Mike Friere - Are We Good Enough? (Part Two)

The term "emotional roller coaster" is an interesting one and it is usually saved for people who enjoy some drama in their lives.   I am sure that everyone reading this article can think of a few people in their lives who match this description.  However, the term can also be used to describe larger groups of people (teams) and how their erratic performance can feel like you are riding a roller coaster.  Our very own Mets DEFINITELY meet that standard and the early portion of the 2018 season is visual proof.

Thinking about this turned my thoughts to the current roster and if it is truly "good enough".  What that means within the context of this article is "playoff or championship caliber".  If that isn't clear enough, ask yourself how many of our players would play a prominent role on a contending ball club, like the Astros, for example. 

In short, if the player in question would find a spot on a "good" roster, then they are "good enough".

This will be the second edition in a series of articles that will look at the Mets' roster and attempt to ask the question "are we good enough" from top to bottom.   This is a valuable exercise because it will highlight exactly how much work the Front Office has to do to get the team where all of us would like them to be.

Part One took a look at the Catchers on the Mets' roster, which was a bit on the scary side.  However, right after I submitted the article, the Mets dealt for Devin Mesoraco from the Reds which should be a upgrade in the short term (maybe this will continue as each article gets released).

For Part Two, let's move to our right and address First Base.

Here is a list of players who have played First Base (or have been on the roster), at some point in 2018;

Adrian Gonzalez (current starter) - 26 Games

Wilmer Flores (utility role) - 14 Games

Jay Bruce (regular outfielder) - 1 Game

Dominic Smith (AAA starter) - Zero Appearances

Much like the Catchers, do you see anyone on this list who would start for a contending ball club?  If it were 2010, then Adrian Gonzalez would be a "building block", I suppose.  However, at this point, I do NOT think this position is "good enough" and it is also in dire need of an upgrade.  Identifying an issue is easy enough, but how do the Mets fix the problem and how long will it take?

1.  AG will play the rest of the 2018 season on a minimum salary contract (if you    don't count the money that the Braves are paying him), before testing free agency or exploring retirement in 2019.  I will admit that he has played better then I thought he would (.751 OPS, 5 HR and 21 RBI) but he is still sporting a negative WAR for the year, which means he is a replacement level player at this stage of his career.  The Mets should let him walk after the season (if not sooner) and seek an upgrade at the position.

2.  For some folks, WF is the "poster child" for young players that have potential, but are simply not given an opportunity to develop.  He has played in several different spots this year, to include 14 appearances at First Base.  Despite the hype, he has also produced a negative WAR for the 2018 and a rather pedestrian .703 OPS (granted not all of which was accumulated at First Base).  He has one year of arbitration left (2019) before he reaches free agency in 2020.  He is a nice guy and a solid bench piece, but I don't see him on the roster beyond next year.    

3.  Jay Bruce has been a pretty solid Outfielder for his career, but for some reason the Mets have played around with the odd idea of converting him (partially) to First Base.  He has exactly 16 starts in his decade long career at the position, so it's not like he has a long track record of success.  Maybe it is a way to keep his bat in the lineup and give his foot a rest?  An entire article could be written on whether or not the Mets should have brought him back, but I don't see him offering anything more then an occasional "fill in" appearance at first base for the rest of his three year contract.

4.  Dominic Smith was supposed to be the future, but a poor/injury related start to Spring Training basically put him in Mickey Callaway's "dog house" and he has been in AAA, biding his time.  I hate to judge someone before they are given a chance, but I just get a feeling that he isn't going to be the savior that we all hoped.  I would love to be proven wrong, but I see a James Loney type of player who could start for an average team, but not what you want as your primary option on a contender.

Farther down the "ladder" there are a couple of interesting names, such as 23 year old "Pounding" Pete Alonso in AA and 21 year old Jeremy Vasquez in low-A.  One or both of them may supplant DS as the future at the position, but I don't think it will be in time for this season, or even the start of the 2019 season.

The question then becomes, what do the Mets do until one of the prospects are ready?