Whatever you make of the bloodless decision to let him go to Baltimore without so much as a competitive offer, New York just isn’t going to be the same place without Pete Alonso as part of it. That’s what bothers me most. I saw Alonso as a guy the Phillies and Braves feared, and the fans embraced as one of theirs doing walkoff interviews with Gelbs at the stadium, a goofy, reliable slugger who came through in some huge moments and built an insurmountable lead for home runs by Guys Who Wore No. 20. All the best for the Orioles who are one of my “back-up” rooting interests, although recently my heart’s been in Toronto.
Brandon Nimmo is another guy who seemed destined to say longer. He was a good versatile hitter and on-base guy, whose 188 doubles vaulted No. 9 to second all-time. But lately I’d thought of him as the guy whose brought so much Jesusness to New York with his walk-up music.
I don’t think for a moment that the swap of Edwin Diaz for Devin Williams is an upgrade but I’m skeptical of relievers being reliable over long periods so I’m predicting Los Angeles will have as many regrets if not more than us.
Marcus Semian over Jeff McNeil? Sure. McNeil, as useful as he was as a multiposition guy, probably will get a bigger chance in Sacramento. Jeff departs as a perhaps the club’s most distinguished three-number wearer since Ron Darling. His versatility could be replaced by the switch-hitting, power-hitting newcomer, Jorge Polanco, who might also be the team’s next first baseman.
Luke Weaver? OK I guess. He’s going to wear No. 30, according to Mets.com. As previously revealed Semian gets the No. 10 once having belonged to Ronny Mauricio–Mauricio is listed in No. 0 now. Devin Williams still doesn’t have a number with the Mets–his customary 38 belongs to Tylor Megill, so we’ll see how that works out.
All this–like the signing of Carl Edwards Jr. (No. 6 with the Cubs!) to a minor league deal– and I’m still wondering how they’re going to replace the right-handed power of Alonso. I’ve had enough 2024 Yankees already so let’s hope Stearns has something creative up his sleeve.
