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

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 third 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 Two took a look at the First Basemen on the Mets' roster, which was not up to snuff, much like the Catchers before them. 

For Part Three, let's continue to move to our right and address Second Base.

Here is a list of players who have played Second Base at some point in 2018;

Asdrubal Cabrera (current starter) - 36 games

Wilmer Flores (utility player/back up) - 4 games

Jose Reyes (not really sure) - 2 games

Unlike the Catchers and First Basemen, I think AC's start to the 2018 campaign would play well with any contending ball club and he is clearly the team MVP so far and the biggest surprise in my eyes. However, much like everything else in Mets' land, there is a catch and it is the contract status of AC moving forward.  It is quite possible that he moves on to a different club in 2019, leaving a void at the position.  Identifying this issue is easy enough, but how do the Mets fix the problem and how long will it take?

1.  AC will play the rest of the 2018 season as a 32 year old in the last year of his contract, where he will enter free agency prior to the 2019 season. I will admit that he has played MUCH better then I thought he would (.928 OPS and on pace for a 4.0 WAR season), so I am enjoying my "crow" served lukewarm.  However, is this the proverbial "contract year" for an aging player in need of one more big contract?   If the Mets do retain his services, will he continue to produce like he has or will it become another regrettable second generation contract?  The Mets might be albe to flip him at the trade deadline (if the are out of contention), much like the Jay Bruce situation last year.  Or, they should thank him for his service and let him walk after the season to an AL club where he can DH as he gets older.

2.  As stated in the First Base edition of this series, 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, which includes 4 games at Second 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 Second Base).  He has one year of arbitration left (2019) before he reaches free agency in 2020.  He is passable defensively at First Base, but I would NOT play him at Second Base on a regular basis and I think he moves on after the 2019 season.   

3.  I cannot explain why Jose Reyes is even on the Mets' roster for the 2018 season, never mind considering him as an option at Second Base.  He does have 2 games played there, but it was likely designed to give AC a rest and not because of anything JR brings to the table at this point.  It may be viewed as "cold" but I would cut him tomorrow if I were in charge and I do NOT see him on the roster in 2019 (fingers crossed).

Farther down the "ladder" there are a few interesting names, such as Luis Guillorme (23), Gavin Cecchini (23) and maybe Philip Evans (25), who have yet to get an opportunity, but may be given one in 2019 in the event that AC leaves in free agency.  Outside of those on the 40 man roster, a dark horse candidate could be Jeff McNeil (if he stays healthy) or even a position switch for someone like Andres Giminez, but both of them are likely outside of the 2018/2019 window.

The question then becomes, if AC does leave, how do the Mets sort this out until one of the prospects are ready?