Eddie Corona - The Core

This offseason has left fans with mixed emotions… Have they done enough to fill the needs of team for 2017? Are they World Series contender? All good questions however I wondered if we won the 2017 World Series who would be around afterwards. What is the team’s “CORE”.

My definition of a team’s “CORE” is players who will be around 5-7 years. This is usually a combination of being talented, cost effective, and performance. The Cub’s have Bryant, Rizzo, Russell, Schwarber, Lester, Baez, and Arrieta. That’s a lot of names you know of who will form a CORE for years to come.

So who are in the Mets Core? Here’s my list…

In the Core:

Yoenis Cespedes – Acquired summer of 2015 and signed for 4 more years. That would put him at 5 ½ years total and in the middle of the Mets line up.

Noah Syndergaard - Most experts have proclaimed him to be the Mets Ace. His performance in the Wild card game makes that hard to argue. With 6 years left until free agency it is safe that he will be here through those years and hopefully beyond.

Jeurys Familia - Before the domestic violence case he was 100% in. I still suspect he is. His production, salary and lack of replacement mean’s he will not go anywhere.

Jacob Degrom – Probably the Rodney Dangerfield of the Mets. He always seems to have to prove himself. Well he may not be the Ace but he can pitch any big game we need for me.

Not in Core:

Jose Reyes & David Wright – Once the very definition of the team’s CORE however age and injuries have taken the core away from them. Thanks for the Memories

Travis d'Arnaud – May not last the year.

Asdrubal Cabrera, Neil Walker, Curtis Granderson, Rene Rivera, Addison Reed – all have a role in the 2017 Mets however may not be around in 2018.

Jay Bruce – Will not be on the 2017 team and shouldn’t be.

Matt Harvey - I may be his biggest fan but I may be one of the few… Many believe he will go for the last dollar which will probably not come from the NY Mets.

He had the look and the stuff of an ace. Our Dark Knight of Gotham which was good until he was blamed for 2 World Series loses that was not his fault.

Had Cespedes made a simple catch in game one of the World Series on the first batter of the game, then Familia’s game tying homerun would not have made a difference.

Had Lucas Duda been able to throw straight to home plate like 99.9 % of the major leaguers in game five of the World Series then wanting the ball would have been heroic not selfish. Then he was injured again. Alas I believe he will never be part of the future. If he returns to form then we will trade him, otherwise we will not sign him as a free agent.

Might be in CORE:

Steven Matz – He has age, potential and cost effective on his side. He has also been Injury prone. He may be the chip used in a blockbuster trade or he may be the number 2 starter besides Syndergaard for the next 5 years. It is still not clear.

Zack Wheeler – Many have soured on Mr. Wheeler but he was once thought of having a higher ceiling than Harvey or Degrom. 2017 will decide if he is in or out of the CORE… I believe in him.

Michael Conforto – See Matz and Wheeler Minus the injuries. Still all potential which I believe he will deliver on but could also be traded for other needs.

Lucas Duda - almost signed to a long term contract a couple of years ago. But a bad back and a “all or nothing” approach has made his outlook dull. With a young Dom Smith on the horizon and free agency looming, I expect this to be his last year.

Juan Legares - His reckless play on the field that makes him a joy to watch has also hurt his prospect for the future. If the front office can find a trade partner I expect they will part ways.

Like most teams we have more MAYBE’S than IN. However it is telling that we have so few IN’s that are position players. While there may be some on their way, Rosario or D. Smith, our CORE will have to be made up of pitchers for long term success. We could always trade one of our pitchers for players who would be part of a new CORE… 

So who would you add to the CORE…