Earlier this week Sandy Alderson held a press gathering in which he was actually composed and seemingly in control. He fielded a great many questions from the reporters there to inquire about a number of topics and while he didn't give anyone "news" about anything, he came across as confident and calm.
If, however, you approached any gathering of Mets fans or bloggers, particularly after a few adult beverages, you would likely get a very different reaction to the state of the Mets. Yes, there are a great many problems that must need to be solved in time, yet no one seems to agree upon the priorities for doing so. Let's take a look at some of the issues.
Front Office
There's not a lot of new ground to cover here. Sandy Alderson did convey that the Mets are looking now for a GM and put the POBO on hold. He then expects that the GM will initiate the search for other necessary personnel.
The name Adam Cromie who was regarded as a rising star in front office authority when he worked for the Nationals. He's been out of baseball for four years working as an attorney, but he has experience as an Assistant GM and gained it at a very young age. On paper he sounds like a promising candidate and since he's not working for any other club, there are no logistical obstacles to making an offer if they choose to do so.
Manager and Coaches
During this press event Alderson pointed out that only the Oakland A's stand as competition to hire a manager once their former leader Bob Melvin headed south to San Diego. When you think about it, he's right. There's not nearly as much pressure to find the perfect candidate here as there is in the front office. Then that manager will work with the front office to find an appropriate slate of coaches to accompany Jeremy Hefner.
Starting Pitching
Everyone is well aware of the rotation as it exists today. You have a recovering Jacob deGrom, a recovering Carlos Carrasco, the good and bad Taijuan Walker and a lot of question marks for the next two slots. Tylor Megill is one possibility. David Peterson is another. A Qualifying Offer has been extended to Noah Syndergaard but he has neither accepted nor rejected it at this point.
There are six starters but most folks would feel a whole lot better if there was another solid and healthy starter added to the mix. The Mets allegedly are going to be disinterested in the players for whom draft pick compensation is attached if they turn down their QOs.
That means some of the show stopping names are likely not in the conversation. However, there is no QO associated with Max Scherzer and none with Clayton Kershaw. Expect them to kick the rather expensive tires on these two before swallowing hard and sacrificing their round 14 draft pick.
Relief Pitching
The conversation starts (and perhaps ends) with the name Aaron Loup. The gaudy 2021 stats are only one part of the reasoning. He proved he was not swayed by playing on the big stage in New York. He earned only $3 million in 2021. By comparison, departing free agent Jeurys Familia earned $10 million.
A figure somewhere in between for a setup guy such as doubling his base to $6 million for the guy who will turn 34 as a non-closer. Beyond that they could use some fodder to take extra innings. Edwin Diaz, Trevor May, Seth Lugo, Miguel Castro and Drew Smith all should be in the mix for bullpen roles, too. Trevor Williams could be there, too.
Second Base
Take your pick -- Robinson Cano, Javy Baez, Jeff McNeil -- any of them should provide better than league average production and decent defense. A lot depends on how overboard Steve Cohen plans to be when it comes to payroll. If he indeed goes for Baez, then the Mets need to figure out where to play Cano and McNeil.
Third Base
This equation is tied to the second base one. Jeff McNeil is a definite possibility if someone else gets the role at 2nd. J.D. Davis is still on the roster but not very adept with the glove. Many are voicing the opinion that Jonathan Villar should be invited back.
Outfielders
As outlined earlier this week, the now-gone Michael Conforto opens up one role at minimum. Brandon Nimmo will play somewhere -- left field or center field. The question is whether the Mets want Dom Smith in the other role, would J.D. Davis enter the mix or would Jeff McNeil resume the outfield role if others take over the infield. Or will the Mets look to acquire someone from the outside?
So what is your opinion about the sequence of priorities for the Mets?
15 comments:
GM and pitching. Assuming Mr Fragile remains the ace for however long, and an old Cookie, i you intend to compete, you need a starter. Maybe they try to skate by with a re-sign of Over-The-Hill.
My opinion is that the Mets should clean up their roster. Many years of stupidity are now manifest in a foster that has two second base options and a third that is in the market, not much of a good third base option but plenty of almost ready prospects that it appears decision makers won’t trust. Just stupid thinking and after stupid thinking makes them get an expensive second baseman when they already have one, and the impatience to allow their youngsters to get a chance.
I would swallow the bitter pill of losing PCA for nothing and let Baez go. Don’t sign a QO and use the Conforto pick to supplement PCA. Then, use what players you have to see what you have. The Giants just won 107 games when no one expected it because they had a real manager that had learned some lessons in Philly. Get a real manager!
Buildup you pitching, and see what your system has. Next winter, cut the fat.
I disagree Tom, pitching is always a commodity. Screw Bryant and Baez, they have hitting. Get arms that can be with you down the road. Rodon is a must almost. Then, get another good starter that doesn’t cost a pick. Get a corner outfielder, and a manager that can control a game and a team! That’s what they need! That’s it. Stop the stupidity! Find a GM with balls AND brains that will tell Cohen to relax and let the team’s talent show itself. Problem is next year there aren’t many good free agents, but need to stop the knee jerk decisions.
Gus, I hear ya. I am quite reluctant to consider Baez or Bryant because they are 1) expensive. 2) many year, 3) years of decline built in. Rodon is a yes. Should have included him. Rich Hill should only (if at all) be a fill in starter/reliever.
Yes, and get a floor general manager. It's baseball, not chess.
1. GM
2. Mgr and coaches
3. Sign Thor, Loup, Javy
4. Extend Nimmo and Pete
What about Stroman as he pitched well and fills the 2 spot AND no QO. I also like Alex Wood and Kershaw because we need depth. So much hinges on Jake so we just have to hope he stays healthy build around him and have a plan B if he isn't or if we're not in contention then begin the fire sale. Why does it always seem that we have like half a dozen DH's and no DH but hopefully we will next year. Don't you just love the modern athlete as Noah has the really "tough task" of deciding whether or not to take the $18 million after not playing for 2 years. Great gig if you can get it.
Mack and others that want them to sign Baez, while I agree that he’s a good player, how is he a fit? How do you negotiate your youngsters if you keep signing free agents, and where does everyone play if you don’t just sell low on a few players and then get aggravated when you see them do well next year for Seattle, Oakland, Tampa, or whoever else is smart enough to grab a cheap asset and give it a chance?
I hope whoever takes over has the authority and willingness to take a step back and not make careless decisions like BVW did and I also hope Sandy Alderson can get the heck out of the way and let him do his job, because for all the years I’ve seen Alderson build a team, the only reason why they played in deep October was because of their pitching staff and an opportunistic hitter or two. Maybe they could heed that thinking again?
Gus, I still like the idea of trading Jake for major multiple prospects and doing a 1 year reset. By 2024, have a young super team not riddled with age and aches. Radical short term, but great dividends longer term.
Good article, Reese.
I agree that the situation isn't as dire as the media would l like you to believe. With the likely work stoppage next month, the team may have quite a bit of time to figure all this out.
With that said, the eventual front office that gets hired (GM now, POBO next year) is an important step in the process. BUT, what's missing is a need to greatly improve the team's player development and athletic training. That's what separates the good teams with strong farm systems and teams like the Mets. Maybe that's already begun and we will start to see the benefits moving forward, but I hope the new management "tag team" puts as much emphasis on this as they are doing with analytics.
Oh and as far as personnel goes, I like the idea of another reliable starter, as well as bullpen depth.
We could also use a regular third baseman (Bryant, maybe) and legitimate center fielder (Marte?).
But, I don't want to block second base long term (Mauricio's eventual position) with another mega contract, so
let Baez walk and use McNeil for a year or so, since he is still a bargain.
Cano? Eh, I hope the NL gets a DH......and maybe he can fill in at 2B and 3B once in a while.
Get Sandy to retire after the GM is in place. (Mack will like this one hah).
After that, start by bringing back the key bp arms, pitching and more pitching.
Sign good bench players.
Absolutely spend the money signing on what is needed, a CF. Marte.
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUNSTANCES SIGN EITHER BAEZ OR BRYANT. Because if you do, what's the point of having a minor league system where players like Vientos, Baty and Mauricio cannot reach the majors with their team?
Viper, I agree with your “Do not under…” The kids deserve a chance.
good article . .there are a lot of things to address;
Once again, I tend to agree with Mack. A GM, manager and coaching staff are needed soon. Then the vision for the team can be done.
My vision if I am the GM .. sign Thor, Loup, and Baez. I rewatched that clip of Stroman tagging Soto out on the play at third after Villar muffed up the toss from Lindor at second. It was Baez (in addition to Stro) that made that play. Heads up baseball, perfectly played. That is the kind of player I want playing second base. Sign him.
Starting pitching is a priority. Carlos Rodon, Jon Gray, Alex Wood, Anthony DeScalfani top my list of free agents. Luis Castillo and Sean Manaea are two trade targets.
Outfield is the next priority. Marte and Rosario are the guys on my list.
Finally, the bullpen, even with Loup needs another arm .. bring back Familia on a one year deal? I'm not opposed.
Remember, I need to remember your post. Very good point on Baez. I am willing to add Stroman into that mix of pitchers except I think Stroman is dreaming B I G!
I agree . .I'd love to see them re-sign Stroman. I'd like to have another lefty which keeps me on Rodon, and I just think of Gray being an excellent pitcher in Colorado .. how would that translate in Citi? - most likely better if he can pitch in NY. We already know Stroman can, but as you say, I think there will be quite a market for him and his $$ will be quite high. Not sure where Gray or Rodon will land, although you have to figure less than Stroman if their teams didn't offer them the Q.O.
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