Let’s be petty, take offense at Luis Guillorme’s signing, and then exact revenge on the Braves.
In 2024, Luis Guillorme will be a member of the Atlanta Braves. Who predicted that day would come? To be fair, the New York Mets have since moved on. With a team loaded with talent, deals that benefit the team, and an increasing number of petty actions aimed at hurting Mets supporters, there’s no better place to exact revenge than Atlanta.
It was odd enough to watch Travis d’Arnaud succeed and win a championship with them for a number of years. In addition to trading for Jarred Kelenic during the offseason, they have now added Guillorme. Since 2019, is there another player that Mets supporters have scrutinized through binoculars more intently than Kelenic? It’s you, Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Even though the Mets fully understand that the Guillorme deal might have occurred regardless of the identity of his former team, a little revenge wouldn’t hurt. Consider it personal. Strike back.
The Mets should consider signing 2021 World Series MVP Jorge Soler as a means of retaliating.
It’s true that Braves supporters won’t give a damn if Soler signs with the Mets. They watched him play for the Miami Marlins for two consecutive seasons, during which he experienced two radically different seasons. In fact, the Mets currently have the option of pursuing multiple former Braves in free agency. Joc Pederson appears to be a possible fit for them in the DH position in addition to Soler. Now that Harrison Bader, Eddie Rosario, and Adam Duvall have been added, it is less so.
After a remarkable 55 regular season games and a devastating World Series with them, Soler was quickly let go by the Braves. He was essentially benched by the ball club in the NLCS after going 1 for 11 in the NLDS prior.
The past has already passed. The Mets will be focusing on what Soler can do for them in the future. Having just finished a season that saw him hit.250/.341/.512 with 36 home runs and 75 RBI, he is one of many power hitters the team could put in behind Pete Alonso in the order. The team needs to fill the lone void in the starting lineup. Soler is a true slugger who has averaged 32 long balls per 162 games in his career, which sets him apart from some of the other options the Mets have.
It is unlikely that the Mets will sign a designated hitter for more than a season or two, and Soler’s chances of moving to Queens appear remote. It’s likely that David Stearns is not too concerned about Guillorme’s arrival in Atlanta. Someone needs to remind him about Orlando Arcia if he harbors any resentment.
With the exception of when he faces the Mets and whenever we need the Braves to lose, we wish Guillorme the best of luck in Atlanta.