SAVAGE VIEWS – New Beginnings

 

February 18, 2021

Spring training is almost here and Met fans are optimistic after a rather busy off-season.  However, there are a couple of moves that could bring the team to the next level.  Two major holes remain to be filled.

In one of my earliest posts, I identified third base and center field as positions of need.  The Mets are heading into Spring Training without having fully addressed these needs.  The addition of Almora and Pillar give us competent fourth and fifth outfielders but neither fills the role of an everyday starter.

There has been speculation about trading for Kris Bryant.  The general feeling is that his large contract and underwhelming performance in 2020 will enable the Mets to acquire him without giving up elite prospects.  Adding Bryant means Davis becomes superfluous.  Davis would have to be either part of the trade for Bryant or moved elsewhere.  I would not trade for Bryant.

Imagine instead packaging Davis, Smith, Vientos and a mid-level prospect to acquire either Matt Chapman or Eugenio Suarez to take over third base.  Such a move frees up a roster spot to sign Bradley. These two moves would not only improve defense at three positions but the team would be an offensive powerhouse.

All of us are reluctant to trade Dom Smith but with the DH still a question mark, it’s going to be difficult to live with his glove in left.  Trading for Chapman or Suarez means getting quality for quality.

Most likely injuries will play a major role in determining which team becomes the beast of the east.  I’m relatively pleased with the five bench players scheduled to start the season.  I’m a firm believer that a strong bench will make a huge difference.

I’d be surprised if McCann catches more than 120-130 games.  That means Nido will be behind the plate anywhere from 35-40 games this season.  No one really knows what to expect from Nido although he looked good in a small sample in 2020.

My expectations for Nimmo are pretty much the same.  Brandon seems to find a way to land on the DL.  Hopefully the duo of Almora/Pillar fills in well especially against lefties and during periods when Nimmo is not available.  I also expect Conforto and McNeil to miss some time.  Thus, the importance of a strong bench cannot be understated.

As of this writing, I’m a bit concerned about the lack of depth in the starting rotation.  There will be injuries and cases when a SP is shut down for a start or two due to fatigue or some other reason.  I’m not confident there is anyone currently on the roster who can fill the void.

The bull-pen looks like a strength even with Lugo likely to spend at least four weeks on the DL.  Bringing in Rosenthal could be a difference maker.

At this Stage, the Braves are the class of the division and the Mets have closed the gap a bit.  Unless Syndergaard comes back by June 1^st and is the top of the rotation starter we expect, the Mets can only project to be a wildcard team.  If they remedy the third base and CF positions by adding Suarez or Chapman plus JBJ, I would put them on par with the Braves.

Any way you look at it, it’s a great time to be a Mets fan.

 

Ray