Sandy Is Busy And Business Will Pick Up

Steve Cohen and Sandy Alderson are moving along with the plan. So despite the delay in putting a general manager in place, Trevor May was signed to boost the bullpen. And as I reported a few weeks ago, James McCann is the favorite over J.T. Realmuto.

Back to the GM search for a moment, and despite what has been reported about the GM search, keep in mind this has nothing to do with executives in place showing lack of interest with the Cohen comment of not winning a world series in a span of three-to-five years amounting to a disappointment.

I always say, this is the offseason and time of year when rumors are always a component of the business. The media looks for stories and every bit of gossip does result in a headline.

So for sure, Sandy Alderson and Steve Cohen in due time will have the proper GM in place. It may take longer than expected and remains a priority during this busy period of the offseason. But the GM search has nothing to do with being timid of that Steve Cohen comment and running away from a good opportunity. 

Now, what every Mets fan wants to hear are the names of Realmuto, George Springer, Trevor Bauer. And the reports about McCann and the Mets possibly coming to an agreement about a four-year deal.

Yes, the McCann talks are strong. That could become a reality soon. It seems, Ralmuto is more expensive and also there is a question about lingering injuries. The Mets are looking for the experience behind the plate that will provide offense and command a rotation. 

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez, who had McCann behind the plate with the White Sox this past season, said to me that McCann was the best he had calling his pitches during the span of his career.  

I have been informed from reliable sources, Bauer is also a focus with or without a GM in place. Again, the Mets are going to be active as never before. Again, disregard those reports about a stall in the GM search.

We are at a point in the offseason and prior to the holidays along with a global pandemic, where baseball business is being conducted differently. Most operations of baseball personnel are taking place at homes of the GM’s and executives.

The annual Winter Meetings, where the business meetings of baseball are conducted, will be a virtual event among all 30 teams and personnel starting next week. 

And there is more of a probability that any major free agent acquisitions or trades will take place at the start of a new year. And for the Mets, believe me, the business will proceed and be a busy one. 

The process commenced with a two-year deal for free-agent reliever Trevor May. He is not the “Trevor” that is highly sought to follow in a possible lethal rotation with Jacob deGrom.

But, as sources tell me, that other Trevor could be coming to New York. Don’t rule that out with or without a GM in place.

So does May in his three seasons , despite undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2017, with a 3.19 ERA and that 1.08 WHIP, 12.2 strikeout per 9-inning average. 

A veteran NL scout said May has a fastball with a lot of life. He attributes a lot of his development to former and current Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, and that was a key part of May signing with the Mets.  

So be patient. The GM will come. And I do expect one or two of those big three free agents to sign on the dotted line. Leave it in the hands of Sandy and of course “Uncle Steve.”