Ryan Ripken talks Orioles BIG offseason moves + Toddfather's reaction to Pete Alonso leaving the Mets

00:00:02
Speaker 1: Hey, Ryan Ripkin is here with us right now. We're talking Orioles. You can follow him at Ryan Ripkins Show on Twitter and then also just type that right into YouTube and you can check out his show all about baseball and the Baltimore Orioles, which are the hot topic right now. Ryan, Good to see you here. I saw you briefly at the Winter Meetings. In the scramble. I was like half sprinting over to get to the set in time. I'm always that guy. But anyway, good to see you here. And a lot's changed since I saw you. Pete Alonzo added to the mix your thoughts.

00:00:31
Speaker 2: Yeah, of course that happens when I'm leaving. I left Tuesday night and I was hoping there'd be a little bit of action. It was good to see you, though, Scott and you were hustling. But I got to say in Baltimore, for the Baltimore fan base, they've been waiting for a move to happen, right And I've gotten a lot of texts from people saying this is the most fun off season. All of a sudden, it wasn't fun maybe twelve hours prior whenever it was, or twenty four hours when Kyle Schwarber signed back to the Phillies. Everyone goes here. Here, the O's are again. They're not landing the big guy, even though we all felt that Kyle schwarber best fit was back with the Phillies. But it's proved that the Orioles are going for it. They're in it, and they needed a guy that posts up. They need a guy that you can plug in no concerns. And when they lost Santon Dare the year prior, that was their leading RBI offensive guy the past three seasons. And now you're getting Pete Alonzo that's averaging forty jacks one hundred and twenty ribbies over that timeframe. So I love it, and I think the bigger indication is whether it works out for five years or not. You know, time will tell, but it's showing the fan base and future free agents that Baltimore is going to continue to be aggressive and I believe they're far from done here as we continue on the rest of this offseason.

00:01:51
Speaker 3: Obviously, we want them to get pitching, That's that's obvious, But does this signing of a position player, which they went out and got Tyler and Neil last year and felt like that wasn't great use of their money, and then Ramon Lariano, Now you have a marquee free agent. Is there any indication that this could make a Gunner Henderson and Adlie Rutchman a one of these young stars maybe sign an extension, like, Hey, why am I gonna sign an extension? None of my buddies are gonna be here. But now you have a power bat that's going to hit in front of or behind one of those guys that they haven't extended to this point.

00:02:29
Speaker 4: Yeah.

00:02:29
Speaker 2: I think one of the underlying things is that, uh, Alonzo's a Boris guy, and so the Orioles, if we want to do the math here, they got quite a few Boris guys on that team, Jackson Holliday, Jordan Westburg, Gunner Henderson. Now Gunner's gonna it's gonna cost the Os maybe like a full Uh. They're gonna have to bring a bank to get Gunner, And I don't know what that's gonna look like for him, but I do think it sends a message that one the Orioles have said, Hey, we're willing to Scott and all of your clients. We want you to be in Baltimore. We want our guys to be in Baltimore, and I think that is the messaging here, you know, the crazy thing here for the Orioles. If you look at the deals that have been done over time, this is the second largest contract in Orioles history. Chris Davis was the big one. Then now it's Pete Alonzo and then there's a huge discrepancy between Pete Alonzo's contract to the third highest. So yeah, I think that this is going to open up the doors at the end of the day. You know, I was talking with a few people about the Kyle Schwarber dial just for one second, is when you're looking at organizations of why you want to sign somewhere or extend, do you see the vision moving forward and do you see that the team is going to put the resources in to help players accomplish what they want to do. Because what do players want? They want to secure their future with a contract and they want to go win. And so when you looked at the teams in on Shoreber, if they were saying, you know, the Phillies, the Pirates, the Reds, the Orioles. Of those two tames, only the Phillies had proven that they were gonna go out there and spend now Baltimore saying hey, hey, we're willing to do this. Now we got the core Westy Gunner Jackson, we want you here long term. And I do think that that's going to open up the avenue for them moving into twenty twenty six. But I know they still got to add a couple pieces here at free agency and then we'll look towards next year to see what happens.

00:04:26
Speaker 4: Yeah, talking about that, I mean, now it's basically on the pitching, Like who who do you think they trade for or trade out of to get a starting pitcher? I mean, Adlely Mountcastle, Like there's there's a bunch of guys that they can do it for. They need some starting pitching.

00:04:42
Speaker 2: They certainly do, so, I mean, if I uh, I don't think it's rocket science to say that the Oils have a few guys that can play first base this year and Pete Alonzo's gonna be taking up the majority of those reps, because why the dude just plays every single day. So if that's gonna be the case and you're looking at who else you have, Sam Beasaio is gonna get at bats at first in dh Adley Rutchman, I don't think is going anywhere. I want to put that the rest they need Adlee and Adley bounce back. I believe in that. But then you're looking at Mayo and Mountcastle and you know, Maunie when I was in the organization playing Mounted was the best bat I saw at the time coming through just pure bat to ball skills. But he's lost some confidence and he's had trouble staying healthy, and he's also doesn't have the years of control that teams want. Then there's Kobe Mayo, and Kobe I think I think he's gonna hit. I think he's gonna figure it out, but he's gonna have to get it bats. So I think of the trade pieces, Mayo has more value when it comes to team control. So you heard the rumors about you know, Edward Cabrera, Mackenzie Gore, guys that have team control and have that upside to be let's just say they're a third on a staff, but have an upside to be a one. Not gonna go that far to say as a one, but they have the upside too. You know, uh, Kobe and a couple guys I could see happening, But the reality is something has to give, and I think what michaelis and the front office realized that last year they wanted to see, with the crop of players that they had that they had developed, who was going to be a part of their plan and who was going to take that next step. And the reality is, you know, they might have gotten some of those questions answered and others might be undefined, but they can't wait any longer. I think that's the bigger part they need to win. Look at the rest of the Al East, it's a gauntlet. Toronto's window is wide open. The Red Sox and Yankees, they don't rebuild, they retool. And then the Rays are the team that they're just gonna be a pain in the butt because they just they play the game hard and they find ways to stay competitive. So yeah, it's to me they're gonna trade one of those guys mount of or Mao wouldn't be surprised with either, and then they're gonna going out and get a They're gonna go out and sign a guy. I see the tweet up there. Yeah, I truly believe like the ale least and this is why I love the Winter right this division. If you are for real, you gotta go out there and spend you got to go out there and make moves. So I for sure think Baltimore is at least going to make two more moves here before we get towards spring training. I mean two big moves to be uh specific.

00:07:24
Speaker 3: Does Pete need to be what they were going after Kyle Schwarber for Kyle Schwarber, Oh, this amazing leader. He leads this clubhouse, He leads young guys. That's why the Reds wanted them. Does Pete need to be that in this clubhouse of young guys that are now kind of not that young in experience, Like you said, it's time to go now. But so does he need to be that? Or does he just need to be forty homers on a team that only had somebody that hit seventeen was the highest.

00:07:53
Speaker 4: Yeah.

00:07:53
Speaker 2: I mean, well, the first thing is he has to He's going to take the brunt of it right, He's expected to post up the ballpark. The ball is gonna leave the ballpark early and often with him. And he's your RBI guy. And I've talked to a lot of people about this. I know some people say, hey, RBI is that it's a byproduct of where you are miss me with that you're an RBI guy or you aren't. And Pete Alonzo is an RBI guy. And what I said last year for the Orioles going into the season, because they had question marks on the pitching side, but they had this young talent and the motto that I had was they go as far as their young core takes them. And they struggled. And now the pitching was tough, but the offense was supposed to be their strength and it wasn't. So the addition of Pete Alonzo what it really does take the pressure off these guys that develop still at the big league level. There's gonna be stress and pressure, but you don't have to be the guy anymore. I mean, right now, Pete Alonzo is gonna be one of those guys, Taylor Ward is gonna be one of those guys, and then Gunner Henderson can slot in be that third for you. Oh and by the way, Jordan Wesper, he looks ready to go. So I think the addition more than anything, it just takes the pressure off of the guys having to prove something while they're still trying to figure out how to be a big leaguer. I think that. That's something that people underestimate is that you might have all the talent in the world, but when you have expectations that are on you and not just expectations like they're expecting you to be the reason why the Orioles win. Bring in Pete Alonzo, bringing Taylor Ward and then Gunner and Westy, Well, then let those other guys like Cowser and Jackson and Adley get back on track. And this lineup can be really dangerous because of that.

00:09:42
Speaker 3: All right, there's what if they're losing games eight to seven because the rest of this offseason, like you just said, the American League East is gunning after some pitching, the American League East is gunning after the rest. You can't just continue to add to your position players if they don't add to the pitchers. You said they're gonna add to the starting rotation. But you know, I get that in five dollars, and I got five dollars at the end of the off season. If it doesn't happen.

00:10:11
Speaker 2: Well, I hear you. I see what you're trying to spend here. But I can say pretty confidently you know they're not gonna get burned twice. I would be shocked. And what I mean by that is last year they were trying to figure some things out. And I think one part that people are missing when new ownership comes in. Some of it it's hitting the ground running. Others is let's assess what we have and go from there. With what happened last year, it's stung so deeply and it was deep rooted in Baltimore. Everything that Michael I said on his wish list has happened so far except starting Pitcher. They will make another move. It's not not a maybe, it's it's a guarantee. They will go get another guy. I think that they get too for all the reasons that they mentioned. And this is even for the long term. It we're talking about building momentum Baltimore, even with the down here last year. If we look in that division, they make a couple moves Baltimore just like Toronto, Boston, New York, they can win the AL East, and not only win the East, they could go to the World Series. So I think the urgency is there. Uh And I think the best lesson is learning from the past. And I know that michaelas in the front office, took a lot of heat last year, but one thing I want people to understand is there was a reflection period and going I I didn't do enough. I messed up, and his actions now have to speak louder. And so far his actions are showing he's learned a lot. But when the deal's done, people feel a lot better. But I I know moves coming, and I'm just curious on uh if I'm right on who it's.

00:11:47
Speaker 4: Going to be.

00:11:50
Speaker 1: Uh uh, well, tod father, I mean, you do your thing, but I also I mean your Todd father, So can you little can you bry a prediction out of him?

00:11:58
Speaker 4: That?

00:11:58
Speaker 2: That's what?

00:11:59
Speaker 4: That was my next question I was gonna say, I say this al least is stacked. If people are going left and right, who's gonna be the next team to get after? You know a Bellinger? You know Bregman, But yeah, I don't know. Give me, give me something you think that might happen unless you're trying to keep it hidden for Christmas?

00:12:17
Speaker 5: No, you say about for all for all teams here or just like give me your thoughts first, and then what do you think about the last who's gonna be the next big gun going to a big team?

00:12:28
Speaker 2: Just from understanding it? Toronto looks like they're gonna land. They're either bringing back Bow in my opinion, or Tucker right because you know, talking to Mark Shapiro, president of operations, I remember last year I talked to him to beginning spring or the season, and he said, we're a big market. I think people don't recognize that, and they've been in on guys. And then who's the first big pitcher to sign. It's Dylan Ce to Toronto. I would be shocked if if they don't land Baschett or Tucker. But then I look at the they need someone with Judge, they need someone and and Bellies. I believe that I'm hearing the years in dispute. If they really like him and he's versatile, you make it work and and it's hardball right now, but that that seems like a good fit there. And then there's Boston where Bregman makes the most sense because it's comfortability. Could the trademarket happen? You hear Martell, You hear names thrown out there. The Red Sox like to be strategical, but they need a big bat like I. I would like to say that those guys go where I expect them to. But if We're going off of what we just talked about and looking at the construction of the Al East and if the Red Sox, the Yankees, the Blue Jays, and Orioles want to be for real, you got to keep up. And those are the big names. The one I'm really curious about, though, of the free agents, is what's gonna happen with Ran Ervaldez. You know, talk about a guy that can that can tip the tip how people feel. And I know with everything that happened in Houston and down the stretch there, you know, is that a worry? Is that a concern? If you're not concerned and he goes out and does this thing, He's the top arm still available. So I'm really curious. But that's that's my gut. I think that a lot of the big names stay in the Al East. I'd be shocked if they don't, because the Yankees, we've seen it. Aaron Judge is not human, but he needs help, so yeah, he needs help, and and the and the Yankees already got an unbelievable pitching staff. So we'll see and maybe off off times, I can, uh, we can talk more about some moves, but I'm I'm expecting things to get to get a buzz in here in the next few days.

00:14:41
Speaker 3: You you you were kind of leading in and we I mean, I gotta I gotta ask when you heard Robert Suarez signed, were you fearful that your possible prediction was a Suarez that wasn't going to the Orioles. Is that your is that your prediction of who you think the Orioles are gonna sign?

00:14:58
Speaker 2: And Ranger Suarez? Oh? Man, Well, I will say this. I if we're looking at value and you're looking at you know, just opportunity, what you get out of someone risk reward. I thought Ranger Suarez to Baltimore was as as great of an opportunity because here's the reason. When you look at the other guys, like if you're looking at Zach Allen, you're looking at Framber Valdez, you're looking at any of those other pitchers, they probably got better overall stuff. Ranger Suarez knows how to pitch, and you know, it's how to pitch in big games, and for the Orioles you need consistency overall. So I just thought it was a best fit. But then you wonder, you know, if Mackenzie Gore becomes available, do the Nats and Orioles make the first trade in the in the history between the two teams, perhaps, but I just for the Orioles, what I think they need is dependability and consistency. The two guys that fit that mold right now are either Framburg or Ranger, and Ranger is going to be the cheap So I just think it makes a lot of sense with Ranger, Suarez and whoever it is, having Kyle bradish back. I think people don't realize how good bradish is. He was my one teammate where I watched him and said, thank goodness, I never have to face you in the minors. And then Trevor Rodgers, if he's seventy percent of what he was factored in with one of these guys, Baltimore oriol Staff is going to look really good.

00:16:27
Speaker 1: Okay, I know what Kratz wants to do. He wants to spend Baltimore's money, right, But I'm going to try and be the middleman here and be realistic. For my final question, I'm with you. One starter from the market two I don't think is very realistic, Like are they going to get Ranger Suarez and Framber Baldez or tatsu am I right, I think one of those guys goes to Baltimore, but Ryan, for me, I still need another ideally top end guy, a one, two or three, a guy that can pitch in a playoff game for them. And I do think you mentioned Gore, that's a good name. I still think they might be able to pry away someone like Freddy Peralta for the right package. So who do you think contains the most value that they can afford to lose?

00:17:08
Speaker 2: Is it Kobe Mayo?

00:17:09
Speaker 1: Is his value still high enough that they can swing a deal for one year Freddy? And maybe you know, an a ball or more of a high ceiling, low level prospect. They've done business like that before, right, they did Joey Ortiz and d L. Hall and I think a pick a compick for Corbyn Burns and that actually worked out really well for them. I know they didn't win a playoff ya in that year, but it wasn't Corbin's fault.

00:17:34
Speaker 2: For sure. Yeah, Burns are shoving, you know in the playoffs. I think the Orioles pitching staff will out three runs in that game and the Royals walked out that series win. That's a sensitive spot. So we'll move past that. But overall overall, Freddy peralta great pitcher, you know. But I think for the Orioles, if you trade for Freddy you want to find a way to extend him. This time Corbyn go which you know Corbyn want to go to Arizona. Players have their own priorities and it made sense. But I think for the Orioles, if you get Peralta, you'd have to extend him. Guys with team control, that seems more of the option. But when you're saying about who's the most valuable, I think it depends on how you view Kobe Mayo, because he's big league ready, he needs it bets, So Kobe right now would probably have the most value. And then the Orioles just got a ton of pitching prospects over the last trade deadline here, right, so they could package some things together depending on the team that they're talking to. So the Brewers Kobe Mayo could be enticing and it doesn't have to take as much. But if you're talking about the Gnats, for instance, for Gore, hypothetically, you know they're in a little bit more of a rebuild, so if they do that, they might want some of those young, appealing arms that are maybe a year or two away but still want to headline with a big bet. So I think answer for me, Kobe Mayo still has the most value, but it just to be determined on what they do. I think mount Castle. While I think I believe Mountie can bounce back in the right situation, he's not gonna be under contract for much longer. So yeah, I think that's the need. But Peralta, only if you extend him. I think elsewhere would make more sense for Baltimore, at least at least for what what I've mentioned so far. Right, good stuff.

00:19:22
Speaker 1: I love your insight, and you know how the baseball world works. Whenever you're away or something else is going on in life, that's when everything will happen. It's always how it works, dude. The amount of times like we're on air for hours and hours and then it's Saturday night at eleven thirty pm and an agent smartly connects with an owner who's having a cocktail or two and they get the job done.

00:19:41
Speaker 2: Just the way it works. Scott about to be on a plane in about a couple hours. Here, I there will be a move while I'm in the air. And I'm going this is fantastic with that. Hey, the baseball world don't sleep, but it's fun. But I appreciate you guys and Scott. We'll have more time to catch up next time when we're not running around in the future. But I appreciate you guys. Thank you. Yeah, you too.

00:20:05
Speaker 1: And one more plug at the back end here for everyone. Ryan does this all the time, so check it out on YouTube on his socials Ryan Rifkin Show, super easy to find. He knows what he's talking about here with the super dialed in. Thanks again, Ryan, and save travels.

00:20:18
Speaker 2: Thanks guys, appreciate it.

00:20:26
Speaker 1: Todd Father Pete Alonso earned his nickname the Polar Bear by being friends with you. Let's just be real about it.

00:20:34
Speaker 4: You gave him the nickname.

00:20:35
Speaker 1: And now he's in Baltimore. It's a little bit warmer down in Baltimore compared to New York, a little bit tougher for a polar Bear, but maybe easier for a polar Bear with less of the New York heat and a team that was super disappointing. He goes to a different team in Baltimore that was disappointing this past season. But hey, you were on top of the Orioles as much as anyone. Todd Father, you were like, this is not a playoff team. You said that a year ago. What do you think about Pete's departure? Take me through all of this, since you know Pete quite well.

00:21:03
Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean, well, I'm first going to say here. Once the news broke, I had to text my son, he's a monster Mets fan, and I said, Blake, I said, I'm very sorry your favorite player just got traded. And he said, what was the zach words? Are fake news? Fake news, fake news? And I said, no, Bud, I said he's gone and he's going to the Orioles. And didn't get a text back. So I told my wife, I said, please text Blake and make sure he's okay. So he's doing better now. The I got so much, so many messages and calls about it. I had. I had a baseball practice that night. People were talking about it left and right. We need a new team, this and that. The fans. The fans aren't happy. I know that. I know that. I know the fans are disgusted with Stearns and trying to figure out what the heck is their next move. I don't know what their next move is. But I am very happy for Peter Alonzo. I couldn't be more happier for the guy because of what he went through the last couple of years. He deserved more in New York. He did, he did. He deserved a big contract there. They should have gave it to him. He was in absolute stud He's always been. He's always been dominant. He's always had a lot of home runs. He's he's been around the block, a hundred RBI guy each and every year. He does stuff around the city. He's very he does a lot of charity work. He helps out kids with special needs. He you know, gives money to you know, the nine to eleven victims. He's done so much for that city and for him, you know, not to get a big contract and stay there for the rest of his career, I think that's pretty sad. But at the same time, knowing Pete, I'm very excited for him. He's got a new venture going on. It's very hard to stay with one team your whole life nowadays, especially the way it is. You know, he can't have all you know, Kim all be Joey Vados of the world. It's so hard to do, and for him to go there, he can actually breathe a little bit and enjoy the game of baseball and not worry about anything else. Happy for him, man, good for him.

00:23:00
Speaker 1: Do you feel like he was offended by the Mets, not just this go round, but even last go round where the Mets are like, me, we don't think you're going to get much in the market. We have a certain value on you. And so it ends up being that essentially one year contract. It was the longer deal with the opt out and he ops out, of course, and then this time around they didn't make an offer, and there's more to the story there. It's not like they wouldn't have brought him back, but they were only bringing him back at a certain price. They clearly looked at him and said, hey, at your age, your skill set, your best skill set, by far, is your power. Nobody is disputing that he's not the fastest dude in town. There's disputes about his defensive value, but he's not an elite defender. I think that's fair to say either. So they're like, we don't see this working out well where we're just relying on pop. And it's funny that Ryan Ripkin brought up Chris Davis, who had that one tool and eventually it didn't work out for him. There are others like Kyle Schwarber, who's two years older than Pete, who lives and dies off walks and pop right. He doesn't even played defense, and it's working out pretty damn well for him. I tend to think that eventually Pete will transition off of first during the length of this contract and still hold that value as a guy who can hit forty homers. They don't have Mount Baltimore there anymore, so it's a little bit easier right to be able to tackle Baltimore. It's actually a better hitters park in Baltimore than it is in New York. I think those numbers can tick up anyway. Back to what I said, do you think he's offended? I mean, he's the all time home run leader for the Mets and they didn't really want him back.

00:24:32
Speaker 4: Yeah, I you know my opinion, only I think he was. I think he was a little pissed off, and rightfully so. Rightfully so you see all these guys getting these big contracts. He deserved it just as much as anybody else did. I mean, and people always go back to the defense. I don't think he's even not you people go by numbers and he can't get to this ball. But I don't think he's that bad of a defender either. I think he's worked his butt off. I think, if I'm not mistaken, he was one of the best first basement I'm picking balls out of the dirt the last couple of years. The guy works his butt off at first base, and this Baltimore oriol team should be a static because he's gonna work his rear end off, he's gonna get after it, and he's gonna absolutely mash balls to every part of that park and he's not gonna care what the Mets do. It's not that term now, it's not oh yeah, I'm doing this because of the Mets. Now he's over with, he got his deal, he got everything he needs now and he can just chill out. You know, New York is a tough place to play out and he took it by storm and did excellent there. And to not bring a guy like him back, there's something else going on, and I you know, we might never hear about it, but there's something else that why wouldn't you sign this guy to a big deal last year. I just I still don't understand it. So that's something that they're gonna have to live with, and I don't honestly, I don't think they care. I really don't think they care that they don't have them. They've said it before. If it doesn't work out like this, good riddance pretty much, and I think that's a shame Todd for me.

00:25:59
Speaker 1: The Mets were like, hey, this was a disaster result. We did not make the playoffs. We need to switch things up. My question is why these guys. You're best reliever by far, who's been consistently reliable. You're consistently reliable power hitter, and Nimo's a consistently reliable guy who gets on base. And I know the defense isn't supreme, the arm's not great, the range is fine. So for me, I'm just looking at these guys like, why them? Just because they're hitting free agency? And I guess there was a taker for Brandon Nimo. What are your thoughts on the way that they're trying to change the complexion of the team. I'm all for making some changes to the lineup. It's why I'm critical of even a team like the Phillies Todd Father. I just think when you have super disappointing results in the playoffs back to back years, I want to just see a little difference in the lineup. And maybe I'm wrong there. I'm looking at this more as a fan. You know all these guys personally, like, were these the guys to switch it up with or should they be looking in other directions in terms of who they were going to let loose?

00:27:00
Speaker 4: And I'm confused too. You you signed Wan Soto to this monster deal. All in, We're all in, and now Nemo, Edwin Diaz and I know the couple were free agents. I get it, but that should have been your top priority getting those guys back in my like you don't. There's not that many guys out there that have the ability of what Pee Alonso can do to a baseball game. Edwin Diaz one of the best closers that we've seen in our generation. He's filthy, so hard to hit. Yeah, he's been through his bumps, but guess what, that guy's been very very good. Brandon Neimo, the guy is solid. He's solid as all can be. Those are three top guys that any team would take in a heartbeat, and just because you didn't make the playoffs, you had this catastrop fall. Okay, catastrophic excuse me fall. Listen, it happens. That's baseball, your professional baseball players. You're playing against professional teams that are very good at what they do. Come on, man, I just don't get it. That should have been your top priority training. Brandon Nemo was weird. I didn't understand that one at all. And I think Jeff McNeil's on the is the next one that's gonna go. Love Jeff. I mean he's he's closely. He's a three hundred hitter. He led the league one year in UH batting average. All right, now you're not all in. Now, what are you gonna do? What is the next step for the Mets? There's not that many out there? And guess what those guys got to say, you know what, I'll come there, But who would want to go there? And now, knowing what they do, I don't know.

00:28:24
Speaker 1: Yeah, Yeah, it's a good point, and I'm with you. I think McNeil's gonna go at least for now, the way that they're looking at first base. We'll throw this out here from Tim Healy. He joined us on Yesterday Show. You can check out Yesterday Show for more on Tim Healey stucks because he covered this team for a long time and then he just recently switched over to the Red Sox peat. But he said the Mets always seemed lukewarm at best about bringing back Pete this offseason. One first base solution they floated internally a platoon of Jeff McNeil, who can play everywhere, and free agent Paul Goldschmidt. Kratz, Mets fans did not take kindly to that backup plan. And Steve Cohen is already on the record, and I give him credit. He always comes out there and says something or tweets something, and he's like, off season is young, my friends. I think they're going to do a lot. I think the plan for them was, We're just going to do a lot differently. We're still going to spend a lot, it's just going to look different. So in your mind, Kratz, what does that look like? I do like that he came out right. Owner comes out and says, we're not just shedding players and shedding salary, We're just switching things up. So stay tuned for me. I think that means they signed someone like a Tatsuya am I, a friend Rivaldez. Maybe they're going after Ranger Suarez, who has pitched really well within the division. And then on the offensive side, I mean they need an outfielder. Are they in play for Cody Bellinger? Is that the right fit? Could they be in play for Alex Bregman to handle third base? I know that they like Beatty, but obviously Alex Bregman is a better player and can make a different type of impact internally with a team. Akamoto I really like. I think he's going to be a really good player in the big So help me fill in the blanks here. Knowing that the team is clearly will to spend.

00:30:01
Speaker 3: I'm as confused as you are, as confused as Mets fans are. And my thing is, I don't really care how you replace Pete Alonzo because it's not gonna happen. You can't replace forty home runs. You cannot replace somebody that will give you forty home runs. Devin Williams in his best year, hasn't had didn't have as many saves as what Edwin Diaz had last year, so they can't try to play catch up in that sense. But what they can do is understand they still have Francisco Indoor. I think Mark Ventos is an above average hitter, maybe not at third base. Maybe a combination of Ventos at first baby at third gives them a nice, youthful corner infields that grow together, guys with a lot of potential. But ultimately, I think the lineup, and I know this might be crazy saying you lost Pete Alonzo, the lineup might be fine. The lineup still might be fine. They're gonna add another big I think they're still gonna add another big bat. That's where I'm not worried about. If they brought Diaz back, if they brought Pete Alonzo back, it wouldn't matter. If they don't do something about the starting pitching. The reason they're not in the playoffs, if they're changing everything up, is because they weren't in the playoffs. The reason that happened is because they did not get starting pitching last year. Nolan McClain is not the answer. I mean, he's gonna be a great Bigley pitcher. He is not enough. He is not Oh saved all of our issues. Those are pieces McClain, Peterson. I think seam and Iya can give you can give you something. I know it faded at the end, but you still have him there. He had a good run in twenty four. It has to start with starting pitching. I don't care about replacing those other guys. It has to start with starting pitching, and it has to be big, and it has to be multiple starting pitchers.

00:32:00
Speaker 1: What do you think about Wilson Contreras to fill in for Pete Alnto.

00:32:04
Speaker 2: I love it.

00:32:06
Speaker 1: I said before the show Todd Father Decratz that it was like at the tip of my tongue and the only thing that held me back was something that's kind of dumb. You know, Wilson Contreras can be explosive on the field and kind of get into it with UMP's teams whatever. I don't really care. I don't know why I thought about that where it's like, oh, the Mets need a new mix. Maybe Wilson Contreras brings fire. I mean, he seems like a perfect fit. He had a really good offensive year. Dude knows how to get on base, He's got pop, and he learned first base really well. He grated out as one of the better first basemen defensively in his first year on the job. We spoke to Ali Marmole about it, and he said he took to the position so well. They had Alec Burlison as a backup option, and they were like, we were worried just in case it doesn't work out, and we got it mostly dh Wilson. They didn't need to he took to it. Well, you're shaking your head. He doesn't cost a lot. I'm not saying this is the only solution. I'm just saying that is a much more attractive solution to me than Paul Goldschmidt and Jeff McNeil handling a platoon at first. Wilson Contreras is a legit bat. It's not Pete Pop. But that's a guy who's going to be a well above average offensive player and he should be a better defender.

00:33:19
Speaker 4: Yeah, I agree with you on that. I just think New York is a different beast. I'm not saying he couldn't handle it, but that one time he makes any little mistake and they get on him in the news or you know, the press after the game presses him about a certain situation. I don't know. It's just not for everybody. I'm not saying it wouldn't be a good fit. But I just feel like, you know, seeing you know he is, he's a fireball brother, and you don't know what he's gonna do. I'm not saying he couldn't do good, but he's not putting up the numbers like Peter Alonzo does. So that's where it's hard for me to say yes to that. But I also agree with what you're saying. It would it would be a fixture for sure.

00:34:00
Speaker 3: Yeah, it'd be better than McNeil and Paul Goldschmidt. I one hundred percent agree with that, and I love to put this to rest from Orioles fans for Mets fans, Oh Pete stinks at first base. First baseman's outs above average defensive war is all dictated on your positioning the Mets play and what's called a predominant shift for the first basement, so he is going as far to his right as possible and never takes a step to his right. Guys in history who have the better defensive metrics at first base are allowed to shift because all your outs above average is just dictated on where you start and where the ball is hit. If you never go one direction, then you're never going to get points that direction, and you're going to be dinged because there's not many outs above average that you can get at first base. So Pete is not an awful first baseman. He's average. Wilson is athletic. And the only issue I have is I don't think the Mets said, you know what, we're not going to sign Pete because we can get Wilson Contreras. I have an issue with the with the next step to replace Pete. If they already had their answer out there, you don't know that you're getting Wilson, or maybe they did know they would be getting Wilson Contreres, but it hasn't happened yet, so you can't say, ah, you know what, we'll just find it. Well, we'll figure it out. Pete had a one fifty ops plus and Wilson had a one twenty seven.

00:35:37
Speaker 2: That's totally fine.

00:35:38
Speaker 3: You know, I think you need a plan when you're talking about a player like Pete to replace in your lineup.

00:35:45
Speaker 1: Okay, I'm just saying I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up being Contreras or Akamoto for first and both of them should please the David Stearns concern of defense and age. Whether you guys agree with it or not, I'm just presenting what clearly is in the mind of the decision maker in the front office. And then it could still be a Bellinger, a bragman who knows, maybe even a Kyle Tucker. They could sneak in and say, hey, you know what, we really like this guy. He fits more of the mold of what David Sterns likes all around player age fits what they're looking for. Let's just have a billion and a half dollar outfield.

00:36:25
Speaker 4: Well, yeah, they got to want to go there too, And I think the only one of the biggest factors is money. If they're going to put the big money on the table, yeah they'll they'll go there. But it's if it's between a couple other teams with all the craziness going on over there. I just don't I don't see it in my opinion.

00:36:43
Speaker 3: Starting pitching, that's it. I don't care if you get Bellinger. Bellinger can play center field for him, fills that hole. He can play first base, fills that hole. Starting pitching does not matter. You need starting pitching or else, it's a failed off season no matter who you get. Rid of or who you bring in.

00:37:01
Speaker 1: They're going to get starting pitching. That's the one part that I'm not worried about. You don't think they're going to end up with one of the guys that they can just buy on the free agent market. Starting pitching wise, you don't think they're going to end up with one of the four to five available.

00:37:16
Speaker 3: Who's to say you had?

00:37:18
Speaker 2: You have to prove it.

00:37:19
Speaker 3: You can't just be like, oh, yeah, you know what tiger stripes are always you know, he's definitely going to go to a five year deal, a seven year deal for a starting pitcher that's out there. He hasn't he hasn't even come.

00:37:31
Speaker 1: From You're right, You're right. I haven't thought of it, even though I talk about it all the time.

00:37:35
Speaker 4: Yeah, you're right.

00:37:38
Speaker 1: Craft. How many years is he going to go? That's the internal battle. How many years is he going to go on a starter? And if not, you have to trade for one, and then it's going to cost just prospect capital. You know what's funny is they need to do what Baltimore does. They I think they need to. Everyone's going to get two starters they feel good about in the rotation, but they do they do need to. Yeah, it's just it's a team that has a lot of work to do. The indication is be patient, but they're going to do a lot. So let's see, it's only December eleventh. Some people don't realize the Winter meetings have no deadline. The teams do not give a.

00:38:17
Speaker 2: Crap I.

00:38:19
Speaker 1: Meet, what are you calling?

00:38:22
Speaker 4: Just like in poker, I call the Mets. Call whatever you're gonna do. Let's see what you got mm hmm.

00:38:28
Speaker 1: I'm with you.

00:38:29
Speaker 2: They got plenty of time.

00:38:31
Speaker 4: Gotta want to go there, got don't want to go there. That's that's my biggest problem. You gotta want to go to those places.