"You don't win World Series with prospects" - MLB fans slam Mets for eyeing SS prospect Wandy Asigen after Yankees exit

The New York Yankees to New York Mets pipeline is set to continue with international prospect Wandy Asigen, set to sign with the Mets after the official international signing period opens on January 15.

As reported by independent journalist Francys Romero on Friday, the Yankees had guaranteed Asigen a contract worth nearly $4 million before their international scouting department underwent significant changes. The team dismissed Danny Rowland, who was in charge for fifteen years, last month.

According to former Mets general manager Jim Duquette on MLB Network, the Mets swooped in and welcomed Asigen to their tryout. Their deal with Venezuelan infielder Josue Chacoa fell through and they were willing to allocate the $2.7 million and extra to Asigen.

"So, Wandy Asigen is his name," Duquette said. "He's a 17-year-old on the international market. He's one of the top-ranked; he's like top-two ranked shortstop—well, players, but he's a shortstop. The Yankees had a deal done, and these are not official deals until January 15th. "They fired their international scouting director. Now there is some uncertainty on whether they still wanted to be committed to that dollar amount. The Mets swooped in; they brought him into their academy, they've worked him out according to what I've heard and reports, and they have the inside track."

However, fans on social media weren't happy with the Mets' approach, despite securing a top ranked prospect. They wanted more out of the management.

Here are a few reactions from X:

"You don’t win WS with prospects. You need solid major league players up and down the roster. That being said, I wouldn’t mind debuting 1-2 rookies this year," a podcaster wrote. "That’s pretty sad actually," a fan wrote. "What ever Yankees let GO.!! The Mets are right Behind waiting to get them… without even noticing why….! Not to go that route..," a fan said. "By the time he makes the major leagues the Mets might be relevant again," a fan stated. "More leftovers for the Mets," a Yankees fan trolled. "Can’t wait to see all the People confused about this signing bc the Mets have Lindor," a fan sarcastically added.

Steve Cohen dismisses media for falsifying Mets payroll claims

Mets owner Steve Cohen directly referred to The New York Post's Mike Puma's claims of president of baseball operations, David Stearns, looking to limit the team's payroll under the $320 million mark. Cohen called them out on X:

"As typical , the usual idiots misinterpreting a Post article on Mets payroll for ‘ 26. I can’t imagine our payroll to be lower than last year. It’s always hard to predict but that would be my best guess," he wrote.

Fans are getting restless as the Mets are yet to land a major free agent. They saw core members of their roster for years, Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz find new destinations. Their $320 million payroll would be down from the $342.3 million payroll for the 2025 season.

Edited by R. Nikhil Parshy