Your 2026 New York Mets: It might look like [the Mets] are taking a step back, but [they’re] not.
“Every season that you lose a lot of games, it might look like you are taking a step back, but we’re not because there’s other things happening around it or behind it that are propelling us forward.” -Francisco Lindor [MLB]
Do you think the ‘bad times’ and this season has changed Francisco ‘Mr. Smile’ Lindor’s vibe…
“When I signed up here, it was to be in the good times and bad times and to win.” -Francisco Lindor [MLB]
…of course not…
“We have the right guys. Stearns is the right guy. That is No. 1. We have one of the best owners in sports history, because [Cohen] is going to go always with the energy that needs to be put into the team. When you are in a big market there is not such a thing as rebuilding. There is a little bit of transition, that is it. You can’t afford to rebuild in big markets, so I think we are working toward the right place. We have not taken a step backwards.” -Francisco Lindor [MLB]
…so to follow Lindor’s optimistic outlook on life, it’s Silver Linings Week…
The Mets have pitchers on the roster; some that are young, some that are old.
“You have the players you want to build around. You have the young pitching staff, along with a couple of pitchers that are a little bit older. -Francisco Lindor [MLB]
Also, it is accurate that Marcus Semien literally has two more years of his contract.
“You have got Marcus [Semien], who has still got a couple of years.” -Francisco Lindor [MLB]
The Mets do still have a Minor League system and Bo Bichette.
“You have Bo [Bichette, who can opt out after this season] — it’s going to be up to him if he stays. You have the young players, and then you look at the Minor League system, and you feel that we got better [at the Trade Deadline], so I believe that we are working forward.” -Francisco Lindor [MLB]
You know what, winter is long and full of no Mets baseball so enjoy getting to watch Nolan McLean starts…
“It was fairly executed [McLean said of the home run pitch.] I wasn’t trying to really punch him by any means for the strikeout there, but I would have liked it slightly more elevated. He made a good swing on a pitch that was pretty close to the outside corner, so I tip my cap.” -Nolan McLean [MLB]
…Carson Benge’s arm [Per Baseball Savant: 96th percentile arm value and 98th percentile arm strength]…
“I’ve always been blessed with an above-average arm, and it really helped that I also pitched in college to build up more arm strength. Having a strong arm makes a difference, and I think it’s really helped me this season to help get adjusted to the big leagues.” -Carson Benge [MLB]
…having new names to care about while drinking coffee and reading the Mets Daily Prospect Report…
“I just want to thank the organization for the opportunity. It’s been great with the guys. I’ve been getting along with everybody and I just feel like this right here is just a great opportunity.” -Jefferson Rojas [MLB] [I have to note that this quote cited that the quote was via “translator/Binghamton catcher” Chris Suero which makes me want to root for Suero to make it to the bigs one day even more]
…basically, enjoy what’s left of Hot Girl Bat Summer…
“The boys are swinging some hot bats, the bullpen is doing their thing, and the starters are always going to do their thing. It’s been fun, we’re rallying around each other, and we’ve just been playing some really good ball.” -Brett Baty [SNY]
…and, sure, enjoy the excitement of Luis Robert Jr…uh, um… being here.
“[Unable to sell Luis Robert Jr., president of baseball operations David Stearns spoke on Deadline day about] the excitement of still having him here for the next two months of the season.” -Anthony DiComo [MLB]
Let’s hear from Interim Manager Andy Green for some more Silver Linings
/Bandit Heller voice/ I agree, he has been doing great.
“[McLean’s] doing great. Eighty-five pitches, six innings and one run and one hit? That’s a good day’s work for him in August in his first year.” -Interim Manager Andy Green [MLB]
He will keep grinding.
“Some pitches in the heart of the plate have gotten hit pretty hard. [Dedniel Núñez] is going to be fine. The opportunity to get out there and continue to pitch, he’s going to get that. When we look forward to next year, he’s going to be a big part of what we do. He has good stuff. He has kind of paid for middle-middle mistakes right now. He will keep grinding and get it right.” -Interim Manager Andy Green [New York Post]
That was not his best stuff but he did continue to grind.
“It was a gritty performance for [Zac Thornton]. That was not his best stuff. It wasn’t his best strikes and he continued to grind.” -Interim Manager Andy Green [New York Post]
This game does not define him.
“I appreciate what [Robert Stock] has done to get here, and this game does not define him. It’s a rough outing, and it happens to pitchers all across the game all the time. He has talent. He earned a right to a second start.” -Interim Manager Andy Green [New York Post]
He does know he’s a part of the organization and that he’s going to be out there consistently, but not…umm…not that consistently but…uhh… yeah, that opportunity to play consistently, there is a ton of talent…umm…there. [It wasn’t Andy’s best quote and he didn’t quite stick the landing but he continued to grind and this quote DOES NOT define him]
“[Luis Robert Jr.] knows he’s a part of our organization. He knows he’s going to be out there consistently — not quite every day, but he’s going to be out there really consistently. And that opportunity to play consistently, there’s a ton of talent there.” -Interim Manager Andy Green [MLB]
/Count Rugen voice/ Get some rest, if you haven’t got your health, you haven’t got anything.
“When it comes to the numbers, sometimes you can’t really control all of that. But I think if I can stay healthy, the rest will take care of itself.” -Luis Robert Jr. [MLB]
“There has been good and bad from this whole process. I think when you have been out as long as I was it kind of takes a little longer to find your rhythm, to kind of find that execution. I haven’t been executing my fastballs as well as I wanted to.” -Dedniel Núñez [New York Post]
“It’s a great environment for myself. First of all, my body feels great. I’m able to go out and perform even in short innings, regardless of the situation.” -Kodai Senga [MLB]
I’m going to follow Kodai Senga’s example. Like Lindor, he’s finding the positive during a year that hasn’t quite gone the way he would’ve liked.
“Whenever it’s a first for anything, you don’t really think much of it in the moment or while you’re still playing. But when you skip ahead in years and retire, then I think it has a lot more meaning. So I wanted to have [the baseball from his 1st career save].” -Kodai Senga [MLB]