The next 2 1/2 weeks will be very telling about whether Billy Eppler and the Mets truly think that their 2022 team is World Series contenders.
The present is now coming face to face with the future.
The Mets have two future hall of famers at the front of the rotation; the best closer in baseball; a lineup built to succeed in close games in the post-season---scrappy, works counts, walks, and steals bases. Along with the top power hitter in franchise history. They play good defense and are well managed. In addition they have a deep if up and down bullpen.
What they are short on is power from the DH position, a little bullpen help, and a bat off the bench. But they could also make a major splash. Names such as Luis Castillo, Josh Bell, Willson Conteras; and probably a few stars that haven't been mention.
The Mets have been reluctant to part with their top prospects and rightly so, especially after the debacle of losing Pete Crow-Armstrong for 2 months of Javy Baez. PCA was in line to replace Nimmo in '23, '24, but that ship has sailed.
The other half of the equation is the Mets have upwards of 10 starters closing in on free agency. Core players such as Nimmo, deGrom, Diaz, Bassitt, Walker; and role players such as Lugo, May, Ottavino, Trevor Williams to name a few. Even with Steve Cohen's deep pockets can we really afford to sign all of them?
The Mets want to hold onto their top prospects because they need them to fill holes as starters VERY soon. Baty has to fill third; Alvarez is coming up on catcher; and Vientos can play the JD Davis whole that has been a black hole all season.
If we want sustained success we can't sacrifice these future starters like we did with PCA, but if we want to win now, something's got to give.
If the Mets are in it to win it, they need to make a splash. A power bat, a lefty reliever, and a reliable set up man.
So here are my predictions--Mets go for it:
- Nelson Cruz acquired from the Nationals for RHP-Carson Seymour
- Andrew Bentitendi for 1B-Dom Smith, RHP-Eric Orze, James McCann and cash
- Luis Castillo, Mike Moustakas, Alexis Diaz for Ronny Mauricio, Nick Swack, JD Davis, and Colin Holderman
- Trade Carlos Cortes for Andrew Chafin
- Call Up Alvarez
5 comments:
Jeremy is right about that - the Mets need to "go for it" with their roster aging and free agency looming.
I agree that we need to get value out of Smith & Davis who each have shown potential but are now mired well behind the rest of the current players.
I hate the idea of bringing in old (Moustakas) to supplement kinda old (Escobar) but somehow we have to challenge EE to either put up or fold.
Benetendi is too expensive. Canha is great for this lineup - helps run up counts, finds ways to get on base and move the line. We have Jankowski who played really well when he was a defensive replacement and pinch runner - just not someone to count on for hits.
I think that the money or prospects that you would spend for Benetendi should be spent on a left handed reliever who can get three batters out including the most threatening left handed batter on the opposition.
100% on target with the thought process here, although I tend to agree more with Paul on the deals.
I am not a Nelson Cruz fan at this point in his career and the size of Citi Field. He hasn't exactly torn it up in the hitters park in D.C. I don't know much about Seymour, but I don't think Cruz is the bat that is needed. Bell is a better pick from the Washington crew.
Benitendi would be an interesting player, but no way the Royals are going to take two major leaguers and a AAA relief pitcher for him. They don't need a catcher (although I don't know what Perez's status is at this point).
The one I really love is your Reds proposal. My only thought is "is it enough?", but if we take back Moustakas, that should lighten the prospect load.
Cortes for Chafin would be good; I'm not sure Cortes has that value at this point. Chafin is having a pretty nice season with Detroit.
My opinion on Alvarez is that he is not ready for the starting catching job on a team pushing to win the World Series. He will be there soon, but 2022 is too much to ask. I don't know how long McCann will be out, but they need some proven defense behind the plate. Almost every World Series champion has had that.
Good discussion. Thanks for the post!
Nice thoughts, Jeremy. Go for it this year, keep the best prospects. This off season will be a doozy.
I am probably in the minority, but I don't think it would be a bad move to bring Conforto back on a 'show me' contract...gotta believe he wants to show something before another offseason
OK I'm probably in the minority on this and I've mentioned this before but the all in move is Alvarez, Baty Mauricio and Peterson for Ohtani. First off I love to spend Stevies money and we would have to be assured he would sign with us long term of course but there isn't a bigger bang for the buck as he fills 2 spots AND I think SC would love to "poke the bear" here and go over the cap big time because 14 billion means he thinks different than anyone else. Can you imagine how this would rock the baseball world AND fill Citi and Mr.Cohen would love that anyway just a thought.
Post a Comment