Ernest Dove - Should the Mets go all 'Marlins' with their prospects?

  So, the Marlins are in town.  I've lived in Florida, off and on, for about 20 years.  Many things haven't really changed. They compete for a few years, compete for, and/or win a title, and their fans seem to hate ownership about as much as Mets fans.  Oh, and if you are the kind of guy who likes his space when watching the game of baseball, then Marlins Park is your kind of place.  You have the space you need, to relax, kick your legs up over the empty chairs in front of you, and enjoy some ball.

  However, this past year or so, something else has been added.  Apparently, in southbeach, you really gotta be young to get a look. And young they are.  Specifically in the outfield.  Where the trio of Stanton, Azuna and Yelich average out to around 23 years old.  In contrast, the Mets AA ball club outfield (minus 30+ yr old space filler Burgamy) are about the average age of 24.

   Teams, and their ownership, will always have their own specific philosophy.  And, honestly, since the Marlins seem to be even less likely to overspend to pick up, or even keep their own high priced free agents and talent, I then understand why they must be so reliant on their prospects getting shots a little earlier then on some other franchises.

  However, for me, its not solely about a franchise and their perceived desperation.  For me, its about the face that some of the Marlins young players, including the outfield, and last years 20 year old full time starter José Fernandez, have certainly done anything but embarrass themselves at the highest level.  José Fernandez won himself a rookie of the year award, despite never seeing AAA ball. Meanwhile, the entire outfield is taking turns hitting over .300, scoring runs, and driving in runs.

  Meanwhile, the Mets, started a pitcher/outfielder combo of 40+ years olds yesterday, in a win against the Cardinals. So I guess I'm still trying to figure out the entire philosophy of the organization.  These signings and call ups of Colon and Abreu appear to show a team trying to 'win now'.  However, at the same time, the team is also willing to allow the young players, like Tejada and d'Arnoud, to get their at bats, while continue to struggle, (yes, d'Arnoud is making more contact this past week, but you get the point).

  In the bullpen, Parnell goes down with injury.  However, rather then to give a young fireballer a chance, be it a current reliever prospect like Vic Black, Jeff Walters or even the still wild Familia, the Mets instead turned to 35+ year old Valerie, then 38 year old Farnsworth, and last night the ball went to 33 year old Dice K.  Again, this sounds like a 'win now' mentality.  However, this same team, who watched Dice K basically resurge his career this spring, still chose 24 year old injury prone Mejia to be the SP5. 

  So, long story short, I remain confused.  Confused about the immediate direction this team is heading in.  Meanwhile, the winning streak, losing streak, winning streaking Marlins, and all their youth, and showing some excitement.  And I'm wondering if the Mets would ever consider borrowing some of this philosophy. 
  We all know the Mets ownership and their fear of the almighty super 2 thing (whatever that really is).  And we all know that the Marlins could care less about it (maybe because they know their players will be traded off long before they are owed that kings ransom) but maybe the Mets can begin to sit themselves somewhere in between. And it starts with their top prospects.

  Lets look at the pitching.  Mets top prospects Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler put in their time at every level, despite all the reported talent and hype, and here is where they stand.  Harvey still blew out his elbow. And Wheeler looks like he is either struggling, or now trying to learn, on the job, about how to pound the zone more, and not go 3-2 counts on everyone, while trying to get that strikeout. But, there you go, he is learning at the major league level. Not because the team doesn't care about wins. And not because they are trying to simply excite fans with his youth.  I believe its because he has the talent, and the ability to pitch in this league, without anymore wasted time in the minors.

  Then comes the talent waiting in the wings. Montero has already pitched and succeeded at the AAA level. Yet, there he is again, maybe dominating, maybe struggling, definitely wasting his time, youth and arm. As for Thor, he remains young, he remains dominating (in some AAA ball innings), he also appears to be wasting his youth and arm strength.

  And there is still the curious case of Wilmer Flores.  The kid without a position.  The kid who remain pretty much a kid age (in baseball terms), and the kid who, like Montero, already played in an dominated the AAA level.  Yet, there he remains, in the desert, playing shortstop, and probably trying to figure out what went wrong. 

  Just ask yourselves this.  If Flores, Montero and Thor were all on the Marlins, what level would they be playing at right now?  Better yet, if they played for the Nationals (hello Harper), or the Angels (hello Trout), where would they be taking the field right now?

  Bottom line, I'm no true expert of anything.  I'm not a scout. I'm not a coach. I'm not a former player (unless you count being winning championship pitcher of my little league team).  I'm just a writer. I put my two cent on paper.  And I let the readers decide what to think.......... So, what do you think?