With Carlos Correa out of the picture, the Mets still have issues to address before spring training starts in just 4 weeks.
When I finished my last post, I was hoping that by the time I wrote my next one, there would be a positive resolution to the Carlos Correa sage. While there was a resolution, it differed from the one most New York Mets fans, including me, hoped to see. Carlos is back with the Twins, and the Mets will take the field this season with a lineup a bit weaker than what it could have been with Correa.
I have a personal policy as a fan not to dwell too long on things that might have been. It's easier to follow these days. Most of us have confidence that Steve Cohen will do what it takes to field a potential winner. But it still stings a little to think about what could have been. Correa was a definite upgrade over whatever Eduardo Escobar and Brett Baty are likely to provide the Mets in 2023.
On the other hand, it's a relief to stop thinking and writing about Correa and move on after what felt like an eternity. Baty and Escobar now have an opportunity to carve out their own niches with the Mets this season. Let's see if one or both can take advantage of it. Manny Machado's opt-out clause after this season leaves him as a very intriguing alternative if Baty can't seize hold of the job.
But that's next year's decision. With spring training just over 4 weeks off, the Mets are left with some last-minute judgments over what final pieces they might attempt to fit into their roster. Beginning with just the players currently on their roster, I believe the initial 26-man roster would look roughly like this:
Starters (5): Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Kodai Senga, José Quintana, Carlos Carrasco
The Mets could hold back from having a fifth starter on the roster until there is a need. I believe that the Mets will elect to have at least 2 of the best alternatives, David Peterson, Tylor Megill, and Joey Lucchesi, start the year in Triple-A to be stretched out as starting pitchers.
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ReplyDeleteI would go 1-2 in Syracusebwith Megill and Peterson
DeleteWe are a better team without Correa. Baby will prove to be a better choice
ReplyDeleteAnd the money saved will help build a successful package for that 2 way guy on the Angels
DeleteIt’s absurd to think we are better off without Correa. Our hitting lags behind Philly and Braves. We still need more power and speed. Relief without Lugo, May, Wilson can’t be better than last year. Need to sign Chafin asap. I don’t think anyone can evaluate starting pitching as compared to last year. It may be better it may be worse. Scherzer/Verlander depend Ian health, but both have bad post season stats. Quintana and corrasco are old and subject to breakdown and inconsistency . Senga is an unknown. No pitching prospects in minors. Would have felt more secure with Rodon, but the Yankees snatched him up. This may end up being a replay of “The Worst Team Money Could Buy” by Klapich and Harper
ReplyDeleteJust remember, when you say Braves and Phil’s have better hitting, the true test of comparable hitting is on the road. Mets scored more on the road in 2022 than either.
ReplyDeleteAlso, our #1 overall prospect and #19 overall prospect could be our 2023 versions of Harris/Stryder.