Reese Kaplan -- 2021 Might Be Mighty Grim

One thing I've learned while living in the USA is that hypocrisy is rooted deep within the psyche of all Americans.  Whether it's the pro-environmental rhetoric from folks increasing landfills with K-Cups and single plastic water bottles or being a Mets fan, the fact is you can take opposite sides of the same issues and somehow come out as fairly rationale no matter which side of the ledger you happen to fall upon that day.  

Recently I was saying how I think the Mets need to focus on the long term solution of building the team from the ground up, using the minors leagues not just as trade chips but as a true future road map for who will make the team.  We have witnessed over the past few years the selloff of upper level prospects and mid level prospects in get-rich-quick deals for individual players of varying abilities (mostly bad).  As a result, the upper levels of the minors are not exactly bursting at the seams with folks knocking on the major league door.

I advocated rethinking the whole process and was willing to exhibit patience while these younger players in A-Ball are being taught what they need to know and facing increasingly tough competition from the batters and pitchers they face.  When Frank Cashen took over the Mets it was not an immediate overnight success, but something that took a mix of imports and promotions until in 1986 the team finally hit the big time.  With AAA prospects the likes of Paul Sewald, Tomas Nido and others of questionable ilk, it doesn't appear that any short term fixes are likely to be found there.  Yes, David Peterson could be a starting pitcher.  Maybe Franklyn Kilome has some potential.  Ditto Drew Smith.  Still, none of them look to be future All Stars.

So, despite my praise for patience and my admonishment that Steve Cohen not simply try to buy an immediate pennant, I got to thinking how they're going to face the holes in the roster next year and it appears there may be some free agents and trades that need to be made.  I'm not going to get into the specifics of who must stay and who must go, but aside from Jeff McNeil, Dom Smith, Michael Conforto and Pete Alonso there are few who are young enough around which to build for the future.  

Obviously there is the battle of Amed Rosario vs. Andres Gimenez.  Then there's the contract size and length for hot hitting senior citizen Robinson Cano.  Then there's the strong bat and weak glove of J.D. Davis.  The same applies to Brandon Nimmo.  Ditto Wilson Ramos and his $10 million option for 2021.

The real issue continues to be the pitching staff.  With precious little available to trade other than the future in the lower minors, it would seem that some of the established major leaguers must be put on the block to see what they can net.  Remember that folks who have a few years of team control still available to their new employer are often valued higher than their stats would merit. 

Going forward I have a feeling we'll be looking at many second tier pitchers as both potential starters and relievers since the club is going to need several new bodies to fill the vacancies created by either expiring contracts or DFA status.  That means scouring the free agent pool, the waiver wires, the international options, and the rosters of clubs in need of hot hitting at DH.   Yes, I still abide by the build from the bottom up philosophy for the future, but there's a lot that needs to be done next year and I don't expect miracle acquisitions like Mike Trout or Clayton Kershaw.  It's going to take solid, if unspectacular, acquisitions using all means necessary to make the pitching staff take a few steps forward while hopefully not crippling what's finally seeming to be a functioning offense.  There's my hypocrisy for the day.