The New York Mets decided not to pursue a deal with star shortstop Carlos Correa when they found out there were potential issues with his ankle.
That paved the way for his signing with the Minnesota Twins.
What now for the Mets?
They already signed Edwin Diaz, Brandon Nimmo, Justin Verlander, Jose Quintana, Kodai Senga, and others, so they don’t have too many holes on their roster.
Still, they have money and high ambitions, things that could create an explosive scenario next year.
“NEWS: According to @martinonyc, believes the #Mets can get BOTH Manny Machado & Shohei Ohtani next off-season. #LGM,” GENY Mets Report had tweeted over the weekend.
Respectfully, this is not “news.” This was said in the context of a longer discussion. Without that context it probably has the effect of raising fan expectations as if I were reporting something more concrete. https://t.co/74S8jVe0UG
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) January 15, 2023
Obviously that created enormous expectations among fans.
However, Andy Martino threw some cold water on the fans’ rising expectations and suggested his remarks may have been taken out of context.
“Respectfully, this is not ‘news.’ This was said in the context of a longer discussion. Without that context it probably has the effect of raising fan expectations as if I were reporting something more concrete,” he tweeted.
Nobody doubts that the Mets, with the wealthiest owner in baseball in Steve Cohen, have the ability and willingness to bring in both Machado and Ohtani if they really wanted.
Whether that will be the case remains to be seen: Ohtani will hit the market after the 2023 season and Machado is still technically not a free agent (he would have to opt out, which he probably will).
Outbidding everyone else in MLB for the two stars could represent an investment of over $1 billion.
The Mets can pay that.
Will the league and the rest of the owners represent an obstacle?
