you get the fourth round pick and you keep him with a chance to win now and also keep the chances alive that maybe he accepts the qualifying offer because Scott Boris does his research and says there’s no market for my player once you trade him and you get back this prospect that I will give you maybe better than the fourth round pick you select but you have no idea I have no idea you’ve eliminated those two options a competing this year because he does make your team better it’s absolute crap to think that they are better after they trade him I’m sorry I I Brett BTY Luis and aun is not an upgrade so it’s not simply the players better it’s that is it worth losing him considering I can get a prospect back for Pete if I’m if I lose him as a free agent and it’s a fourth round pick Brian then R here’s a specific deal I would happily take Joey lero and Brian Abu plus from Houston in some Alonzo srino deal both can help now and in the future we know that click Brown are willing to do business with Cohen after last year so we saw a little bit of Joey L profo when the Mets played the Astros left-hand hitter plays a little first Pace plays The Outfield has hit a little bit in the major leagues I don’t know what the Mets or the Astros project him to be is that a fourth outfielder is it a quality piece who can play a little first base little Outfield like I will give you he appears to be a major league baseball player a major league ready baseball player but what’s the highend on low peredo now Brian Abu is Big that is big if you can get in a Bru or Ryan Presley from the Houston Astros you’ve greatly improved your Bullpen but I would be more interested in a deal like that centered around just Luis srino where you can improve your Bullpen and the Astros have a deep Bullpen when you look at Scott’s had a good year um he’s the kid he’s the guy who bounc around Major League baseballs from South Africa bet saw him briefly in the Houston series Brian Abu Ryan Presley Josh haer like they have a very deep Bullpen but they’re very short on starting pitching so they are the perfect American League team that kind of fits the starting pitcher for Bullpen hell I would not happily take L profo and Brian [ __ ] for Pete Alonzo and Luis srino I I appreciate the names I appreciate that you’re getting guys that will instantly be on the major league roster it’s not enough in my opinion uh number three Brian writes Pete’s a slugger and he doesn’t slug anymore as you pointed out to your little positive acolyte as I pointed out to my positive acolyte is he talking about lugie he’s my positive acolyte you guys look at the offensive numbers while ignoring the defense that’s why war is so vital Pete is only worth 1.1 fangraphs War making him the 12th best first baseman by the metric okay it it annoys me because I know people think I’m crazy and this is where I will sound like a fanboy and that’s fine I am being honest with you I am swearing to the baseball Gods I have this scorebook here which is like my proof that I am a geek who watches every Met game you know that except for the weekday afternoon games because we’re on the air I do not see I just don’t see how Pete Alonzo sucks defensively at first base I can see how he’s average I can see how he’s not Keith Hernandez I can see how he’s not perfect but you guys continue to site metrics and I’m responding with that’s cool I’m looking at it and I don’t see it I don’t see him being as bad as everybody claims he wants to be all right lastly finally what if Pete Alonzo wants to be traded if traded mid-season he isn’t subjugated to the qualifying offer which could enhance his negotiating value with other teams in the off season this is incredibly pertinent given Christian Walker’s out performance this season as C and Pete will be competing with each other this offseason regardless I love this team and it’s fantastic we have a season I’m so excited to see what Sterns does at the deadline I wrote this knowing it’s highly unlikely to be either read nor acknowledged that said keep up the great work well Brian you may not understand this some in the audience may I acknowledge you it was a very good email I appreciate it even if we disagree uh let me address the Pete wants to be traded part I have no idea I I I can’t sit here here and tell you he does or he doesn’t I would venture to say that Pete and I say this in the most loving way I really do Pete comes across like a meathead like he just wants to play baseball he wants to hit home runs he wants to be in the Home Run Derby he wants to go home he wants to hit and I do think he wants to win I do not think Pete Alonzo is the leader of that locker room I never thought that I don’t think anyone does I don’t think Pete Alonzo is AA Amenson I don’t think pet Alonzo is thinking about the logistics of his contract I’m sure he’s thinking about hey there’s a lot of money on the line but I don’t think he’s thinking you know gly that qualifying offer is going to bring down my value I hope they trade me I don’t think that thought goes through his head I think it goes through Scott boris’s head so do you think Scott Boris wants Pete to be moved maybe I could see that because it behooves Scott Boris it makes his job easier to have that qualifying offer completely eliminated from him but I don’t necessarily think he wants to be traded now keep this in mind too and I think this is really really important and it’s something I I will bring up with Tiki I don’t know if I did today but I certainly will at some point the locker room and while I may not be a big locker room chemistry kind of guy I do believe that locker rooms can be ruined by inaction and by dumb traits so a couple of days ago and I did this on the show I didn’t do this here on the Reco so I’ll explain it real quick Brandon nmo made a comment about how they basically need Bullpen help and we talked about it on the air and I said that sounds like a guy a leader of this team talking to the front office and saying hey we need Bullpen help and I cited how a couple years ago I think it was Seattle had a locker room that was really annoyed after they were inactive at the trade deadline and so I asked Tiki even though it’s football it’s a different sport couldn’t this affect a locker room if a locker room says hey we are good and we are just a few pieces away we really believe in oursel we’ve earned this wouldn’t it kind of hurt if they didn’t add relief pitching especially when Brandon immo publicly said hey we need Bullpen help hopefully we can get some help now they went out and got an arm and that’s good Brandon nmo took it up a notch Brandon nmo at the end of Thursday’s game did an on the- field interview with Steve gbbs and it is very long it’s like three minutes long but I cut the one part that Pete Hoffman is going to play for you because I don’t know how often I’ve ever heard a player be as direct with a front office while standing on the field like Brandon nmo Brandon nmo grabed the microphone and said hey Steve Cohen hey David Sterns I have a message for you you have this one ready hall for the people to hear you know we we want to be buyers at the end of this month and we we think that we’ve got a great team here so you know I I I think it’s a good spot to be in and you know let’s just keep playing good baseball we want to be buyers at the end of the month so the Mets win a game they sweep the Washington Nationals they’re in a playoff spot and one of the captains of the team comes out into a microphone and says we want to be buyers so for Brian Smith and for Jose and for zman those are just the three prot trading Pete Alonzo emailers I ask you three a direct question and I ask everyone else a direct question who would be open to moving Pete Alonzo how do you think the lock room room’s gonna react to that how do you think how do you think and don’t give me this well Brandon nmo is gonna be thrilled because he’s pissed at Alonzo from the All-Star Game Brandon nmo sat there or stood there and said we want to be buyers you imagine they trade their cleanup hitter so you can sit here and play Fantasy Baseball all day and talk about his F war and talk about the assets and talk about the prospects and by the way you don’t have to care what Brandon emmo thinks you don’t have to care what it does to the locker room because ultimately if you think it’s best for business and it’s best for the future you can go do it and that’s fine but it’s not the best for 2024 and if you think the Mets could trade Pete Alonzo or JD Martinez the pictures are a little bit different and I think that’s more complicated if you think they could just trade him and Brandon nmo and Francisco Lindor who are paying for everybody’s dinner on these road trips and everybody’s having a good time sing OMG you think they’re all gonna play Ring Around the Rosie after the cleanup hitters traded that’s a tough one that would be a very very tough one to pull off and uh I’m not sure they’ll be able to so keep that in mind when we talk about this with that said I don’t think it’s going to happen and I think that the Mets will probably follow the Strategic Buy strategy that we’ve talked about where they are not going to give up top prospects nor should they and they try to add to this team because right now this team is good and when you look around the national league and you kind of factor who’s good who’s not good who’s in the race who’s not in the race and you look at San Diego and you look at St Louis and you look at Arizona and you look at Pittsburgh um the Mets are right there and the Mets are probably just a little bit better and even the Atlanta Braves are not fully Out Of Reach which is crazy to think about because that’s I don’t want to say fantasy because I think the fantasy is like when you use the word fantasy you think World Series so the amazing accomplishment I guess would be getting that first wild card spot where you can host postseason games in that wild card series but as of right now it’s not about that it is about just continuing to win and make the postseason by the way on the minor league front Drew Gilbert’s back in Action so that’s great one of the many prospects that have had start and stop Seasons obviously jet Williams has been out for a while so Drew Gilbert is on his way back Luis San heluna continues to play Short Stop center field second base down to the miners and kodai S is making his third Rehab start on Sunday so maybe one more after that or maybe we get kodai Sanga after the All-Star break in Miami maybe he makes his debut against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium wouldn’t that be fun but either way they are going to go with a six-man rotation upon his return and that’s tough to complain about because when you look at the current met rotation who would you take out David Peterson is earning his stripes right now credit to him sha maniah pitched well Jose canan’s pitched well Luis severino’s been up and down but was good in his last start and obviously Christian Scott so I think that is a no-brainer decision to go six-man rotation especially since the way we saw the way it handled Christian Scott when he pitched on regular rest so you’re damn right so that’s what we have coming up the next few days and obviously the Colorado series you mentioned something that the Mets won’t be trading prospects I have a question because I keep on thinking back to a lot of these guys they got last year Prospect wise aunia Gilbert Clifford A B A bunch of a bunch of prospects came from Billy Epler if David Sterns came in and had his people evaluate some of these prospects that maybe on paper look better than what they really are you don’t think that they maybe Swap and TR trade a couple guys for someone that has not not a short-term deal but that someone has a little bit more control who well for example like I mean aun is not here right now is is it be I I keep look at his numbers they look okay but supposedly he’s not doing no but who do you want to trade your top 100 prospects for like what kind of player like for like Luis Roberts out there I know that some I think Luis Robert’s very different because he’s young and he’s under team control I think when I talk about not trading prospects it’s more for what their need is which is Bullpen help and while the Mets need Bullpen help trading a top prospect for any kind of Bullpen arm like even Mason Miller I was thinking about that like here’s a young guy who’s under team control so you would think oh that would be worth it they’re relievers man like they I just I don’t know I know the Edwin Diaz thing has for the most part worked out but I think that’s the exception so I think it’s more yeah I’m not saying that they could never trade their prospects I mean you could trade your prospects for other prospects that you just like more or fit better you can trade your prospects for like you said a controllable outfielder who’s on a contract but for what they need right now which I think for the most part is Bullpen help you cannot trade top prospects for Bullpen help in a year in which you’re competing for one of the Wild Card spots and you’re not a 100 win team like if you were in a position like your Baltimore or like your Cleveland I guess or Philadelphia it’s a little bit different because I think in your mind it’s hey we’re a reliever away from winning a World Series and even though anybody can go on a run I don’t think you make a deal with big-time prospects for a relief pitcher in a year in which well you never know anything can happen so it’s not that they can’t trade those guys it’s that under these circumstances it wouldn’t make a lot of sense what about a jazz chisolm because that that’s the other name that keeps on getting thrown out there a ton honestly like I think Jazz chis makes a lot of sense for the Yankees I’ve talked about that on the show I don’t know for the Mets because right now when you look at some of their near ready Major League prospects they have a lot of young athletic guys who can play the middle infield and play The Outfield so am I trading one of those guys for jazz Chism probably not so that would not excite me I honestly I don’t even say Jessie Winker anymore because he’s a met killer like I literally say it because he’s actually a good DJ Stewart can’t be in the major leagues anymore we all agree so what is DJ Stewart he’s a left-handed hitting outfielder with a great eye hello that’s Jesse Winker except he’s good so Winker is a good fit and could end up playing a lot in right field because God knows what’s going on with Starling Marte and obviously Bullpen up I’m telling you the Washington Nationals hopefully Mike Rizo can get over his uh hatred of trading with nl’s teams but they have a lot of interest options Hunter Harvey Dylan floro I don’t know about Kyle finnean because the cost is going to be High um and you know what the Mets could do it’s probably a terrible idea but I’m thinking out loud I I’ve always thought this I thought this two years ago with Juan sto the weapon of taking back Patrick Corbin’s contract the weapon of Hey listen we’ll take back that monstrosity but just give us a lot of goods I think Corbin’s how many years left does Patrick Corbin have on his contract I think he three years I think he’s got two to three years left that’s listen listen if we don’t if we don’t have to pay for Verlander we could do it we could do it all here are the details on Patrick Corbin’s contract oh wow wait a second I’m actually stunned by this Patrick Corbin’s in the last year of his contract I did not know that I’m actually very surprised by that I wonder if they said that on the broadcast the other day I I didn’t hear it but maybe they did yeah Patrick Corbin is due $25 million this season and then as a free agent in 2025 there is some deferral money that’s owed to him so yeah that doesn’t work as much because you know I I guess picking up the last part of that $25 million I would totally do that like hey Washington we’re gonna pay all and by the way that’s not crazy like if you paid the last what’s the prorated amount 8 million something of that nature and it’s just this season to get Patrick Corbin and to take that money you get get Dylan floro and Jesse Winker sign me up that’s a done deal I I I stick Corbin in Siberia or I just use him out of the bullpen like hey I could use relievers why the hell not I’ve used enough other starting pitchers as relievers I stick Corbin in my Bullpen I got Dylan Flora from the right side I got Jesse Winker oh my God that I think that’s my fantasy deal my fantasy realistic trade realistic trade is Winker and floro like that would pump me up and maybe you can use the power of Corbin’s contract see you you settle too easy dude I feel like we can get something spicier I listen I know that sometimes the big move is not the best move but I I like to think that we could do something a little bit a little bit better than that all I’ll get them to throw in CJ Abrams he’ll be our backup middle infielder I’m just kidding I mean he’s supposedly the he’s better than uh than Francisco Lor according to Bleacher Report today oh stop getting concerned by Dopey ratings yeah we got to calm down about that do we have do we have time for two voicemails two quick voicemails yes we haven’t listened to voicemails in a while that’s all my fault so let’s take a listen a couple of voicemails hit all here we go gentlemen Hoff Evan Hey listen great idea here for get the Met Bullpen help how about sometime before Friday morning Kyle finnean just switches jerseys okay Washington’s gonna sell they made it clear I say we get Kyle Finnegan he won’t be too expensive but he probably won’t be too cheap maybe uh dakman and adino if you you could if you eat the rest of their contract for the remainder of the year you get some low midlevel Prospect but I like Kyle finegan because I don’t think you’ll have to back up the truck and I think he’ll help and I’m sure he’d love to be you know more than twice as close to the wild card as where they are love your show keep on rocking all the way out here in this Pacific time zone we’re it’s 100 degrees right now I’m going to finish like I always do get finan that’s the new one and let’s let’s let’s let’s let’s go match see that’s what that’s the throw in because we’re taking Corbin’s contract then they’ll give us Kyle finnean uh Kyle finnean has this year and he has next year and then he’s a free agent just so we know so it’s one more year of Team control and then he’s a free agent and he’s 32 years old which is is weird I almost feel like he’s younger but the Washington Nationals if Mike Rizzo can get over hating the NL East is a great Target they have a lot of pieces that can fit this team he mentions Kyle Finnegan I think it will cost more than that that’s part of why I haven’t used his name as much as a Dylan floral but either way the Nationals are a great Target because they’ve got some veteran pieces that could be very useful all right here’s the second one here we go gentlemen thrilled with this series sweep of the Washington Nationals this offense is is great it’s probably the best offense we’ve had since I can remember um uh doesn’t matter if it’s Lefty righty if it’s an ace on the mound this offense seems to hit them and I that makes me excited because they can hit anybody and I know there’s issues in the bullpen obviously that’s that’s clear and the rotation can use uh an upgrade too so hopefully could I Sega comes back and he could be a guy that down the stretch become an Ace and you know this team could be dangerous we could be real dangerous and I know maybe I’m getting ahead of myself and it’s it’s Washington it’s not like we’re playing a great great team but I’m feeling this offense can really really hit and uh you know if everybody’s clicking on all Cinders I mean Alonzo hasn’t had a big year he hasn’t had that long stretch yet and I’m confident he will and you know with vantos and Alvarez hitting the way they are and Harrison Bader having the year he’s having uh this team is is really really good offensively um like I said we could improve the pitching I think n the right direction we definitely need another arm in a bullpen Adam anito stinks I’m tired of seeing him he needs to be DFA today I’m sorry he was awful made a seven nothing lead he he he got Diaz got up because Ado stin so bad God he’s awful but beakman I don’t think’s the right answer either but we we can improve on that you know we could bring in some guys help but I I’m just excited this offense is really good They Carried this team I think the starting pitching is pitching really well as well um but hopefully we get you know s back and he’s our Ace and he carries this team down a stretch and into the playoffs that’d be ideal but I’m excited yeah it’s tough not to be excited I mean they’re scoring seven runs every single night they responded to the little Funk that they had after the OMG concert if you wanted to use that as a line of demarcation and they go out and they win three in a row against the Nationals never throw it back because of the opponent that that’s one thing I’ve learned like it doesn’t matter that it was just the Washington Nationals because they’re about to face the Colorado Rockies and I’d be thrilled if they could win all three games against them but it’s not easy they’re a major league team then they play four games against the Miami Marlins they’re a bad team too I’d be if they can win all four I don’t expect that but you never throwback wins against any team bad team good team indifferent team because at the end of the day they all count the same and right now at this moment the New York Mets are a playoff team so let’s cherish that and let’s beat the crap out of the Colorado Rockies the weather does not look good for Friday’s game hopefully they’ll play but three games this weekend against Colorado and then it’s off to the all-star break we will give you Rico’s during the All-Star break we are compiling our list our rankings of the best wins of the first half of the season and the worst losses of the first half of the Season that’ll be coming up during the All-Star break but we do appreciate you listening and downloading and interacting whether it’s that voicemail line the number is 725 222 8699 or sending us an email the RICO gmail.com the Ricco gmail.com we appreciate you listening episode 301 of Rico brona we hope you enjoyed this episode of the Ric brona podcast it’s amazing isn’t it make sure you download it now to keep it on you at all times [Music]

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