As long as the Mets are determined to transform into an international superbrand they’re going to go hard after the big free agents, which is why Juan Soto might be more attractive to them than most. I actually feel like he’s going to sign here, be given No. 22 and play right field until he inevitably moves to first base. Brett Baty, should be avoid being traded for a pitcher, shows up in a new number and it all works out. Baty needs a change of scenery.

I hope Pete Alonso is back. I like him! I know he’s limited–he basically does one thing well and he didn’t do that as well as he should have last year. Who knows what will happen.

Let’s catch up on the news. Eric Orze, a young starting pitcher they had up briefly this season was traded to Tampa Bay for speedy outfielder Jose Siri, who like Baty and Soto, prefers No. 22.

New to the 40-man roster are Justin Hagenman, a minor league reliever signed to a big-league deal; Kevin Herget, a journeyman reliever most recently with Milwaukee; Luis de los Santos, a power-hitting reserve third baseman claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays; and outfielder Jose Azocar, claimed by the Mets back in September from the Padres.

There are also several invite-to-spring-training types we’ll get another time.

Finally I am bailing on Twitter after some 10 or 15 years. It was fun for a while there, dangerous today. If I get back into the habit its springer66.bsky.social on Blue Sky and @jon.springer on Instagram.