Part 9/12:
Valdez: Expected to sign by the start of Winter Meetings, with a possible $75 million over three years.
Trade landscape: The Mets are exploring multiple avenues, aiming for a mix of free-agent signings and strategic trades, balancing short-term needs with future flexibility.
Broader Front Office and Community Moves
Steve Cohen's Downstate New York Casino
A significant non-baseball development: Steve Cohen and Hard Rock were approved for a downstate New York casino, projected to open in June 2030. This massive project near Citi Field will include a hotel, a sportsbook, entertainment venues, and community benefits like green spaces and thousands of jobs.