Reese Kaplan -- How to Use the Forced Time Off From Baseball

Today is not going to be a sermon on who is right or wrong in the negotiations for the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) which has put all player moves on hold during the owner lockout of the guys who actually throw the ball, swing the bat, run the bases and make the catches.  No, instead we will look at how the Mets can use this time period of forced roster inactivity to address other nagging issues.

First and foremost is the question of who will manage Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, Starling Marte, Pete Alonso and company if and when the season resumes.  We've considered the pros and cons previously about newcomers to the role vs. experienced veterans.  There are pros and cons to each approach.  How the Mets proceed is right now anyone's guess.

To hear the media reports and blogosphere, it seems that Buck Showalter remains at the top of most people's lists.  He has a long resume as a manager, having served that role for 20 years for the Yankees, Diamondbacks, Rangers and Orioles.  He does have a positive won-lost record during that long tenure despite leading some not very good teams.  He has three first place finishes which, in a 20-year span, is not all that impressive.  He's been out of the game as a manager since 2018, so at age 65 he has three full seasons of inertia to overcome.

While I cannot say he's a bad choice, my issue is more about the approach to the game.  It is not a matter of age.  I'm closer to 65 than I am to Max Scherzer's 37.  It is a question about what he has done to embrace the way the game has changed during his absence and whether or not this time away is going to force him to pull a bunch of all nighters with respect to metrics since that direction seems to be the core principle by which most teams operate.

Of course, the plus side is that he's comfortable in New York and in front of the media.  That change alone from the Mickey Callaway and Luis Rojas types is worthwhile, though a long track record with the lineup pencil in hand didn't help the Mets when Terry Collins was in charge.  Of course, to be fair to the Wilpons and their sometimes odd decision making, Terry Collins had a 12 year gap between when he left the Angels and when he came on board at the helm of the Mets.  Some might think that more than a decade away from the role would have been a neon red flag against his hiring, and as it turned out he became the losingest manager in club history. 

Whenever they do land a new manager (Showalter, Bochy or my personal choice, Shildt), they also need to think about a coaching staff to help this newly designated boss to help win ballgames.  Usually it is the manager who makes the call on who they would most like to hire into these roles.  Without a manager on staff, it's somewhat pointless to speculate on which names are prospective future Mets coaches. 

The whole President of Baseball Operations (POBO) search that fell flat on its face may get revived a bit since the front office is not going to be doing player negotiations during the lockout period.  If the rumors of David Stearns from Milwaukee after the 2022 season concludes, then shelve this whole part of the thread.

However, if the recent spending spree which was jet fuel to the attractiveness of working with Steve Cohen and the Mets worked with the media and fans, what did it do to prospective candidates for the POBO role?  One would think some who were distancing themselves from this opportunity prior to this past week may be having some fresh "jumping ship" thoughts rolling around in their heads.

Finally, while the time cannot be used to make trades or sign free agents, it's a bit of a new-found holding pattern to give Billy Eppler and company the opportunity to decide who should and who should not be a part of the 2022 team that takes the field.  For example, right now people are wondering if the outfield includes Starling Marte and Brandon Nimmo in starting roles, but who gets the other corner slot?  Is it Dom Smith?  Mark Canha?  Jeff McNeil?  A free agent?  Some arriving via trade?

Similarly, the 1-2 punch of deGrom and Scherzer is formidable, the follow up of Taijuan Walker and Carlos Carrasco makes many folks roll their eyes at the prospect of how much they will contribute towards winning.  Then add on a fifth starter from the in-house options of David Peterson, Tylor Megill and others have not had full seasons of major league experience.  Consequently, many feel the Mets need to add at least one more solid starting pitcher.

The bullpen is in somewhat a state of flux, too, with the departure of key lefty Aaron Loup for much green pastures in Anaheim.  Gone, too, are Jeurys Familia and Robert Gsellman as well as other relievers of limited use this past year have been cut loose from the 40-man roster.  With Edwin Diaz, Seth Lugo and Trevor May they should be fine at the 7th, 8th and 9th inning.  However, before that you have Miguel Castro and a slew of others who were undergoing health issues.  Another solid arm or two would certainly help.  

Finally, assuming the catching duo is pretty much set, there are still infield questions to answer.  Is Robinson Cano going to be healthy enough (and PED-free) to pencil into the lineup every day?  If so, is he at 2nd base, 3rd base or DH (assuming one is added after the lockout and the new CBA begins)?  What about Jeff McNeil?  How about J.D. Davis?  What do you do with Eduardo Escobar?  Even if the roster manipulations cannot be made during the lockout, some decision making can take place.  

While it's going to be a long period of frustration and inertia when it comes to players, don't expect the recently frenetic Mets to sit still.  A lot needs to be done and should be done during the month of December.  Where the chips fall is anyone's guess.