SAVAGE VIEWS – 2024 HERE WE COME

  

The way I see it the lost season of 2023 is a blessing in disguise.  

A season that began with such promise will go down as an epic failure.  It has forced the organization to take stock and reset.  The fire sale conducted by the trade deadline has refurbished the farm system.  We are probably a top ten system with at least three to four major prospects at every level.

Perhaps we have now learned the lesson other successful teams have mastered.  Build a strong farm system to serve as the foundation for future success.  Buying a championship has rarely worked.  Over the next two to three years, we will go from having the oldest team in baseball to one of the youngest. 

One of the first moves is to find the right person to replace Buck Showalter as manager.  His recent moves suggest a manager who would rather be doing something else.  He’s been a good manager who is more effective on a veteran laden team.  Having him return to complete his contract would be sending the wrong message.  

Some have suggested Craig Counsell as the replacement if David Stearns joins the organization.  In my opinion that would be a mistake.  

Our future team will probably have a sampling of international players from a number of countries.  My preferred choice is Carlos Beltran.  I believe has the skill set and demeanor to be an effective manager.  Whoever they choose, hopefully it will be someone that will lead us for the next decade.   The managerial merry-go-round has got to stop.

I’m convinced that the Mets will field a competitive team in 2024.  I expect that the likes of Nimmo, Lindor, Marte, McNeil and Alonso will rebound from their poor seasons.  I also believe that Alvarez, Baty and Maurcio will be solid contributors next season.  The jury is still out on Vientos.  I would love to have them sign a veteran utility guy such as Justin Turner or Drury to beef up our attack against left hand pitching.

As of now, we will head into the off-season with two or three starting pitchers if Peterson is a viable option.  That means at least two quality starters need to be added.  And the bullpen must be revamped.  The good news is that Diaz will be back but there is little beyond Hartwig, Gott and Raley.

The path to the post-season begins with quality starting pitching and an effective bullpen.  The projected 2024 lineup should have enough punch, especially if the 2023 under performers become merely average.  The expected arrival of Acuna and Gilbert by mid-season will make McNeil and either Marte or Nimmo expendable.  

Room needs to be made for the next generation of players.

Even if the new guys perform up to expectations it’s probably unreasonable for the Mets to be considered WS contenders before 2026.  By that time our newcomers should have comfortably settled into their roles and begin entering the prime years of their careers.

Lots of talk about extending the contract of Pete Alonso.  His power would be hard to replace.  If I was writing the checks I would offer him a contract of 3-5 years, maximum.  Once the team has a good feeder system in place no player older than 25 should be given a contract in excess of 5 years.  On the other hand, younger stars such as Alvarez should be locked up early through their arbitration years.  Look to the Braves for guidance.

As of today, we are sprinting towards a lottery pick.  We need to win approximately 25% of our remaining games to avoid losing 100. 

Ray