Reese Kaplan -- The Clock is Ticking and Nothing Has Happened

Well, the good news is the three game sweep of the Angels that just happened.  Even better, not only did Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor contribute for the first time in what seemed like forever in the final game, but the Mets also welcomed back DH Starling Marte and RP Jose Butto.  Little by little the pieces of the envisioned roster are coming back together and victories are happening. 

By my calendar it is now July 25th.  That leaves David Stearns and his minions six more days to make roster alterations to improve the club between now and when the 2025 regular season ends. 

Looking at the bullpen points out two pitchers who could easily be dispatched should better arms become part of the Steve Cohen empire.  After you get past the pitchers like Edwin Diaz, Brooks Raley, Jose Butto, Ryne Stanek, Reed Garrett and Huascar Brazoban you then find yourself looking at the likes of Alex Carillo and Rico Garcia.  The 28 year old rookie Carillo did have a 2.75 ERA in the minors after a long stint in foreign ball, but his early returns in the majors include an ERA of 13.50.  Rico Garcia who was already DFA’d and then reacquired from his one-game stint with the Bronx Bombers is performing better.  He has a 3.24 ERA this year but owns a major league career ERA of 6.55.  Obviously the need for another left handed pitcher to supplement what Raley provides is needed but a high quality right hander would be most welcome as well. 

Of course, some would be quick to point out that returning pitcher Paul Blackburn could be the long reliever that the club could use both to handle early dismissals from a poor starting performance and to pair with innings-limited starters who are still in injury recovery mode.  While Blackburn’s Mets career is not exactly inspire confidence.  His Mets numbers include a 1-5 record with a 6.28 ERA wedged around multiple trips to the IL.  As much as veterans are often desired, the metrics are hard to ignore.

While many people feel that the trade chips the Mets have to offer include the multitude of infielders, minor league prospects and the untradeable contracts of a few veterans.  What has not been openly discussed is the prospect of any of the veteran pitchers being moved to improve both the rotation and the bullpen.  Many are not enamored with Frankie Montas being handed the ball every fifth day and others feel that the club could revitalize their bullpen for the remainder of the year by shifting Clay Holmes out there.

The offense is unfortunately much less clear.  There are no promising bats at the AAA level except perhaps Drew Gilbert.  Others like Jett Williams, Ryan Clifford and others are further down the ladder and it’s highly unlikely someone would be force fed to the majors and expected to deliver at an elite level for the season’s final two months. 

It’s been said that the infielders are open for David Stearns to offer to trading partners.  That move makes sense because between veterans Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil the Mets truly have no room for Luisangel Acuna, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio and Mark Vientos.  No one is clear what their values are right now with everyone batting under .250 and not making the highlight reels this season. 

Once again, tick, tick, tick...