Mack’s Mets – the premier site for information on the New York Mets talent pipeline and dialogue on Mets prospects, Mets news, and Mets opinions.
Mack’s Mets – the premier site for information on the New York Mets talent pipeline and dialogue on Mets prospects, Mets news, and Mets opinions.
6 comments:
Good question Tom.
What would I do if I was GM.
Hmm…
1. I would correct the wrong done to Edgardo Alfonzo and add him to the PARENT club as bench coach for his amigo, Carlos Beltran. They ‘speak the same language… literally… and they could talk to each other in the dugout without at least half of the team not having any idea what they are talking about.
2. I would let Beltran make the decisions needed to complete ‘his’ coaching squad. Yes, I would make the Alfonzo decision, but I wouldn’t expect much push back for that. It’s Carlos’s job and needs to know he can make his own decisions.
3. I would make my first two phone calls to the gents for Noah Syndergaard and Michael Conforto and set the time to meet and begin serious discussions to extend these two through the 2023 season. My job would get a whole lot easier if these two were locked up for four years.
4. It would then be time to sit down with my manager and figure out what our needs are in 2020 to make this a great team.
a. First base is covered
b. Whether you like ‘the trade’ or not, the future HOF Cano has to be given the first glove here. At least, until he gets injured. Then, slot in the name of Jeff McNeil. So… second is covered.
c. Shortstop is covered
d. Third base is a big ??? Jed Lowrie will be on top of the flow chart, but two super ‘utility’ players will be ready to split time here if needed. McNeil was 4th in the league in 2019 in batting average. J.D. McNeil was 9th, just ahead of Cory Bellinger. The two of them also become my two primary utility outfielders. Combined. In 2019, they had 46-HRs and 132-RBIs.
e. Catcher wise, I am happy with Wilson Ramos in 2020. I would keep Tomas Nido as my backup until around the all-star break where I would re-evaluate that decision.
f. Starter wise, I am happy with our big four. I would immediately try to work out a 3 year, $45-50mil range deal with Zack Wheeler to hopefully bring him back home. Past that, I would return Seth Lugo to our rotation.
g. Reliever wise, Edwin Diaz is a lock for my closer. He had a bad year. Get over it. He’s 26, throws a 100 MPH fastball, and was considered by many the top closer in the business before last year. Past him, especially if Lugo becomes a starter, there isn’t much here to write about. This is where I would turn to my new analytical team to come up with three or four names of guys I could go after, either via free agency or within my own organization. I count at least five guys who played AA/AAA ball that could deserve a shot here.
(but, what do I know…)
Good strategies, Mack.
Here are mine:
If I were a GM, yi di di di di di di di di, all day long, I'd:
Try very hard for the incredible Cole - if I believed he would be Max Scherzer durable.
If not, try to re-sign Wheeler. I am hearing 4 years, $85 million for this scarce commodity - if so, that's a tough nut to swallow, but I do it if that seals the deal.
I do not think they will sign here.
If not, I would get one of the other top free agent starters out there, like Cole Hamels for a year. Or use Lugo there.
Pen: Add the available Daniel Hudson and Jake Diekman. And keep Lugo in the pen...if not, sign a 3rd legit pen arm besides Hudson and Diekman.
OF: Trade Nimmo for Marte to add OF balance and defense.
Or, to fix the OF for years, get Mookie Betts and a top minor leaguer for Thor and Nimmo or Gimenez. But only if you extend Betts. If Thor and Zack both go, then Lugo has to go to the rotation.
Rendon would be nice, but the infield has talent, and pitching is the priority.
Catcher - if I could trade Ramos for real value, I'd consider trying to sign Grandal if other major signings failed. I would desperately try to secure a back up catcher who could hit a lot better than Tomas Nido, and with the 26 man roster, add Ali Sanchez for defense.
This might well push the team above the cap for one season, but with Cespedes and other major salary relief coming at the end of 2020, and minor league pitching starters coming up by 2021, team salary should be held under the cap going forward. I would (assuming continued superior performance,), extend Alonso and McNeil after 2020.
Going above the cap this one year could allow this team to TRULY compete in the NL East over the next several seasons.
-Resign Wheeler
-Figure out your SP depth, Walter Lockette wont cut it
-SIgn Grandal, trade Ramos
-Sign the best 2 relievers you can
-Sign a backup OF that is defensively inclined
-Get a better backup C
-Determine ways to lock in your young guys cheap like Atlanta and other teams are doing. You can't keep a core that gets too expensive.
I could care less if they go over the salary cap, its not my money!
The Post-All Star Mets were a pretty good team. They were a few bullpen pieces away from clinching a spot. Upgrade defensively by replacing Ramos and keep the SP intact. The young core of McNeil, Alonso, Conforto, Nimmo, Rosario, Davis, Smith should not be broken up unless you get blown away. I think Davis and Smith are crucial bench pieces and insurance against injuries as well as plugging them in in interleague games in the DH spot.
Dallas
I forgot about Smith.
It has been a long time since I've seen THREE top utility plays that can play multiple positios:
Smith, McNeil, and Davis
Agreed. Dom Smith could stick around, now that there is a 26 man roster. I like him on it more than a defensive replacement catcher in Ali Sanchez, who needs a full year of AAA for his bat.
Smith is trade bait
Post a Comment