New Year, New Mets

Happy New Year! Start off 2026 right by getting yourself a paid sub!

Truth be told, I used to be skeptical of New Year’s Resolutions. My theory was that if you wanted to change something about yourself, what difference did it make if you started the change on January 1st or July 22nd, you know? Over time though, I got caught up in the resolution thing. Something about needing an entirely new calendar triggers a desire to make a change, and lord knows I’m not perfect as is.

David Stearns and company certainly are making changes for 2026. But what about us Met fans? I propose the following resolutions. Don’t worry about committing to all of them - nobody ever commits to all of theirs.

I will not complain if the youths don’t live up to the hype right away

It looks more and more every day like Stearns is relying on the highest ranked farm system in the game to augment the major league roster. If a Carson Benge or Jet!(t) Williams struggles in 2026, it doesn’t mean they will never be good. The same goes for Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat. The odds that all four of them are going to kick ass right away is minimal. If they don’t perform well, it’s on Stearns for trusting them!

I won’t compare the new players to the old ones

Marcus Semien will never be Brandon Nimmo. He doesn’t have to be - he’s Marcus Semien, and that’s more than good enough. Jorge Polanco is no Pete Alonso. Hopefully, he won’t have to be as Juan Soto’s lineup backup. Even if he is, it’s not his fault, it’s David Stearns’!

I won’t blame David Stearns for everything

Just some of the things. As a treat. “Sleepy Stearns” is too fun not to use every so often.

I will absolutely not compare Steve Cohen to Fred Wilpon

No, full stop. They are nowhere near the same. There was never a plan with the Wilpons besides keep things on the cheaper side and meddle with any plan the general manager had.

I won’t get into arguments on social media over the Mets

This is a good rule in general. It’s never worth it. You’re not going to convince anyone to change their mind if they’re being disingenuous to begin with. 

I won’t let the Mets impact my mental health

I say this every year, with the caveat that if it improves my mental health than this resolution can be very much ignored.

Juan Soto was asked what his 2026 goals were. “At the end of the day, it’s all about winning a championship, “he said. “That’s been the goal since day one. Bringing a title to the city of Queens and to New York as a whole. It’s been a while since they’ve won. We’re hungry, we’re anxious, and as far as individual numbers? They’ll come. My focus is simple, what we can accomplish together as a team.” Hell yeah. In a related story, Soto’s trainer said they’re looking for the 27-year-old to go “big” on stolen bases next year.

Jeff Passan continued to thread or whatever the verb is for using Threads. He was asked if the Mets will be competitive in 2026. Passan said yes. “I even dare think they'll be good,” he added. “Perhaps it doesn't look that way right now, but there's still plenty of winter left, and I simply can't overlook that they've got the game's richest owner and he has shown a distinct willingness to put his money where his mouth is.”  Hey, anything is possible.