Some of Macks' Mets readers got passed over for the GM spot. HUH???
How that could happen, I just don't know. C'mon, Sandy!
If they were the GM, though, what would they have done?
Our reader, ZOZO, laid out this scheme for 2021:
I think for the first time in Mets history we should go over the luxury tax a bit. This way we can take advantage of a buyers' market even at positions than may be manned by someone already. And then we can trade our existing players at those positions to fill up our farm system or trade for pitching.
Here's the strategy:
1) Look to buy low on Didi Gregorius and Justin Turner and trade Amed Rosario and JD Davis for prospects.
2) Sign 2 of Hand, Hendricks, Bradley, Rosenthal or Yates. Then try and trade a Diaz, Lugo (worried about his arm falling off and Tanaka arm as well) and/ or Familia.
3) I would see if there is any validity to those Sonny Gray for Rosario rumors.
4) sign 2 of Odorizzi, Paxton, Walker, Kluber or Richards
5) sign Springer
6) sign 1 or of Gardner, Almora, Pedrson, Profar or Bubba starting for left field and reserve OF. Then trade Nimmo for some prospects. Does anyone think we are going to sign Nimmo long term? I don’t think so.
So I think this would be the best time to trade him, 2 years before free agency.
7) I would love to trade Nimmo and JD Davis for Carlos Carrasco who is a little bit on the old side ( I think 34) but who pitched very well last year and always has been a great pitcher.
8) sign Curt Casali or Alex Avila to be backup catcher
So my ideal lineup would be:
Springer
McNeil
Conforto
Justin Turner
Dom Smith (1B or LF)
Alonso (DH or 1B)
Didi
McCann
Gardner (LF or bench) or Pitcher
DeGrom
Stroman
Carrasco
Gray
Taijuan Walker/ Peterson/ Syndergaard
I think this brings us about $20 million over the cap, and we only lose our 2nd round pick.
We add 2/3 SP to our staff just in case we lose Stroman and Syndergaard at years end.
What do y’all think?
8 comments:
Nice job on this, Tom. I agree with a lot of it, though I don’t think that they are likely to go over the luxury tax number in year 1 (arbitrary ad that number may be) particularly with the last two years on Cano’s deal still on their books.
Springer, yes. Two more higher end bullpen arms (at least one a lefty) yes. Two starting pitchers not named Bauer, yes (I’m intrigued by the Japanese pitcher whose name I can’t remember cuz I’m old and still waiting foe my coffee to brew).
I would have my eyes peeled for a RHH 3B at the right price (NOT interested in taking on Arenado’s absurd deal) and Turner qualifies though I wouldn’t give him more than 2 years.
I’d keep Giminez at SS this season to gauge his progress. I feel like he has a chance to be an above average starter there.
I would do everything possible to keep the young core together: Smith/Alonso/Conforto/McNeil/Nimmo, If I could be tempted to trade one of them, it would be Nimmo, though I think he’s probably still a bit undervalued and my guess is that his next 2-3 years will be his best, so I’d rather keep him for this season at least.
My goals for this team are serious contention for the playoffs this season, and a real multi-year run at championships starting in ‘22. They’re close, but probably not going to climb the whole mountain in one offseason.
Hi Zo Zo,
Well thought out article. I like some of your ideas but I feel there are way too many moving parts to do that many transactions in one off-season. I am like Tom who believes they should try to keep there core in tact.
With that being said here is my off season plan:
Plan A: Springer: 4/90 Might be a pipe dream
Bauer 4/100
Hand 2/18-20
Plan B :Springer: 4/90
Sugano 2/24 or 4/40
Sign relief help: One of Hand or Hendricks
Make good deal for pitching, one of following: Kluber, Yates etc.
I know most fans are hoping the Mets overpay and get everyone but you have to realistic. I don't think the Mets will go over the luxury tax in the first year...be patient I truely believe we will when appropriate.
I would also look into trades. I believe we have some good chips like Nimmo, Rosario, JD Davis, possibly Smith only in a great deal. I would use these chips only and not deplete what little we have in the minors.
I think we could net a solid center fielder and or starting pitching. (not silly enough to believe we will get a star for those players)
If there is any money left I would fill in roster with a back up catcher, relief pitcher, 5th outfielder.
My goal for this team is to build a sustained winner and not overload our roster with albatross contracts such as Stanton, Canoe, even Springer/Bauer if you give them too many years.
Two excellent alternate scenarios in response to zozo’s own proposed roster. I think Springer will want a 5th year but maybe he could be held to 4 years.
If I had a choice of two free agents hypothetically...George Springer for CF or Dominic Smith for first base...I would add Dom who is on the incline and was amazing with the bat and Springer’s equal with the glove. So, if Dom is traded, the haul must be huge.
Killer relievers make killer teams...bad relievers kill heir teams.
I do like the more economical idea of Justin Turner. We just have to hope we don’t trade JD Davis and have him turn into the next Jeff Kent.
Man if you look at Turners numbers over the last 7 years he has been a hell of a player. He's put up big WAR numbers despite averaging only 125 games a year..when he is on the field he rakes. I can't believe how little he got from the Dodgers on his contract. He is going to be 36 next year but he likely easily outplays Davis.
I also like keeping the core (Smith/Alonso/Conforto/McNeil/Nimmo) together and kind of lump Gimenez in that core already. His glove and baserunning are so good they make him pretty valuable if he hits just a little. Upgrading 3B+CF make sense. I love the idea of short term Turner and longer term Springer. It would be such a great offensive lineup and the defense looks pretty good as well.
I have no idea what they should do about the pitching. I really think they minimally need 2 high floor guys (steps above Wacha/Porcello) and a LHRP.
Basically I'm on board with a lot of what Adam said. I think he is definitely right about the luxury tax. The Mets undoubtedly go over the threshold in 22&23 because of Cano. They also have to give raises (arbitration) to many of their core players and then need to replace/extend Stroman, Conforto, Thor, Betances and that will not come cheap. I guess its possible they go over this year but that also spending like drunken sailors and they have to have solid plans to get below the threshold by 24 or start facing some serious penalties (I believe you lose several draft positions etc).
Good afternoon fellas. Tom Thanx for putting up my comment, lol.
The reason why I feel they should go over the luxury tax, is to follow how Dodgers ownership went about things when they took control of their team. I believe it was the first offseason when they took on so much salary in that trade with the Red Sox? Did it work out well for them? I think it was 50/50 but they didn’t have to give up too much by bringing on those salaries.
Here is a link to see the trade I’m taking about
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/08/red-sox-dodgers-complete-nine-player-blockbuster.html
The Dodgers made their team a lot better by bringing on those players, but I think my strategy might be a bit better and you build the farm system at the same time. I also wouldn’t consider going over the cap this year if done smart “spending like drunken sailors”. I think it would be smart and thought out, so no cocktails needed. Lol
I know I offered a lot of different moving parts but if even most of these scenarios played out it would be thinking about winning now and in the future. My goal for GM for the day would be to build a consistent winner.
Dallas, Turner is a tempting target. It might also make sense not to bust the cap in 2021, keeping some powder dry for future seasons. Lots of bills will come due. But it is Cohen’s money...we need to think like a multi-billionaire.
Have always liked Turner. He would be a great pickup at the right price. This way we could stop the DJ Lemahiue talk especially if we have to overpay for him. Turner is a perfect fit even if he only plays 125 games a year. We have decent players to fill in. They could use Davis, Gimenez, McNeil, give Guilerme some playing time, etc.
The only problem would be if he would actually want to come back to NY after we gave him the boot. Wasn't it Sandy who sent him walking? Also, his value might have taken a hit after he exposed his whole team to Covid 19 virus during their celebration.
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