So, the sale is off and it is on to the
2020 season.
The 25-man is firm and, baring injuries,
we should have a decent season.
But, where do we go from here? No longer can we
dream of a quick fix of new money to sweep up top free agents like George Springer, Mookie Betts, or J.T. Realmuto.
No, Mets management has to begin now
operating that the ownership is not going to change come 2021, or even further.
You must operate this team with what you are given now, not what you dream
about when you go to sleep.
Beat reporters are writing that the team
is rallying around themselves in camp this year. Good. A positive attitude is a
must as we all try to now ignore the guys sitting in the corner office.
Our General Manager must learn from his
mistakes and start turning his mental process on how this team will operate, with
current ownership, past 2020.
Let’s assume the Wilpon’s allow him to
spend the same $188mil he spent this year.
The 2020 Mets payroll is
$188,292.500, with only $76,080 committed in 2021. Those players are:
Jacob deGrom $
21,780,000
Robinson Cano $
24,000,000
Jeurys Familia $
10,000,000
Dellin Betances $ 5,250,000
Brad Brach $ 1,050,000
That leaves over $100mil left for 2021,
plenty to land yourself some juicy pieces to add to this team.
Only Cano has a further financial commitment
from the Mets, contracted for 24 million dollars for both the 2022, and 2023
season.
Here’s what I would do…
-
I would try not to create another
elephant in the room, like the Cano contract, while, at the same time, try to lock
up key veterans to extensions using the $30-36mil range that will be paid to
deGrom from 2021-2023 as the high bar.
-
First thing first… I would exercise the
2021 option for the 6th best catcher in the business, per MLB.com… Wilson Ramos. I want to believe that Ali Sanchez or Patrick Mazeika
will develop into being an all-star behind the plate someday, but, if I
was a betting man, our first shot at new catching stardom will have to wait
until Francisco Alvarez makes the majors (ETA:
2023-2024). Ramos’ bat will carry him here, especially if that robot thing sets
in and framing becomes a thing of the past. That would increase the current
salary commitment by the team in 2021 by $7.75mil. As for Realmuto, he is above
the Mets paygrade. And, as for the Syndergaard mess using Ramos... fine, make sure the backup here is given the stamp of approval from your SP2. It will help keep him in a Mets uniform past his arbitration commitment.
-
Next, I would do everything I could
to extend Noah Syndergaard through the 2024
season. He would finish that year at 31-years old which is when pitching skills
go south. I would offer him a firm deal structured like Jake’s deal… sort of
$130mil over 4-seasons. The majors have 150 starting pitchers and I am sure
Thor is one of them. I don’t expect to be successful here because I just don’t
think he buys on to the ole rah-rah Mets thing that’s going on in the dugout
each night. Touch of Harvey here. I have no proof of this
-
I would add Marcus
Stroman to that Top 150 starter list and try and extend him through his
31st birthday (2022 season). Not in the range of Jake and Thor. He’s
currently making $12mil a year. I would top him off at $20mil.
-
I would either try to sell Jeurys Familia at the all-star break or eat the 1.5
years left on it before the 2021 season starts, so I have the maximum amount of
money available for free agents, both domestically and on the International
market. This was a bad deal and the Mets must own it.
-
I would try… I repeat… try and move Robinson Cano even though I know this could only
happen if two things happen. One, he stays healthy and hits around .280 up to
the all-star break, and two, I could find a club to split the cost of the
$24mil a year that is owed him for 3 more years. Again, the elephant is removed
and we have more money to move on.
-
Lastly, I would increase the amount
in International money that is allowed to be allocated and concentrate on
signing 3 top red-chip 16-year olds. That’s how the Yankees and Astros have
handled their international spending. Sign the most talented and bonus money be
damned.
9 comments:
I think they offered Grandal some good money and will go over the top for Realmuto. Especially since he was a Brody guy. Hopefully he doesn’t sign beforehand with Phillies, if not i would go in big on him. Just make sure you don’t give him a no trade clause, just in case Alvarez turns out to be the real deal.
Still holding out hope that Cohen gets the club and we can bid on Betts or Springer as well.
Mack, good plan. Problem is, Noah is hell-bent on replicating Cole success and Cole $$. I think Stroman will want more, too.
Like Zozo's catcher plan/
Zozo -
As long as both parties continue to live up to the non-disclosure agreement (i.e. shut up!), there is always a chance here.
But I believe this boat has sailed.
Tom -
fine on Syndergaard and Stroman. This game continues to evolve and a $250mil payroll will be the norm some day.
Paying star pitchers around a Jake template may have sailed.
Raise ticket prices.
I think a buyer will be found during this season. The MLB hierarchy is getting fed up with the incompetence.
Reese, having fans hate their team's owners has to get old for MLB after a while - a long while.
Mack, the cap will have to keep rising to keep up with the crazy money being doled out
Show Pete Alonso the money, please. He just may be the best thing that ever happened to the Mets, and I don't want to see him walk in five years.
Mack, working backwards:
- There is a cap on how much you can spend on the International Free Agents that wasn’t around back when the Astros and Yankees were loading up. As usual, the Mets are holding umbrellas when God is raining brains.
- No one is shelling out $12MM for a 39 year old second baseman. Sorry. If he can go to 3B, fine, otherwise cut him and put Davis at 3B and McNeil at 2B and go to war. BVW is a reckless GM.
- why are you cutting Familia without giving him another chance? What is there to lose?
- Thor would take a good deal and he has two more years to free agency. Offer him a 4/$80, and see how fast he takes it. How are you offering him 4/$130?? You are giving him $32.5MM before he goes to free agency? Stroman, I’d let walk.
- Lastly, I’d lock up Conforto with the same 4/$80 because his analytics scream breakout. I don’t think they should wait. Put Nimmoin LF and find a real CF.
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