"Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em."
In years past it was kind of an accepted reality that the
baseball winter meetings were the official kick off of the Hot Stove season
where trades and free agent signings were either consummated or at least the
groundwork was laid for future movement.
Things changed over the past many seasons where clubs who are
aggressively looking to improve began securing new resources the very day they
were eligible to do so. Others stumble out of the gate.
Right now the Mets are following the same path as the most
proactive front offices in the majors.
After all, when the Braves went out and signed Cole Hamels to fill a vacancy
in their rotation and the Phillies secured the services of Zack Wheeler, the
Mets were keeping pace by signing Stephen Gonsalves. Woo hoo!
Thursday the Rays made a puzzling trade, sending Tommy Pham
to the Padres for low-average slugger Hunter Renfroe and minor league infielder
Xavier Edwards. The Mets kept pace by
trading for career .227 hitter Jake Marisnick from the Astros. Way to go, Brodie!
If the season opened today, it’s a question as to who would
man third base. It could be Jed
Lowrie. It could be Jeff McNeil. It could even be J.D. Davis. There were a few good third basemen available
in the free agent marketplace. The
Brewers moved aggressively to ink Mike Moustakas to a multi-year deal while
Anthony Rendon awaits wining and dining by various interested parties.
It’s no secret the Mets need a catcher to work with Wilson
Ramos. Consequently, it was a little
surprising to see that Alex Avila, Steven Vogt, Travis d’Arnaud and others have
already been signed, while as of this moment Tomas Nido is penciled in for that
backup role.
However, the biggest issue for the Mets this off-season has
to be the bullpen, so you know they would be right at the front of the line
looking to make improvements. However,
it was the Braves once again making Will Smith the new Fresh Prince of
Peachtree Street while the Mets actually got weaker, dealing away prospective
lefty reliever Blake Taylor.
Many feel that the newly crowned King of Queens, Steve
Cohen, will be the financial panacea that will once again enable the Mets to be
perennial contenders, but as of this juncture no one is sure when the man’s
influence (and deep pockets) will translate to shopping in the Big Boys section
of the free agent store.
"Come not within the measure of my wrath"
It would seem that going into this off season the priorities
were clear – improve the bullpen, find a fifth starter, find a backup catcher
and find a defensive-minded centerfielder.
As the flights leave for San Diego, it seems the Mets still need to improve
the bullpen, find a fifth starter, find a backup catcher and find a STARTING
CALIBER centerfielder. In other words, for
Mets fans,
"Now is the winter of our discontent."
5 comments:
An article that screams, “ We need Cohen...NOW!!!”
Reese good write up as usual. Moustakas was signed by the Reds not Brewers.
Can some new reporter find out actually how this whole Cohen takeover will work?
When is the earliest he will be approved by owners?
Can he invest more money now to pick up players?if not now than when?
Has anyone interviewed him yet? He must be loving it that he is the savior for so many of us distraught Mets fans?
Guys don't fret we got Marisnick! I just saw that the Phils are interested in Rendon AND Strasburg so even if they add just one coupled with the Braves aggressive off season we're left in the dust again and I can't see BVW making it through another year if this off season isn't great. Stevie we need you NOW PLEASE!!!
Oh Man I forgot we signed Brad Brach so we really can relax now and wait for spring.
Cohen will be allowed to enter the ring once:
1. The league approves the sale
and...
2. He has in his pocket at least 51%
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