ExWNYer

@Gugny @Another Fan Jose Quintana I saw the same article and I'm glad that Cohen is not a reactionary hothead like Steinbrenner. That said, seeing is believing. I need some empirical evidence that this organization is truly changing and will be building correctly for the future. We'll see if they foolishly deal some of their better prospects for stop-gap pieces who give the fans some 'hope' but ultimately turn out to be window dressing or if they bite the bullet and try to retool (not rebuild) next year. One other note: Vientos is playing today but he is not getting enough playing time to be up with the big club. He needs a run of at least a dozen games or so to see if he can show anything. Whether they want to see if he is a building block of the future or whether they want to showcase him as part of a potential deadline deal, sitting him so much will accomplish neither goal. He should either be playing first base while Alonso is out or DHing with Vogelbach's fat ass glued to the bench, lefty/righty match-up be damned. Currently, neither is being done which is the typically inept and shortsighted Met way.

@Gugny @SinceThe70s Everything these days is driven by analytics and lineups are largely determined by the GM and the analytics team with very little say by the on field manager. You would think that someone with Buck's experience and years in the game would have more input but I'm not sure if that is actually the case. Managers used to determine lineups, not the pencil-pushers and nerds in the front office. FWIW, I hope the majority of this is not Buck because, if it is, the game has passed him by, IMO. In no world should a team that is supposed to be a contender be trotting out Daniel Vogelbach on a nearly nightly basis. He should have already been DFA'd. Can you imagine a well-run organization like Atlanta regularly playing Vogelbach as their DH? Not a chance in hell. Nothing ever changes with this franchise. They went from penny-pinching owners to the richest owner in baseball and yet the ineptitude continues despite the bloated payroll. Alonso, Alvarez and, to an extent, Baty are the only reasons to even pay attention to this team right now, at least for me. And now Alonso is day-to-day after getting plunked the other night. 1986 seems like a million years ago in the rearview mirror now. I'm starting to think I'll never see another title in my lifetime. <sigh>

Just announced. It's official. https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-qb-josh-allen-featured-on-madden-nfl-24-cover

@Gugny @SinceThe70s @Another Fan This team sucks. That is all. #SOFM

It's also interesting (frustrating?) that people continue to engage...and give a platform to...the same handful of trolls who continually contribute nothing constructive to this community. By any objective measure, the pass rush got better with the addition of Leonard Floyd.

Congrats to the Bandits. I watched the entire series and thoroughly enjoyed it; however, it was a little disappointing that the deciding game was only available via ESPN+. I get that's the way the world is going now but to televise the first two games 'conventionally' and then air the deciding game over stream only seemed odd to me but I managed to watch regardless. It did not bring me the joy that a title for the Bills or Sabres would but I was happy they won for sure. My younger son was even more into it than me which I thought was cool since he has never lived a day in WNY but is everything Buffalo for his sports teams.

...getting way more guaranteed money than anyone else was willing to offer.

If you honestly don't see any upgrades/improvements to this roster then you're either myopic, obtuse, or both. Look a little closer.

Look one post above yours. De nada.

Sal said he does think it matters who you retain when thinking about next year. He said he asked Beane before the draft about a contract extension for Gabe Davis and Beane said, "After the draft, we'll evaluate what our room looks like going forward" so they do think about that for sure. Joe agreed and said he believes that the Bills operate as though it does play in, as well. Sal finished up with, "Thanks a lot Virgil, it's a great conversation. You have to think of the long-term, you have to think of the short-term and all that goes into it."

@Virgil just got done speaking with Sal on the radio. Nice job. BTW, did I hear @Gugny gurgling in the background?

I like McNeil and think he's a more than serviceable outfielder. He's the gritty Wally Backman-type that every team needs. My Darin Ruf example may have been a little hyperbole but I still stand by the sentiment. I don't want them flipping assets who could be core pieces down the line, even for a closer. Diaz will be the closer again next year and Robertson is more than capable of handling the job this year, if the starters start holding up their end of the bargain and saving the bullpen from all of the wear and tear they're currently enduring. Robertson's hiccups, like the rest of the backend guys, have been due to overuse, IMO. I don't believe this is their year regardless of what they do at the deadline and I don't want them sacrificing the future for 'the now'. That has happened way too often with this franchise and year after year they add stop gaps like Ruf, Vogelbach, & Pham. Enough already. Address the DH position and add some real, sustainable power in the offseason. And let's get some reliable starting pitchers who aren't 105 years old and injury prone.

@Gugny @SinceThe70s All of this is true (27-27 now) but the question is...does this team really look like one capable of making a deep playoff run and a World Series appearance? Not to me, not at the moment anyway. They are a weird hybrid/mishmash of highly overpaid and underachieving vets & inexperienced newbies. I'm thoroughly enjoying watching Brandon Nimmo, the growth of Baty & Alvarez (looks like they finally have a legit catcher), and 'The Pete Alonso Experience' which has been amazing to witness...but that's it. The fun ends there. Buck continues to piss me off over his under use of the kids. Why the hell did they call up Vientos if they're not going to let him play?? He might as well be in Syracuse getting the ABs and experience in the field. The pitching staff from Scherzer & Verlander to the other barely warm bodies has been inconsistent at best and horrible at worst. This team went to Colorado and put up 7 runs and 10 runs in back-to-back games and still managed to find a way to lose them both. I'm not worried about them missing the playoffs. What worries me is that they'll flip one of these exciting kids at the deadline...like Vientos or Mauricio...just for a Darin Ruf level rental who will needlessly be added as they fall short yet again.

"How about a nice Hawaiian punch!"

My younger son and Josh share the same birthday. Yesterday was a milestone one for my 'kid'...21. I hope they both have their best year yet.

They have played some exciting games during this five game winning streak but I agree that it's more than likely not sustainable. Ottavino and Robertson (more surprisingly) couldn't hold leads and were actually bailed out by the offense. The increase in HRs has been a welcomed addition but, again, is it sustainable? They are a mostly power deficient team but the 'Baby Mets' have helped in that department for sure. Baty has looked like a pro for most of his time up and Alvarez is blossoming into a real life catcher with offensive chops right before our eyes. I love Vientos potential, too. I'm still irritated that Buck won't take the reins off and is treating them with kid gloves. This current resurgence is due in large part to them (with some Polar Bear magic sprinkled in to the mix) and playing them every other day is just asinine. PLAY. THEM. BUCK. BTW, the split doubleheader sweep on Sunday was a nice present for my younger son's 21st birthday. He shares the same birthday with Josh Allen!

If there is a tug to follow, then Kraft will sign him... Meaning he/she/it is a Kansas City troll.

Glad your father-in-law is okay. That's scary. That said, I think it's obvious what you need to do to get this team untracked...and, deep down, you know what you have to do, as well. Go to your in-laws before each game and gently push your father-in-law to the floor. Just be sure to help him up before you leave. LGM! ❤️

That's a stiff reprimand. 'Weenie' was used in a response earlier but since your 'weiner' was in the same vein, I will try not to be too hard on you.

@Gugny @SinceThe70s @Another Fan Only two runs allowed in six solid innings by Megill and the bullpen did the rest. Alonso with HR #16 and the offense did just enough as the Mets won it, 3-2, to take the rubber game. Nice series against the best team in baseball. Oddly, that was only their 18th home game and they are headed back out on to the road. Let's see if these two games have started to right the ship. Note: Complaint of the day (even though they won). Buck irritates me sometimes. After sparking the offense last night with a HR each and a combined 5 RBI out of the team total of 8, both Vientos and Alvarez were on the bench today. They are young and need to play and there is something to be said for playing the 'hot hand'. I'm assuming that Buck was 'playing the percentages' in sitting them against a righty SP but I'd take my chances with them over the underwhelming lefty and switch-hitting bats of Vogelbach and Escobar, respectively. LGM

That's a very Sahlen-ient point...