Ray Savage - SAVAGE VIEWS – Build Back Better

 

November 26, 2021

It’s time for the Mets to put on their big boy pants. Having an owner with unlimited funds and a desire to win now, the team needs to lock up some of the best free agents available.  Looks as though the 2022 edition of the Mets will have anywhere from eight to ten or more new faces.  With Syndergaard, Loup, Pillar, Villar, Conforto, Familia, and possibly Stroman, Baez, Davis and Smith as casualties, this offseason will obviously be challenging. 

The fan base is getting antsy and it’s necessary for the team to make a statement that they are not sitting on the sidelines while other teams make a splash.  Some suggested moves:

Stroman –  Bring him back – best FA without losing a draft pick . While at best a number three starter, he is a steady presence and can be counted on to be competitive in most games.

Replacing Syndergaard is more of a challenge.  I pictured him as our number two starter.  Carlos Rodon seems to be the best fit of the remaining free agents not requiring compensation.  Has the potential to be a solid number two or three plus he fills a need by adding a southpaw to the rotation.

These moves would give the team an acceptable rotation of deGrom, Rodon, Stroman, Walker and Carrasco with Megill and Peterson as depth pieces. 

Conforto looks like a goner.  Seiya Suzuki’s press clippings seem to suggest a very talented player.  If comparisons to Acuna are even remotely close to being true, all efforts should be made to bring him on board.  We cannot be overbid on this guy.

Sign Starling Marte to replace the combo of Pillar and Smith.  Marte is a true CF who has the talent to make the team better with his defense and speed.

 I’d like somebody to explain why if we sign a FA we lose the 14^th pick but get only the 70^th pick for Syndergaard and Conforto.

Sign Bryant as a replacement for Villar.  He is a strong right hand bat and can be the everyday third baseman the team desperately needs with the flexibility to play outfield when Baty is ready to take over that role.

Robby Cano seems to be the logical choice to be the DH which would make Davis redundant.

Let Baez go and make McNeil the regular second baseman.  If McNeil fails to produce as expected, Mauricio is waiting in the wings.

The bullpen needs to be upgraded with Loup gone and Familia on his way out the door.  Megill and Peterson can fill two of those slots while May, Diaz, Lugo and Castro are certain to return leaving two slots to fill.  At least one more lefty needs to be added and another power right arm.

If the Mets make the moves I suggest, Dom Smith and JD Davis would be superfluous and should be traded for prospects to improve their minor league depth.

 

Ray