Reese Kaplan -- Regrets, We've Had...None!

The poet John Greenleaf Whittier in his poem about Maud Miller penned the now famous words, “For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these, 'It might have been'.”

When the transition began from the heretofore inexperienced Brodie Van Wagenen into a front office position there were a great many fans up in arms about how he would take over the reins and build a winning ballclub from the rubble he was left.  People were screaming about trades, free agency and other means to improve the roster, but he sure zigged when most of us were calling for him to zag. 

Perhaps no other area was as controversial as the black hole behind the dish handled less than capably by mostly Devin Mesoraco and Kevin Plawecki after Travis d’Arnaud was lost yet again due to injury.  With no guarantee when the fragile backstop would be ready, fans were screaming for Yasmani Grandal to be signed as a free agent. 

The problem with Grandal (besides his post-season woes) centered around the issue of the qualifying offer and the draft pick compensation the Dodgers would receive from the Mets should they pony up the money for a long-term deal to bring the switch-hitting catcher to New York.  The last time the Mets acquiesced and paid up the result was not particularly good --  an over-the-hill former Colorado Rockie by the name of Michael Cuddyer.   

Grandal’s agent may be looking for another line of work as he wound up signing for just $16 million with the Milwaukee Brewers which is less than he would have made had he taken the QO from the Dodgers.  Now it’s not necessarily been a bad deal for the Brew Crew.  In 29 ABs, the 30-year-old Grandal has hit .310 with a home run and 2 RBIs. 

Also up for grabs and hotly debated during the off-season was the last of the Miami Marlins’ homegrown stud players, catcher J.T. Realmuto.  Now getting him was going to be more challenging as an in-division ballclub that had been pretty much skunked on the Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozunza trades.  In fact, there was a consensus that Derek Jeter was not going to let him go within the NL East unless players of the caliber of Noah Syndergaard were on the table. 

Inevitably he wound up trading within the division to the Philiadelphia Phillies and obtained another questionable package for his All Star catcher.  Thus far the folks in the city of brother love are not having much affection for the young Realmuto who has provided just a single home run, 5 RBIs and a lowly .200 AVG in the early weeks of the season. 

Somewhat surprisingly BVW was able to fly under the radar and secure the services of oft-injured but highly productive Wilson Ramos without sacrificing resources in terms of traded players nor draft pick compensation.  For his 2-year deal worth $19 million (AAV of $9.5 million) he has hit .400 with 6 RBIs.  They also hold a third year option for a $10 million salary.  Put that one squarely in the win column for BVW.

The Mets also apparently held a flirtation with outfielder A.J. Pollock during the off-season but were perhaps put off by his extensive injury history and his contract demands.  Thus far the Dodgers have gotten healthy production -- .283/1/9.  However, they paid big for Pollock’s services -- $55 million for 4 years plus a $10 million player option for the 5^th year.  That’s an AAV of $13.75 million.

BVW opted to do a little out-of-the-box thinking and convert rookie sensation Jeff McNeil from infielder to outfielder.  Thus far all McNeil has done is hit .409 at minimum wage.  While he won’t be mistaken for a Gold Glover in LF, that too looks like a big win for Van Wagenen. 

Of course, his other big FA acquisition which forced McNeil to the OF has yet to play a game – Jed Lowrie.  His infield compatriot, Todd Frazier, is allegedly near a return but to quote a biblical phrase, there may be no room at the inn for his services upon his arrival.  He’s not going to dislodge Pete Alonso from 1B, and 3B belongs to Lowrie when he’s healthy.  In the interim, newcomer J.D. Davis is hitting .280 with a pair of home runs and some devastating balls hit that have been caught. 

Obviously, Edwin Diaz has been a great success.  Robinson Cano’s track record suggests he will be a solid addition as well.  Keon Broxton has produced more than has Juan Lagares.  Justin Wilson is providing more good than bad.  Overall fans couldn’t ask for more than what they’ve gotten, even if he managed to resist the siren songs of Manny Machado and Bryce Harper.   Thus far no one is lamenting what might have been.