Mack: Where Should The Mets Go From Here? Part 2

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 31^st 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.