Mike Freire - Fill In The Blank(s)

Do any of you remember the game "Mad Libs" from your respective childhoods?  It was a game that you probably played with one of your siblings on long car rides or during family "get togethers" once things got boring after a few hours of "the adults" droning on about work, etc.

In short, one person held the note pad and had access to a basic story, but there were random words left blank.  The other person would provide answers to the listed blank spaces with nouns, verbs and other designated word types without knowing the actual context.  Once the story was completed, the initial person that jotted down the words would read the "story" out loud and hilarity ensued (especially if you used a few less then acceptable words along the way, but only out of earshot of your folks, of course).

Despite this age of computers and the internet, you can still purchase the game if you are interested (that is if kids know how to use a pencil and paper anymore).  With that said, the game reminded me of how the Mets used to construct their rosters, or at least it seemed that way.  Random baseball players were added to the team without much consideration for the greater context of the roster.  Much like Mad Libs, once the actual season started, hilarity would ensue on the field instead of in the back seat of the car you used to ride in.

But, as most of you know, the Mets have anointed a new leader and there actually seems to be a plan in place.  The final story has yet to be written, but even the most die hard pessimists in our midst have to be somewhat intrigued by how the team is coming together.

As a quick side note before we proceed, I believe that a basic roster should be constructed in the following fashion (give or take a position or two);

Five Starters
Seven Relievers (includes one or two long relievers and at least one closer)
Starting Infield and Outfield (eight players)
Bench Players (five in this configuration)

***Obviously, the starters and relievers should be a collection of left and right handed players for match up purposes and depth.  Your bench should have back up options behind the plate, in the infield (corner and middle) and the outfield.

With that said, let's identify what "blanks" we have left and see if we can fill them in with the best possible TEAM players before the Mets report to Spring Training in approximately nine more weeks (crazy, I know).  For the sake of everyone's attention span, I will only list the vacancies that I see at this point in the off season instead of the entire 25 man roster.

I am also listing them in my preferred order of importance, but feel free to disagree or add you own perspective in the "comments section".

1.  Center Fielder (starter) _________________________

***I do not trust Juan Lagares and I think he is either playing for someone else fairly soon OR he is one of our bench players offering OF depth.  My early vote here is for Adam Jones on a short term deal.  A good veteran who will slide into a 4th OF'er role once Cespedes is healthy enough to return.

2.  Left Handed Reliever (or two) _________________________

***Still a pretty glaring lack of left handed options in the bullpen right now.  If BVW can upgrade the starting rotation, maybe Jason Vargas moves to the bullpen in a long reliever capacity?  Despite this possibility, the Mets still NEED a dominant left handed option for late in games.  My vote is for Zach Britton, but Andrew Miller would also fit the bill.

3.  Fifth Starter (left handed preferred) _________________________

***This spot belongs to Jason Vargas for now, but I think BVW wants an upgrade here and I would not be opposed.  In the event that a starter can be added, JV moves to the bullpen as stated above.  The questions is "who is available and affordable that is better then Vargas?"  If this doesn't occur, then this need would be switched to another left handed reliever or specialist.

4.  Middle Infielder (bench) __________________________

***It will be hard to fill the void left behind by Jose Reyes, but we must try, right?  With the other options on the wish list, there may not be much money left to address this need, so it may come from within.  Or, perhaps Jeff Wilpon extends the budget a bit and we can land someone like Marwyn Gonzalez?

5.  Catcher (back up) _____________________________

***I would be shocked if TDA and/or KP are still on the roster by the time everyone shows up in Port St Lucie.  TDA has a pretty high contract amount for a #2 (north of 4 million dollars), plus the dude is more injury prone then our friend Juan Lagares!  KP is a much cheaper option, but I think we can and should do better.  Why not pick up free agent Martin Maldonado, who is a defensive wizard and would be cheaper then TDA?

6.  Outfielder (bench) ____________________________

***Until Cespedes returns, there is a need for a fifth outfielder to round out the bench, even with my suggested signing of Adam Jones.  By this point, money will be in short supply, so this spot will be filled by an internal option or a very cheap veteran.  It wouldn't hurt if the player could play multiple positions, either.  Maybe Dominic Smith hangs on here just in case there are issues with The Pounder?

Enough of my babbling, who do you got?