This week’s Talkin’ Mets drops a little earlier before the Mets and Mariners play in the MLB Little League Classic in Williamsport, PA.

Hear Mike react to Nolan McLean’s debut and how his performance was more than just one win; it was a symbol of hope for this year and beyond. The next wave of young pitchers is just helpful to making the playoffs; it’s essential for this group to sustain their status as contenders.

Pete Alonso broke the Mets home run record. Are we seeing the final days of Alonso in a Mets uniform? Mike explains why signing players long-term is essential for marketing the franchise to fans and how Steve Cohen can do so responsibly for the team’s future payroll.

Also, Mike announces how the podcast/paid content will work with his new commercial-free weekly show. Check it out and become a free or paid subscriber for future content updates.

The Mets were swept away in Milwaukee, but are still in a playoff spot. Even though everyone expected a breakthrough this year, were there signs from the start that the Mets were a similar mid-eighties win team like the ‘24 version?

Mike also talks about a concerning trend with the core players, and why last night’s promotions of Carson Benge, Jett Williams, Ryan Clifford, and Jonah Tong might be more critical to the near future than you think.

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The ceremonial first half is over, and the Mets can take a breath before they start their drive to the postseason. Will there be a postseason in Queens this year? Mike Silva explains why, as currently constituted, this team is not a playoff contender and discusses the challenges David Stearns faces in the next couple of weeks leading up to the trade deadline.

Is Francisco Alvarez back? Why is Edwin Diaz better than ever? How will Talkin’ Mets celebrate David Wright this week? All of this and more in the latest Talkin’ Mets Podcast.

Every once in a while, Mike Silva has a big idea at Talkin' Mets. Tonight, it's trading for Oakland closer to Mason Miller. Can the Mets pull it off? Listen and find out.

Edwin Diaz returned from suspension, and everything is right with the Mets. Or is it? Hear Mike Silva talk about how Diaz and the Mets are tied at the hip for the foreseeable future.

History tells us that fixing a bullpen midseason isn't easy. Hear some tales of bullpen trades gone wrong, and Mike gives one wild trade scenario that might bring a couple of old friends back to New York.

Mike Silva reflects on the just-ended month of June and a valuable lesson he learned from the Met's historic month.

Mike Silva puts a cherry on top of the week of remembering Willie Mays by discussing Willie's iconic career with Jim Hirsch, author of the autobiography "Willie Mays: The Life, The Legend.

Mike Silva discusses the statement made by the Mets on this recent 4-2 road trip to Dallas and Chicago. Also hear his thoughts on the controversial ejection of Edwin Diaz.

The Mets are not officially a playoff contender until they hit the .500 mark. That said, Mike Silva talks about how they should look for help from within before dealing prospects for marginal upgrades. One name is knocking on the big league door, which might add an element the offense lacks. Listen and find out!

The Mets have won 11 of 15 and are surging into the playoff picture. J.D. Martinez and Francisco Lindor lead the offense, while Dedniel Nunez is surprisingly bolstering the bullpen. The real reason for hope? The 100 mph that Edwin Diaz showed during his Friday night’s save against San Diego. 

In the second half of the show, Anthony Wootton from the TransAtlantic Sports Show makes an appearance to talk about covering the London Series. He discusses the growth of the game in the UK and the involvement of the Mets and Phillies from the perspective of a journalist and a father looking to introduce baseball to future fans.

The Mets continue to captivate the fans. Following a thrilling victory to conclude the London Series, the team has won four out of its last five games. However, it's uncertain whether this recent success is sustainable. Mike discusses the potential strategies of David Stearns and Steve Cohen leading up to the trade deadline.

The Mets righted the ship this week, highlighted by winning the Citi Field edition of the Subway Series. Was the timing of the Mets slump fortuitous and somewhat necessary to help David Stearns maximize his deadline acquisitions? Mike throws out a wild pitching plan to help Stearns navigate a shaky bridge to Edwin Diaz. Are the media to blame for the struggles of the young players? What will the latest Mets narrative be going into the second half? Listen to this and more on the latest Talkin’ Mets podcast.

Darryl Strawberry had a profound message for the 2024 Mets, David Stearns, and Steve Cohen. Mike Silva contrasts that with J.D. Martinez's “no pressure” statements after the team meeting earlier in the week. It’s time for the organization to use Strawberry’s challenge as a theme going forward when bringing players into the fold. 

Mike Silva looks back on the career of Darryl Strawberry and discusses how the Mets and Straw were never the same after he left as a free agent in 1990. Where is the next great offensive player going to come from? Is it here on the roster? 

Jorge Lopez flipped out and threw his glove. That is the story the media will tell you to generate content. Mike Silva gives you what Lopez symbolizes, the urgency that David Stearns needs to address the problem, what to clean up, and the real meaning behind what happened with Lopez. Listen to the latest Talkin’ Mets to hear Mike’s State of the Union on Wednesday afternoon’s messy antics at Citi Field. 

David Stearns and Steve Cohen have big decisions as the team heads into the trade deadline. With the core players being so below their career norms, it’s time for them to be honest about the next two years, which might not be what they initially thought. Hear Mike’s thoughts on how they need to frame their message and manage fan expectations. 

Admit it! The fan alter ego still has hope after Omar Narvaez singled to win Sunday’s game against the Giants. Mike talks about the pull between logic and hopeful fandom and why logic might need to win out on the 2024 Mets.

After a week where Edwin Diaz blew three saves and the Mets lost 2 of 3 to the lowly Marlins, Mike Silva questions whether it’s time to move on from the 2022 core and start fresh.

Hear his thoughts on Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz, Francisco Lindor, and Brandon Nimmo. Just like a bad relationship that isn’t working, perhaps it’s time to go separate ways to make life better for both parties. 

Brandon Nimmo’s walk-off against the Braves salvaged a lost weekend at Citi Field, where there appeared to be a vast gap between the NL East contenders and the Mets.

With Memorial Day just around the corner and the Wild Card race shaping up to be more competitive than initially thought, should the discussion about dealing Pete Alonso start to take shape?

Hear Mike discuss Joel Sherman’s report on Alonso’s contract negotiations, the current Mets offensive state with and without Alonso, and how difficult David Stearns's decision is coming at the trade deadline. 

MLB has been messing with the rules and trying to legislate everything for the last decade. The ambiguity creates problems, and we saw that this year with the McNeil-Hoskins incident and now with Alonso and the blocking the plate scenario on Wednesday. Mike explains why this is an example of how overreaction to one play and fear of social media outcry makes things worse. 

May is here, and we can finally start to see who this 2024 Mets team is. Are they the sub-.500 bunch that seems not to hit when they get good pitching and not pitch when they hit? Why aren’t they better despite an elite bullpen and decent starting pitching results? The warning signs from the West Coast trip seem to have become a reality. This team is frustrating, and Mike will tell you why 

Mike Silva was live in Tampa for Christian Scott’s debut. Everyone is buzzing about the young righty's repertoire and poise. Did you know he wasn’t the only Mets prospect to shine this weekend? Saturday was a banner day for Mets pitching up and down the organization. Hear Mike discuss that and his road trip experience. 

The Mets were wiped out in Pittsburgh, and the fans smell blood. Are the solutions team meetings, firing coaches, or rushing a top prospect to the big leagues? Hear Mike talk about the failures of the roster, the tough decisions that David Stearns has to make leading up to the trade deadline, and why it may not be easy to improve the areas of the roster that are holding the organization back from a long playoff run.

Official scorekeeper Howie Karpin joins the program to discuss his latest book, "976-1313: How Sports Phone Launched New Careers and Broke New Ground.” One of the reasons we are able to do “Talkin’ Mets” today is the work of Howie and other pioneers in the sports media business back in the late 1970s. Hear Howie share stories about great nights at the old Sports Phone and how it helped give birth to the pioneer in sports media in New York: WFAN. 

Mark Vientos was the hero on Sunday, but between that and his at-bat against Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley on Saturday made for an impressive weekend. Mike Silva discusses his latest “Beyond the Mic” article on Vientos and adds the possibility that Vientos might be more than trade fodder this July. 

Are you feeling good about the Mets after their 3-3 West Coast trip? I bet you are, but Mike isn't feeling warm and fuzzy despite the team passing their first 2024 test. What should you be worried about? Listen to a special mid-week edition of the Talkin' Mets podcast.

Mike rounds out the show by remembering Whitey Herzog and Jackie Robinson. Was the “White Rat” the first villain to live rent-free in Mets fan’s heads? Do we give enough credit to Jackie Robinson’s achievements on the field? 

Citi Field should be the ultimate home field advantage. Why is it not? Was Shea Stadium a better baseball experience? Mike talks about his visit to Citi Field and gives his thoughts on the topic during the week the Mets celebrated Shea Stadium’s 60 birthday. 

The Mets took two of three from the Dodgers in dramatic fashion. The weekend was fun for many reasons, and this team is showing early signs of resiliency and heart. Is the sum greater than the parts? Are we about to go on a similar ride with this group as we did in 2022? Maybe, but Mike also discusses some early warning signs that should concern you. 

Mike rounds out the show with Mark Rosenman of Kiners Korner. Mark’s website, which includes a postgame “Zoom Room,” has become a popular destination for fans yearning for something similar to the Ralph Kiner postgame shows of the past.

Hear Mark and Mike discuss Doc Gooden’s retirement ceremony, the atmosphere at Citi Field, and some of the ways Mark is bringing Mets fans a positive community experience.

The Mets got some homegrown help this weekend as Jose Butto shined in a 6-inning//9 strikeout performance. Can Butto and perhaps Christian Scott give the Mets a homegrown flair to their rotation later this summer?

The crowds at Citi Field were small but passionate. With their weekend performance, the Mets fans showed they could create a home-field advantage for the Amazin’s. Hear Mike’s thoughts on that and the ovation for Francisco Lindor. 

The Mets won four of six on the road. Hear Mike Silva's reaction to the Braves series and how the Mets stack up against the best team in the NL. What is his major concern about the club, even after a good road trip, and what secret weapon does he believe Carlos Mendoza may have? Listen to this and more on the latest Talkin' Mets.

Mike discusses Francisco Lindor’s historically bad start to round out the show. The conversation about fan behavior and how Mets fans can become tenth men on the field again wraps up the program. Are we at an inflection point after a group of fans attacked Lindor’s family on social media? 

Francisco Alvarez was sent down before Sunday night’s finale. Are more of the “Baby Mets” heading to Syracuse? Independent prospect guru Ernest Dove joins Mike Silva as they discuss the performances of Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, and Luisangel Acuna. The guys also debate development, and Ernest gives us some prospect names to start looking at for the rest of the season.

The pitching epidemic took another turn for the worse with the news that Braves ace Spencer Strider might need Tommy John surgery. The Players Association blames the pitch clock, while the industry blames the hunt for velocity and spin rate. Both are wrong, and the solution might be costly in dollars and cents. Hear Mike’s suggestion on mitigating a problem that won’t be fixed quickly, easily, or cheaply. 

The Mets have the blueprint for success: 5-6 innings from the starters, enough offense to put up a crooked number, and a bridge to Edwin Diaz. What can derail them? It’s in the details, and the margin of error is thinner than you think. Saturday’s loss can be an example of what can make 2024 a subpar season. 

Mike Silva reacts to the Brewers sweep of the Mets on Opening Weekend. Hear his thoughts on how the pitching, hitting, fielding, and fans were all responsible for the poor results.

Darren Reed was a star-crossed outfielder for the Mets in the late 1980s/early 1990s. He routinely had huge spring training numbers but never made the club. Mike Silva tells you who this year's Darren Reed is and awards them the first annual “Darren Reed Spring Training Award.” 

When spring training started, there were tons of questions about the manager, bullpen, veterans, rotation, and top prospects. Hear Mike tell you what we learned throughout Grapefruit League action. 

The Mets signed J.D. Martinez. What does this mean for the team going forward, and what does it say about David Stearns? 

It's been a while since the Mets made the fans feel good about the team.

Edwin Diaz took the mound this past week and reminded everyone how dominant he could be in the ninth inning.

Adding to that exciting prospect, did you see the stuff from all those pitchers in the Spring Breakout Game? Steve Cohen says the Mets are loaded. Maybe that's an overstatement, but there is reason to be excited.

Finally, if that isn't enough, how about that starting rotation? Can we believe what the spring stats tell us?

Is Ji-Man Choi pushing himself onto the roster? What bullpen arms are making Carlos Mendoza's final roster decisions hard? Listen to the latest opinions on the Grapefruit League by Mike Silva

Is there a debate about Brandon Nimmo in the leadoff spot? Mike Silva tells you why this is silly and should stop immediately. What is the Mets best lineup? Who will protect Pete Alonso? Hear his thoughts.

Zack Wheeler signs an extension with the Phillies, and The Athletic reports on a pitching crisis in the same week. How will the Mets build and sustain a rotation? Maybe David Stearns is already showing you.

Kodai Senga is injured, Clay Holmes needs a pitch count limit, and Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning are proving to be backend of the rotation starters. Is David Peterson the only arm left that can be trusted in this rotation?

Mike Silva discusses a bold idea to help the bullpen and offers his solution to the inevitable rotation regression woes. Hear his thoughts on how Sean Manaea’s return and Clay Holmes’ pitch count limit can be used to strengthen two aspects of the roster.

The first week of Grapefruit League action displayed the future of the Mets offense with performances from Drew Gilbert, Luisangel Acuna, and Jett Williams. Mike Silva tells you why these three can be the midseason energy shot the club needs to make the playoffs. Also, hear his thoughts on surprising bullpen options and the early front runners for the Darren Reed Spring Training Award.

Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman signed their "pillow" contracts. Is Jordan Montgomery next? The Mets still insist they are not in the market for pitching, and reports indicate that Michael Lorenzen is higher on their depth chart. What is happening, and why is David Stearns averse to Jordan Montgomery?

Bashing the Mets has become a cottage industry for members of the media. Mike Silva tells you why you must be prepared for it and how to avoid turning your Mets viewing into an albatross.