Brodie Swings A Big Stick

by Tim Reilly January 31, 2019

Brodie Van Wagenen has been a busy man this offseason. From Day 1, the new GM has hit the ground running. Sure, the fanbase, myself included, would love to see the cherry on top placed on the offseason by signing one of the marquee free agents still available. Nonetheless, you cannot argue the fact that the Mets will enter ’19 with a much better team than they went into last season with.

Personnel moves aside, the biggest difference between Brodie and GM’s of the past has been his desire to connect with the fanbase. He’s interacting with fans on social media, attending events, doing Q&A’s and making a real effort to engage the Flushing Faithful. It’s been a refreshing, fun approach. It’s nice to have a buttoned-up executive who can handle all situations in a boardroom and rip his tie off to hit the batting cage moments later.

His latest pitch? A GM home run derby.

Almost ready for #SpringTraining. Who wants to have some fun?! pic.twitter.com/qLZ11oyScg
— Brodie Van Wagenen (@GMBVW) January 30, 2019

The former Stanford ballplayer swings a big stick during negotiations and in the cage. I don’t like his odds of hitting a big-league slider, but I’ll put my money behind him taking down the rest of the league’s execs.

Brodie’s idea has me thinking. Do you know who would be perfect to train him for the derby? Reigning home run derby champion Bryce Harper. Just a thought…

There's still time, @GMBVW. #SwoopIn #BryceHarper #Mets @Bharper3407 pic.twitter.com/Fb02uFPZ6R
— The 7 Line (@The7Line) January 30, 2019

Truth be told, I don’t really care if Brodie wins a GM home run derby or not. Just field us a team with the best possible chance to win on the field. That’s all I really care about, and it’s the one surefire way to ensure a lifelong connection with the fanbase.

...but I would actually like to see Brodie knock a few balls into the apple, too.