The Cosmopolitan resort and on line casino is an fascinating backdrop given the fees leveled at Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz that have been made public Sunday in an unsealed indictment. Federal prosecutors charged them with fraud, conspiracy and bribery stemming from an alleged playing scheme, and it’ll little doubt be a subject of debate this week in Sin Metropolis. Baseball executives fielding questions on playing whereas slot machines ding and playing cards are dealt behind them feels a little bit on-the-nose.
Nothing to see right here, people.
Contemplating it’s the GM conferences and never the busier winter conferences, there could not really be a lot to see. These conferences are extra of a precursor to what’s to return as soon as the recent range season heats up.
Brian Cashman as soon as known as them a “necessary evil.” Two years in the past, the longtime Yankees normal supervisor produced one of many extra memorable moments on the GM conferences when he angrily defended his membership from criticism of their supposed overuse of analytics.
He’ll must face extra scrutiny this season because the Yankees as soon as once more exited the postseason far sooner than anticipated, one 12 months after profitable the American League pennant. Nevertheless it’s his counterpart in Queens, president of baseball operations David Stearns, that could possibly be going through essentially the most intense scrutiny.
Stearns has not spoken publicly for the reason that finish of the common season. Since then, the Mets parted methods with a lot of the on-field Main League workers, clearing the best way for a brand new group that shall be aiding supervisor Carlos Mendoza in 2026, his third season on the helm. The workers isn’t but set, with a pitching coach and first base coach nonetheless wanted.
Two of the Mets’ most vital gamers, first baseman Pete Alonso and nearer Edwin Diaz, lately grew to become free brokers. They’re each anticipated to command high-dollar offers in the marketplace. Whereas the Mets, underneath proprietor Steve Cohen, have been identified for top payrolls and large contracts, Stearns has been cautious and strategic in how he has allotted cash each winter. The reclamation undertaking pitching workers may need labored in 2024, however it didn’t in 2025.
Now, followers are desirous to see if Stearns will spend huge on pitching, and spend huge to retain Alonso, a homegrown hero who has hit extra house runs than some other participant in membership historical past. Stearns usually doesn’t give a lot away by way of plans for particular person gamers, preferring as an alternative to speak extra concerning the normal path of his staff.
The roster actually has some holes between departing free brokers and underperforming gamers. Upgrading the beginning pitching is essential this winter, however with 4 gifted younger right-handed starters coming via the pipeline, plus cash dedicated to left-hander Sean Manaea and transformed starter Clay Holmes subsequent season, it’s not but clear how a lot pitching the Mets need to add, and what sort of pitchers they need to add.
Final 12 months, the Mets relied closely on ground-ball pitchers, pondering that they had the infield protection essential to take action. It didn’t work out as deliberate. The infield state of affairs remains to be a large number, with out clear roles for Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, Luisangel Acuña or Ronny Mauricio.
Heart area stays a query as properly, and there simply so occurs to be a productive heart fielder on the free agent market who’s coming off a powerful season throughout city within the Bronx. Cody Bellinger could be a match for the Mets, however he’s additionally nonetheless a match for the Yankees. His departure has introduced extra uncertainty to an already unsure outfield state of affairs. Jasson Dominguez didn’t precisely look comfy in left area final season. Trent Grisham, who hit a career-high 34 house runs and posted a career-best .810 OPS final season was prolonged a qualifying provide.
Kyle Tucker stays a reputation linked to the Yankees, although it’s not clear how robust that connection is. A proper fielder, Tucker is coming off of a down season with the Chicago Cubs, however he was dominant for the Houston Astros earlier than going to Chicago. Tucker obtained a qualifying provide, however the draft decide compensation that comes with signing gamers who rejected qualifying gives will solely scare away a number of suitors. Excessive-payroll groups just like the Yankees and Dodgers are anticipated to be within the combine.
For the Mets, Tucker isn’t precisely a clear-cut match. Whereas he will surely assist exchange offensive manufacturing misplaced by Alonso, proper area belongs to Juan Soto for the foreseeable future, so Tucker must transfer to left area, a spot presently occupied by Brandon Nimmo. The Mets have used Nimmo in heart area up to now and the outfielder labored extraordinarily laborious to show himself into a powerful heart fielder, posting 6 outs above common in 2022. Nimmo’s protection has declined over the previous couple of seasons although, so transferring him to heart could be a chance.
This can be a week the place executives usually maintain their playing cards near their vests, however by the tip, we’ll know extra about how the Mets and Yankees plan to proceed this winter.
