Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast

Hour 3: Mets & Giants – December 16, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
ESPN New York

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the current state and ongoing uncertainties surrounding the New York Mets, focusing on the team’s offseason moves, especially the impact of Juan Soto on clubhouse decisions, trade rumors involving Francisco Lindor, and the emotional consequences of breaking up the team’s core. The hosts also pivot to the New York Giants, critiquing the team's management and struggle for stability, all while weaving in trademark banter, nostalgia, and listener engagement.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Mets Offseason Moves & Polanco Signing

• The Mets' relatively quiet offseason is broken by the signing of Polanco at $20M/year.
  • Polanco is expected to "replace Nimmo's numbers" rather than fill Alonzo's spot at first base ([01:57]).
  • Concern about fitting Polanco defensively at first base, given his bum knee, is noted ([02:53]).
• Quote:
  • "The problem... talk is that they think he could play first base, which he's never played at the major league level... How do you replace that at first base when that's what Alonzo gave you? … His numbers, if you look at them when he's healthy, is Nimmo right." — Alan Hahn ([02:53])

2. Debating the Mets' Roster Direction

• The hosts contest whether the Mets are penny-pinching or overspending, pointing out the contradiction in fan/media complaints.
• The Polanco signing is seen as a short-term, partial fix:
  • "This isn't a finished product." — Alan Hahn ([04:54])
  • "The fans are going nuts because they think this is going to be the opening day roster and… No." — Don La Greca ([04:57])

3. Trade Rumors: Lindor, Bogarts, Miller & Soto’s Influence

• Persistent rumors connect the Mets and Padres, with speculation about acquiring Mason Miller.
• Implied possible tension: if Soto and Lindor have issues, Lindor would be the likely trade candidate, especially given Soto's contract status ([07:58]).
• The ethics and practicalities of letting star players dictate roster construction are debated.
  • "Who's gonna lose the face off? Lindor is gonna lose the face off." — Don La Greca ([08:42])
• The Mets' leadership dynamic is discussed, including concerns about manager Mendoza being out of the loop ([07:34], [13:36]).

4. Clubhouse Culture, Leadership, and Chemistry

• Multiple references to the problems with past Mets clubhouses and the need for a total culture overhaul.
  • "I do think there is more of a drive to do that, which feels like they're trying to turn the soil over in that clubhouse." — Alan Hahn ([13:36])
  • Questions swirl about whether Soto is overly involved in personnel matters ([10:32]).
• Hahn notes Polanco’s postseason clutch performance and positive presence, likening him to players like Marcus Semien ([13:27]).

5. Fan Emotional Investment vs. “Ring Culture”

• Listener caller Mike expresses an emotional attachment to the core group, preferring to keep beloved players over building strictly for championships.
  • "I would keep the core and keep working to try to win with that core because I love those players... I have a lot of fun when the Mets are competitive." — Caller Mike ([38:16])
• The hosts contrast this with Steve Cohen’s championship-driven philosophy.

6. Giants Segment: Kicking Woes and Organizational Uncertainty

• Discussion pivots to the Giants' frustrating efforts to find a kicker and special teams blunders ([28:28]-[31:54]).
• The possible effects of John Mara’s health issues on executive decisions and team leadership are discussed frankly, with analogies to film (e.g., "me, myself, and Irene" and "Billy Madison" analogies, [30:18]).
• Calls for a stabilizing, experienced voice ("one-voice guy") to replicate a Tom Coughlin-like presence ([34:04]).

7. Music & Personal Stories

• Fun personal anecdotes: Don’s first concert (Iron Maiden at Radio City, 1985!), and a caller’s stories about 80s metal shows ([43:55]–[49:37]).
• Banter about always referring to certain people by their full names ("Joe Leo", "Matt Ryan") ([49:37]–[51:18]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On roster construction and Soto’s influence:

  • "Part of the process is one thing, dictating direction is quite the other." — Don La Greca ([11:15])
  • "If you've got problems with the clubhouse, then you have to have a problem with the leader." — Don La Greca ([12:29])

• Banter on fan choices:

  • "If you had a choice to go back in time, do you want the core of your team to stay together, or do you want Juan Soto? You can't have both." — Alan Hahn ([16:22])

• On emotional fandom:

  • "I like the core, but what have they won? ... I'd rather undo it or not. Because you can't have both. Which one would you want?" — Alan Hahn ([17:48])
  • "I would keep the core... because I love those players and I want to win with them and because I'm a Mets fan and not a Yankees fan... I have a lot of fun when the Mets are competitive." — Mike, Caller ([38:16])

• On Giants’ executive struggles:

  • "He's now the cow in 'Me, Myself and Irene'... the cow just won't die." — Don La Greca ([30:18])
  • "...more than ever, you need what Tom Coughlin was. ... I'm gonna bring in people with me who know how to do the job, and we’re gonna get this done." — Alan Hahn ([34:04])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:57] Mets' off-season: Polanco signing and fan/media contradictions
• [04:54] Polanco's role is not to replace Alonzo; still holes in the lineup
• [07:34] Clubhouse issues, Lindor and Soto dynamic, Mendoza's role questioned
• [11:15] Discussion on how much players should dictate roster moves
• [13:36] Polanco's reputation and cultural impact; team chemistry overhaul
• [16:22] Hypothetical: would fans choose to keep the core or build around Soto?
• [28:28] Giants kicker woes and special teams mismanagement begin
• [30:18] John Mara’s health and its implications for Giants' future
• [34:04] The need for experienced leadership in Giants organization
• [38:16] Caller Mike: emotional connection to Mets' core, not chasing "rings"
• [43:55] Iron Maiden concert story, 80s music, and caller banter

Tone & Host Dynamic

The episode is lively, opinionated, and laced with authenticity and humor, with Don offering passionate rants, Hahn providing context and player analysis, and both sharing honest (sometimes self-deprecating) personal stories. The show respects fans' emotional connections while demanding accountability for both teams’ leadership.

Summary

This episode is a thorough audit of the Mets’ organizational rethink—highlighting the tension between sentimental fandom and cold championship calculus—while paralleling the Giants’ muddled leadership situation. Don, Hahn & Rosenberg alternate rigorous debate with playful, inclusive banter, weaving in listener calls and personal memories to ground their big-picture sports talk in the authentic, everyday experience of New York fans.