Author: Shannon Shark @metspolice

Per the NY Post: As currently constructed, the Mets’ 2024 rotation features Kodai Senga, Jose Quintana, Luis Severino and Adrian Houser.

Of course most rotations have five guys and usually need spot starters along the way, but maybe former Wilpons intern David Stearns has a clever plan for all this.

Also factor in the marketing here – hey come see…checks notes….Kodai Segna on Opening Day!  Yay!!!

Great job Steve.

Trade Pete.  Do it.  While we still have time.  If you’re rebuilding, don’t half ass it Steve.

Well, this is different.

Thanks to everyone who shot me a note letting me know how much they like the Seinfeld but.  I plan on doing lots more of it, but I want to wait until it is tied to the real world actions of You Know Who.

In the meantime, this cap is interesting.  I wonder what a black swoosh jersey would look like?   Also $48 for a baseball cap is insane.

 

INT. MONK’S CAFE – DAY

Steve is holding a copy of the Wall Street Journal in his hands, looking quite pleased with himself.

STEVE: (contentedly) There’s nothing like starting the day with the Wall Street Journal. It really sets the tone for a successful day.

JERRY: (dryly) OK, Steve, we get it. You’re rich. You don’t have to rub it in our faces.

STEVE: (smiling smugly) It’s not about bragging, Jerry. It’s about being informed, staying ahead of the game.

JERRY: (sarcastically) Yeah, because knowing the stock market trends is crucial for deciding what cereal to eat in the morning.

STEVE: (smugly) Let’s see how many millions I made today. Being the smartest hedge fund trader has its perks.

As he scans the pages, his face falls upon seeing a headline: “The Mets Aren’t Even Good at Being Rich.” His expression sours.

Jerry, noticing the sudden change in Steve’s demeanor, looks up from what he’s doing.

JERRY: (concerned) What’s wrong, Steve? You look like someone just told you they’re turning Citi Field into a giant yoga studio.

STEVE: (holding up the journal) It’s worse. The Wall Street Journal… they wrote an article saying the Mets aren’t even good at being rich.

JERRY: (shrugging) So what? You’ve got enough money to buy your own newspaper and write glowing reviews about yourself. Why worry about what they say?

STEVE: (frustrated) Jerry, the entire reason I bought the Mets was for my ego. If they don’t stroke my ego, what’s the point of owning the team?

JERRY: (teasingly) I thought it was for the love of the game, not the love of the fame.

STEVE: (sighing) It’s not just fame, Jerry. It’s respect, admiration… winning.

JERRY: (smirking) Well, maybe you can buy their next article. How about “The Mets: Rich in Aura”?

At that moment, Kramer enters, full of energy.

KRAMER: (cheerfully) Hey, can I see that? I need to check my stock.

STEVE: (handing over the journal) Sure, go ahead.

Kramer eagerly scans the pages and suddenly beams with joy.

KRAMER: (excitedly) Look at this, Steve! My stock is way up!

JERRY: (inquiringly) Hold on, Kramer, you own stock? What stock do you own?

KRAMER: (proudly) DodgersCo, Jerry! I figured, why not invest in a winning team?

STEVE: (bitterly) DodgersCo? Really?

JERRY: (amused) DodgersCo? Since when did you become a fan of the Dodgers?

KRAMER: (philosophically) Jerry, in the world of stocks, it’s not about team loyalty; it’s about the greenbacks.

STEVE: (bitterly) Great, even Kramer’s betting against the Mets.

KRAMER: (nodding) Yeah, I figured I’d invest in something solid.

Steve sighs heavily, his frustration evident.

STEVE: (sighing) “It’s terrible,” this article says. “It’s not what I expected.”

JERRY: (joining them) What’s that, Steve?

STEVE: (gesturing to the journal) They’re saying the Mets need to follow the Dodgers’ model to succeed.

KRAMER: (cluelessly) Well, maybe they’re onto something, Steve. You know, “if you can’t beat them, join them.”

STEVE: (sarcastically) Great, I’ll just turn the Mets into the Dodgers overnight.

JERRY:  well, you do have a clone of Ebbets Field

STEVE:  not funny Jerry

JERRY: (teasingly) Maybe start by trading for some DodgersCo stock.

The Wall Street Journal sets up today’s fun with an article titled The Mets Aren’t Even Good at Being Rich and although it is paywalled the fun part is below (the bold is mine)

The Mets’ sudden unattractiveness to free agents—or rather its abrupt return to unattractiveness—can be traced through the past two seasons. In 2022, the Mets had the second highest payroll in baseball, won 101 games, and still finished as runners-up in the National League East. Then in 2023, they succumbed to crushing mediocrity. They finished with a 75-87 record—forgettable even by the Mets’ standards. (via WSJ)

Those two seasons put enormous dents into the Mets’ reputation as potential World Series contenders. It’s hard to say which did more damage.