The consensus seems to be that the Atlanta Braves are light years ahead of the Mets. Most pundits don’t give the Mets a chance of competing in 2024. Are we just another 75-win team? There is an agreement that next year will be a transition year as we wait for prospects such as Acuna, Williams, Gilbert and Hamel to make their debuts. All of these doomsday projections are being made in advance of the hot stove league.
At this point
in time, it’s premature to get too far ahead of ourselves. It’s clear that our team must add at least
two starting pitchers to the rotation.
Imagine if we signed Yamamoto and traded for Corbin Burnes. One of Peterson, Lucchesi, and Megill may be
the fifth starter. That group would match
up well with any rotation in MLB. As we
have seen during the current playoffs, good pitching can stop good hitting. Any way you look at it, the Mets will field a
solid rotation next year.
The need for
a strong bullpen cannot be underestimated.
We’re fortunate whenever a starter goes more than 5 innings. Having Diaz
back is, of course. a plus. Outside of
Brooks Raley none of the 2023 arms is a lock to return, although bringing Ottavino
should be considered. Assuming Peterson
gets the nod to be starter number five, Lucchesi and Megill most likely assume
bullpen roles. That leaves three
vacancies that can be filled from within (Lavender, Gervase, Smith) or the free
agent market.
This
off-season should be interesting. Will
the team make a big splash by bringing either Ohtani or Soto on board. Frankly, I don’t see that happening. Lots of speculation will surround extending
Alonso to a contract to make him a life-long Met. I fully expect Pete to test the free agent
waters following the season. Remember,
next year Soto may be leading a very attractive free agent class. The 2025 Mets roster may have either Soto or
Alonso on the team, not both.
It’s not unreasonable
for the 2023 underperformers to revert back to normal. While Lindor had a great second half his
first half left a lot to be desired. Same
with McNeil and there’s hope Marte bounces back. The quartet of rookies should be better next
year. We have a generational catcher in
Alvarez, a very promising player in Mauricio and potential power hitters in
Baty and Vientos.
Some feel
that Baty should be included in a trade package. I hope that does not happen. Remember, once upon a time, the Phillies had
a third base prospect who hit below the Mendoza line during his rookie
season. The Phillies decided to hold on
to Mike Schmidt and he became one of the best of all time.
None of us
can predict what will happen next year, but I feel somewhat optimistic. There should be a nice blend of veterans and young
professionals ready to make an impact.
It will be a transition year in the sense that we will be able to separate
those worth keeping from those who need to move on.
Personally, I
like our odds. Unless we get hit severely
by the injury bug, we should be competing for a title next year.
Ray
There are so many unknowns for 2024. Who is the manager? Who is the GM? Who is in the outfield? Who is the DH? Who are the starters after Senga and Quintana? Who are the relievers after Diaz, Ottavino (he's staying) and Raley? Who is on the bench?
ReplyDeleteThe Baby Mets need to come through or it might be fifth place.
ReplyDeleteMorning Ray
ReplyDeleteA few things..
1. I see Mike turned 65 this week. Don't you wish?
2. I see 2024 as a transition year in all levels. POBO. GM. MGR. Scouts. Coaches. And I haven’t even mentioned players
3. 2025 will bring a ton of talent to Quees. Williams. Acuña. Possibly two outfielders. Up to 5 new starters. The biggest prospect haul for one year EVER. You have to respect that before you make major decisions in 2024
Man, Stearns has a big job ahead of him.
ReplyDeleteRay, a big, perennial Mets problem is insufficient REAL pen arms. Even with Edwin’s brilliance in 2022, they only had a pen ERA that was 10th in baseball. Gotta shoot for top 5. 22nd in pen ERA this year. Edwin should drop that several notches, to perhaps 15th. It needs to be 5th.
I look at Baty and Vientos like this…the Schmidt analogy is good, but could be way off. Stearns’ team needs to assess how much better those 2 might do in 2024. 2023 wasn’t great for them: 571 ABs, .212, OBP .267, 180 Ks, 56 RBIs. Those are BAD #s. How much better they might get is the analysts’ jobs who work for Stearns. Both hitters sputtered to the finish line. I was very disappointed in both in 2023.
I did watch an SNY clip, where one of them said the Mets should pursue Rhys Hoskins.if healthy, his past numbers were much better than Bret and Mark. Of course, he might want a reunion with the Phillies instead. And, why not?
Like I said, bolster the pitching staff with 5 quality starters and a lock down pen and we'll compete with anyone.
ReplyDeleteThe Mets tried to buy a championship this past season and failed. They failed because they didn't have enough talent to cover when old players started to get hurt. The Mets in 2024 must give their top prospects an opportunity to show why they are in the ML, after all, it is an adjustment for them.
ReplyDeleteThe Mets simply have to add some pieces that can help them in 2025 without getting crazy expensive again which will give them plenty of cash when 2025 free agency comes around.
Go hard after Yamamoto, bring back Ottavino, see if Robertson wants to come back, etc.
I know a lot of you don't want to trade Alonso but look at it logically, did Alonso hired Boras in order to not test the free agent market?. With that in mind, find out what other teams are willing to give up for him and if the offer is good, take it. Who is going to out bit Cohen if he wants Alonso back in 2025?.
Like I said, 2025 should be the year where youth, experience and talent comes together.
But how good is that youth? This years Baby Mets were a bust.
ReplyDeleteRay I’m with you. I believe we can we a Wild Card team with a few good FA signings like Yama, Montgomery or a good #3 SP, and sign a good RP or two. You can forget about Burnes. I believe he has 2 years before FA so the playoff Brewers won’t trade him. It would also cost us at least 3 of our top 7 prospects. Not worth it when the SP FA market is loaded.
ReplyDeleteThe bats for a year will be basically the same as 2023 with an injection of some of the top prospects.
I believe the Braves take a step back next year.
ReplyDeleteBut the Phillies are might be taking another step forward.
ReplyDelete