We've all sat here expressing our dissatisfaction with all things Mets-related. We don't need to rehash the whole list of what's gone wrong. Suffice to say that no one was planning for the team being a handful of games under .500 as the club was facing the second week of September with no margin for error.
It's not a time to examine the players who are doing better than expected either. No one could have foreseen the offensive explosions from Dom Smith, Michael Conforto or Robinson Cano. No one doubted what Jacob deGrom could do in the rotation and no one expected a recovery by Edwin Diaz. No, this time we want to think about the players who are in new roles and who may change the shape of what the club will do with the roster in the future.
No piece can start off with anyone other than potential Rookie of the Year, Andres Gimenez. Did we all forget what it was like to have a Rey Ordonez, Bud Harrelson or Jose Oquendo type of shortstop? How good does it feel to know when a batted ball is hit anywhere between the second base bag and deep into the 3rd base hole that the guy assigned to corral the horsehide will not only do it, but will make an accurate throw to the nearest base.
So the Mets thought they had the shortstop position solved in the past couple of years with the increasing offensive production from Amed Rosario. Yes, there were times we questioned the minor league accolades for his fielding ability, but anyone who could deliver some power and speed from that postion certainly seemed like a strong bet for the next many years.
What happened? Well, when you show a true sports car next to a gussied-up performance vehicle, eventually the real sports car will win out. The fact that Luis Rojas has been able to shoehorn Gimenez into the lineup so often (and usually directly at Rosario's expense) suggests he's become a convert as well.
Does that development mean that Rosario will be leading the sales pitches the Mets will be making to obtain desperately needed starting pitching help for next season? It sure seems that way. You can always flourish with a deep bench, but a Luis Guillorme is more of the capable substitute whereas Rosario has much more trade value.
The similar debate must take place regarding Seth Lugo. Yes, we've all heard his arm and shoulder are tied together with a copious amount of duct tape, but the fact is he is getting people out. His 2-2 record isn't eye popping, but the 2.05 ERA sure is. He has 33 strikeouts in just 22 innings pitched, a WHIP of just 1.000 and has successfully started three games while saving three others. It certainly looks like he's working himself into the long term starting rotation plans. If so, then there will be some additional needs in the bullpen, but Lugo would be joining deGrom at the top of the rotation.
Unfortunately, that pretty much closes the book on starting pitching for the Mets next year and it would seem that good effort from Lugo would make him a viable choice. After that it's anyone's guess who they can find on the trade market or via free agency. Let's just hope it's no more Rick Porcello or Michael Wacha and instead people who have proven to be healthy, durable and productive on a consistent year to year basis.
8 comments:
Reese you said - "Did we all forget what it was like to have a Rey Ordonez, Bud Harrelson or Jose Oquendo type of shortstop?" Yes we did. Hopefully we will soon remember what it is like to have a catcher like Grote and a CF like Agee all on the field at the same time!
It would be nice if Sanchez could also hit like Grote. Grote was a lousy hitter early on, but became competent. Nido has a wide open berth to show he should stay and play and 2021. Chirinos? Ramos? Check the expiration dates.
Lugo is a great pitcher - and I believe he and Conforto are free agents after 2021. By 2022, the Matt Allens and JT Ginns better start being ready. Hey, whatever happened to Tom Szapucki?
I feel that Cohen signing Trevor Bauer over the winter will make a big splash and considering the Mets lineup would make us a top contender without trading anyone from a minor leagues.
Raw, I like it.
Remember that Trevor Bauer is already earning $17.5 million this year with Cincinnati. Even with his excellent performance in 20202, he's just an eyelash below a 4.00 ERA for his career. So do you want to pay Zack Wheeler money for someone inferior to Zack Wheeler? Yes, he would be a step in the right direction of providing the rotation a regular starter, but at what cost?
Reece who do you see Cohen signing to fill a starting pitching spot. I wasn’t that impressed with Stroman when he was with the Mets. I did not like him opting out of the season once he got his time in to reach free agency. Brodie said Wheeler wasn’t worth $30 million a year. I think Wheeler is proving him wrong. I don’t see the idea of a trade unless it is someone who is presently on the roster who they could do without. Definitely not from the farm system. We need to leave that untouched. Brodie killed the farm and probably still doing that with PTBN owed to many teams.
Do all agree that Stroman is gone or should the Mets make him a qualifying offer?
Given the dearth of starting pitching options for next season, I would indeed try the QO with him to reap a draft pick. If you're stuck with him, then you solved a problem for far less money and commitment than Bauer.
As to who the Mets should pursue, I mentioned earlier in the week Drew Smyly and Taijuan Walker, both of whom earning relatively little and having excellent seasons as they approach free agencies. The two of them together would cost less than Bauer. We need quantity and quality. If we spend all the money on Bauer then we have nothing to address the bullpen, centerfield and catcher.
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