There are moments when the New York Mets need to behave less like cautious collectors and more like bidders who know exactly which piece belongs in their gallery. Free agency can feel like an auction room where hesitation costs you the masterpiece and commits you to a print instead. The Mets cannot afford that kind of restraint when their next step requires genuine impact.
Cody Bellinger is that impact. His projected 6-year, $180 million deal is hardly light, yet it matches the value he brings to a roster that is starving for production and versatility. If another club tries to turn the bidding into theater, the Mets should keep their paddle raised.