Reese Kaplan -- So, Are the Mets Done Building Their Team Already?

It's been a whirlwind of baseball activity the past few days with notable free agents like Andrew McCutchen, Kyle Schwarber, Nelson Cruz, Jeurys Familia, Andrew Chafin, Freddie Freeman, Seiya Suzuki and others inking deals with new teams.  During this flurry of contracts guaranteeing there will be new real estate and motor vehicles gracing a lot of ballplayers' homes away from the ballpark, the Mets have been hard at work inking a minor league deal with Chase Shreve.  

Don't get me wrong, he's certainly not a bad choice and there is room on the minor league roster, but after seeing Chafin head to Detroit for pretty little money, it seems as if the Steve Cohen money train may have derailed.  

Well, it's possible that Billy Eppler is not yet done.  This week manager Buck Showalter stated that the majority of second base assignments will go to Jeff McNeil, hardly his double play partner's best buddy, and in stark contrast to the "he'll be traded" stories flooding the media.  

The corresponding move was the announcement that they expect twice PED-suspended Robinson Cano will be inserted as the newly created National League DH.  That's not a bad choice if he's capable as he's shown throughout his career save for his 2019 introduction to the Queens version of New York baseball.  How much is real talent and how much was the result of some artificial stimulants is a matter of debate.

It was heartening to read about Cano's apologies to the ballplayers on the Mets with many one-on-one calls and then a public appearance in front of his teammates to let them know he was ashamed of his behavior and will work to be a better leader on the team.  Earlier this week that spectacle was followed by Cano facing the media with the same message.  For the most part it was highly positive and consistent with what has been scripted by the front office.  

As long as he drives in runs the fans will likely embrace him.  It makes him part of a winning team and also opens up the slim possibility he could be traded.  However, if he performs like 2019 upon his arrival to the National League then all bets are off.

Eppler has been quite vocal, repeating the mantra that the Mets are not looking to add offense.  A great many fans were less than happy at that message given the lack of offense from catcher, the great unknown at third base, and a career .244 hitter named Mark Canha earning $13 million slated to take over for Michael Conforto in right field.  

No one knows what to do with J.D. Davis nor Dom Smith, but Eppler thinks he's done enough...is that an honest answer or one designed to make other teams come begging for some of the Mets players in trades?

Free agency remains the easiest way to add personnel and despite the active week thus far there are still some significant names out there unsigned.  On the offensive side of the ledger, Carlos Correa, Trevor Story and Nick Castellanos.  Michael Conforto, Jorge Soler and Tommy Pham are a bit of a step down but up for grabs as well.  

On the surface, none really seem to be a perfect match for the Mets.  Obtaining Correa or Story would mean either one of them or Francisco Lindor playing out of position with a very expensive Eduardo Escobar earning $10 million to sit on the bench.  Freeman is a first baseman but the last time I looked, so was Pete Alonso.  Castellanos could arguably be an outfielder worth sitting Mark Canha, but his defense calls to mind potential Lead Glove awards.  He's born to be a DH. 

No, the Mets are more likely looking for more bullpen arms with middle tier pitchers like Tony Watson, Archie Bradley, Mychal Givens, Joe Smith, Sergio Romo and Darren O'Day.  You may notice that many of these quality arms are very much at the tail end of their careers, but their overall experience could prove beneficial to help counteract the slowdown that comes with age.  

Smith and O'Day have a Mets history however brief.  The others are surely decent choices who I would entrust more than the AAAA crew from whom the Mets might draw for middle innings.  

So, Billy Eppler, what's happening next?