Reese Kaplan -- Go Big or Go Home

One of the key frustrations Mets fans felt during the Sandy Alderson era was the passive approach to reshaping the roster.  The free agents were always the 2^nd or 3^rd tier in quality.  Trades were seldom executed.  The primary source of new players seemed to be the DFA scrap heap. 

When Brodie Van Wagenen was surprisingly selected to assume the helm, many were not sure what to make of the agent-turned-GM.  He certainly did not waste any time trying to make an impression and during his first off-season made some splashy moves.  The blockbuster one, of course, was the trade of Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak and prospects Jared Kelenic, Justin Dunn and Gershon Bautista to Seattle for AL Saves leader Edwin Diaz and perennial All-Star Robinson Cano.  In addition to getting out from under the salaries of Bruce and Swarzak, Seattle kicked in some money to help offset the Cano contract.  Right now is not the time to debate the merits of the trade, but it did show creativity and an unabashed flair for thinking outside the box. 

In addition to this move, he also went on a free agent shopping spree, adding Jeurys Familia to set up for Diaz, All Star Jed Lowrie, pitcher Justin Wison and catcher Wilson Ramos.  He also inked a number of major leaguers to minor league deals, including Luis Avilan, Adeiny Hechavarria and others.  He was brash and told the rest of the league to watch out for the Mets.  He traded for J.D. Davis and Keon Broxton.  (You win some, you lose some). 

Now the results obviously haven’t been there, and for awhile I thought it was Sandy Alderson back in the front office as the in-season acquisitions were the DFA duds like Aaron Altherr, Wilmer Font and Brooks Pounders.  Although the club has played somewhat better of late they are still more than one or two players away from true contention.  Therefore, the question is how bold and dramatic should the moves be as the team approaches the July 31^st trading deadline?

The Conservative Approach

We’ve all seen this movie before.  Sell off expiring contracts basically for salary relief and B to D level prospects in the hopes that someone outperforms their draft pedigree.  It hasn’t worked out too well except to provide the Wilpons with some extra coinage to spend on whatever when payroll isn’t a priority.  There’s nothing new here that hasn’t been bandied about before – Todd Frazier, Zack Wheeler, Juan Lagares, etc.

The Middle of the Road Approach

Look to move some of the folks who carry some financial obligation or control beyond this year but whose impact on the roster could likely be sustained.  Wilson Ramos and Jason Vargas would be examples of folks in this realm.

The “Build a Dynasty” Approach

This is not exactly a blow it up and start over.  Trading Noah Syndergaard, for example, would not happen for some A-ball prospects.  The Mets would be looking for multiple AAA and maybe AA players who are ready to contribute a lot sooner than later.  Edwin Diaz would fall into this category as well.  Ditto Michael Conforto or Dominic Smith.  Assume that the walking wounded trio of Yoenis Cespedes, Jed Lowrie and Brandon Nimmo are off the table.  Trading away some of these folks won’t result in major financial savings right now, but Conforto and Syndergaard are reaching the stages of their careers where they are going to get increasingly costly.  If you could get multiple MLB-ready folks you’d have to at least think about it.  Then the money saved could go to patching holes on the free agent front. 

Frankly, I’m tired of the half measures done by BVW’s predecessors.  As Branch Rickey once famously told Ralph Kiner, we can finish in last place with you or without you.  While the Marlins certainly seem to have a long-term lease on the cellar, the fact is the Mets aren’t all that much better with the constant band-aid approaches.  Finishing 4th instead of 5th with a Jose Reyes instead of testing out a younger player long term only sabotages your draft position.  I’m all for being bold and trying to form a sustainable winner, rather than banking on a lot of elder statesmen to help tide you over and sell season tickets based upon what they once did when they were younger and healthier.  Look at the young nucleus of the Astros or Yankees or Braves and tell me you don’t envy what they have at many positions right now.