WFAN has turned into much less of a local New York sports radio station and more like an episode of any number of shows on ESPN. Uninformed, illogical, and centered on hot takes to induce ratings, the latest one about the New York Mets is a new level of awful.
The New York Mets leader is Brandon Nimmo. Only way for him to shine is by trading Pete Alonso.
— The Brandon Tierney and Sal Licata Show (@BTandSal) February 7, 2024
Listen Live to Wednesday - Feb 7, 2024 from Brandon Tierney & Sal Licata on Audacy - https://t.co/RrXDlZER0Y
You can use the dull end of a scalpel and see what’s wrong here. The idea of trading Pete Alonso itself is flawed, but at least understandable if he’s asking for an outrageous dollar amount in an extension and/or the Mets receive a godfather offer. You don’t trade Alonso just to make another player better, especially when there is no basis for it happening as a result.
Subtracting one of the best Mets players won’t do a thing to make another better
WFAN hosts have been on a losing streak with their Mets takes all offseason. It’s one thing to criticize. It’s something else to suggest Brandon Nimmo is such a great leader and the only thing holding him back is the presence of another one of the team’s leaders. This isn’t Game of Thrones.
Sal Licata, the actual Mets fan on a show shared with someone who roots for the Yankees, was the one who surprisingly delivered this take. In clearing it up, his theme seems to be that the Mets don’t have a clear leader.
"For this team to have the ultimate success moving forward, Brandon Nimmo has to be the clear leader"
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) February 7, 2024
Sal says the Mets need their "big personalities" to step aside and let Nimmo be their unquestioned leader, and eventually team captain:https://t.co/Rdb9I1ALr2
Again, this is flawed thinking. Were the 1986 Mets held back by having Keith Hernandez and Gary Carter? Captains are unnecessary in baseball anyway. Plus, with the structure of the Mets roster, the immediate thinking should come back to the team needing to trade Francisco Lindor as well. He’s a leader, too. Get rid of him and Alonso. That’ll improve the Mets. Nimmo becomes a legend.
The timing of this Hall of Sludge take comes only days after Nimmo spoke highly of Alonso. While he wasn’t going to roast the slugger, speaking this highly of Alonso and being inauthentic about it would’ve shown. What’s more, it’s a bad look for a leader to come across this candid in regards to something he doesn’t believe.
Brandon Nimmo talks about Pete Alonso's future with the Mets on The Show with @Joelsherman1 and @JonHeyman:
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) February 5, 2024
"I would love to see Pete stay as a Met. He’s been nothing but a positive impact in our clubhouse - he’s always fiery and ready to go. He always wants the best out of… pic.twitter.com/MqieOdickV
Mets fans don’t need to be convinced that the idea of trading Alonso is a bad one. Unless there is chaos behind the scenes—which we know if there was, someone would’ve reported it—this rationale is bad as it gets.