Jared Porter, We Hardly Knew Ye (Thank God)

When the Mets hired Jared Porter to be their general manager, we noted that the young executive checked all the boxes. He was a part of three World Series-winning teams with the Red Sox, picked up another ring with the Cubs, became an assistant GM with the Diamondbacks, and was a protege of Theo Epstein, who was just hired by Major League Baseball.

We had a feeling things were changing for the better. The Mets were finally entering baseball's modern age, and had seemingly found someone who would get them on the leading edge of the curve after so many years of lagging behind.

Or not.

Less than a year ago, the Mets hired Carlos Beltran to be the manager, only to see him get caught up in the Astros cheating scandal, which led to him being fired before managing a game or even running a practice. Now, the Mets shiny new GM was fired after a month, immediately following a shattering ESPN report on how he bombarded a female journalist with texts that included unwanted nude photos. 

The harassment led to the woman leaving journalism entirely, and while she declined to pursue legal action because she feared repercussions (ESPN was ready to publish a story three years ago but stood down per her request), she came out now, anonymously, because she didn't want someone else to go through what she did, adding that she wasn't sure Porter was really sorry.

Let the record show Porter was here long enough to make one trade — albeit a monumental one for Francisco Lindor —before being shown the door by owner Steve Cohen, who in one tweet showed everyone that, despite the embarrassment, this ain't your old New York Mets.

Cohen acted swiftly and rightly so. No wishy-washy statements about starting an investigation, or waiting to see what the tabloids and talk radio hosts had to say. Zero tolerance is zero tolerance, and Cohen made that clear. If it means starting another search, or letting Sandy Alderson run things for a while longer, so be it.

The report was cringeworthy, filled with texts that make Porter look like a desperate frat bro, which maybe he is. Maybe take a hint after 30 unanswered texts? 

If there is a silver lining, it's that we have an owner who is truly in charge and knows the right way to handle a crisis. That and the fact that maybe the Mets dodged a bullet, because this debacle exposed Porter as someone who not only lacks maturity but whose character falls woefully short of any decent standard of behavior.

The old Mets would have worried about what people thought, hemmed and hawed, and probably still wouldn't have done the right thing. 

This time, even though the offense absolutely warranted an immediate firing, the team stepped up without hesitation because its owner actually knows what he is doing.

And in the end, we do what Mets fans do. Try and look at the bright side of life.

Francisco Lindor - That's a Fun Name to Put in the Lineup

Less than 24 hours after one of the most disturbing days in American history, Mets fans were given a reprieve with one of those old-fashioned hot stove league deals that has you counting the minutes until Opening Day.

We first heard rumors of the Mets' interest in Francisco Lindor in the waning weeks of 2020, and while acquiring a player of his stature would certainly be amazing, with so many other holes to fill, such a move would have to be considered a luxury.

Luckily for Mets fans, owner Steve Cohen has expensive tastes. Happy Freakin' New Year!

Lindor is arguably the best shortstop in baseball, most definitely in the top three, and at age 27 is entering the heart of his prime. A free agent after 2021, Lindor will most likely be locked up long term, giving the Mets a marquee shortstop who can hit, field, get on base and run like the wind. 

You thought Jose Reyes was dynamic? Wait 'til you see this kid.

And yes, we remember another 27-year-old Cleveland middle infielder who didn't pan out (what happened, Carlos Baerga?) But that kind of thinking is only for fans who like to wallow in the mire of failures past. This is a new era in Flushing and all signs are pointing up.

New GM Jared Porter has landed quite a prize in his first big deal, and you can see Lindor (as of now) at the top of the order behind Brandon Nimmo and in front of Dom Smith, Pete Alonso, Michael Conforto, Jeff McNeil and James McCann.

Is this the kind of deal that kick-starts the hot stove action? Does it get the ball rolling? Does it inspire someone like George Springer to want to come to Citi Field and roam centerfield? 

Why stop there? Make a deal for Nolan Arenado. Sign Trevor Bauer. Like Tom Petty sang, the future is wide open.

And don't forget about Carlos Carrasco. He is an excellent, playoff-tested pitcher who solidifies the middle of the rotation and is by all accounts is a great guy in the clubhouse. Throw him in with Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman, David Peterson and Steven Matz with Noah Syndergaard back before the All-Star break and you've got something. Seth Lugo goes back to the bullpen where he can do his best work.

Yes, we'll miss Andres Gimenez, who could pick it. We loved listening to Keith Hernandez was poetic about his play in the field, and while he will develop into a very good player, his bat doesn't project to be as good as Lindor's. And Amed Rosario was a fun player too, he just couldn't take a pitch.

The Mets are in it to win it, finally. 

Now if only we can have some fans at the games.