Reese Kaplan -- Improving the Team Should Be a Daily Process

It’s funny to sit here and figure out how to complain when the team you follow has been in or very near first place for most of the year (even after the June swoon).  Some folks tell me that I’m merely pessimistic and I’m never satisfied with anything.  I counter with success means continually improving what your business provides to ensure remaining on top and defeating the competition.

Without getting into the full annoying and frustrating list of roster decisions made by the front office, suffice to say the fans and the media are getting highly agitated.  To hear the rose-colored glasses society preach on, “Everything will be solved at the trading deadline.”  Hmmn...it would seem that the season is over six months long and the best business practice some believe is that it’s not important to try to win every game, but only the ones in August and September.

It’s been crystal clear since the sub-Mendoza Jose Siri hit the IL that center field was an issue that needed to be fixed.  The multiple injuries plaguing DH kept the Mets from benefiting from the mediocrity that has plagued the team since the NL implemented that role.  No one fully envisioned Jared Young as the designated anything.  Then there is the bullpen which just now learned that 2024’s surprising rookie Dedniel Nunez needs a second Tommy John Surgery.  In addition there were problems with the starting rotation, catchers, infielders and a multitude of relievers.

But don’t worry.  David Stearns will fix everything.  Didn’t he find us Zach Pop?  What about Dicky Lovelady?  I would go on but the point is abundantly clear.  He’s not promoting the best of the best in minor league pitching while hoping the DFA and AAAA castoffs somehow can make up for whomever got hurt or imploded.

Well, the All Star Break is upon us and still not a single average major league caliber player has been added to help fix the the ongoing issues.  To be fair, Starling Marte and Jesse Winker will eventually bring themselves back to Queens.  I’ll leave that DH question alone for now.  With the returns of Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea their starting pitching is finally back to what was once envisioned.

Unfortunately, the catchers, the infielders, center field and the bullpen are all a shambles and nothing is being done.  For the catcher question, it would appear that the sub Mendoza Francisco Alvarez is actually a superior hitter to both Luis Torrens and Hayden Senger.  Some are advocating a trade for now 35 year old Salvador Perez and his $22 million salary.  Ummm, no...

Then there are questions about improving the infield.  Well, that depends on what they’re doing elsewhere, but as it is there is not enough room for Luisangel Acuna, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, Jeff McNeil and Mark Vientos.  Someone (or more) need to go.

For the bullpen, no one can blame the front office, the pitching coach nor the manager for the onslaught of injuries, especially from the left handed side.  However, not doing anything substantive is far less excusable.  Aroldis Chapman is a rental who would fortify the pen for the remainder of the year.  As a rental he would not cost all that much.

Today, however, we will look at the subject of center field.  There are three names being bandied about.  I’ve already suggested Byron Buxton whose health has helped deliver sensational numbers and he plays solid defense.  He earns $15+ million per year for this season and through 2028.  He’s hitting .273 with 20 HRs, 53 RBIs and 17 SBs.

Another option is the Baltimore Orioles’ Cedric Mullins.  This season he’s hitting worse than Tyrone Taylor but has more power.  While he’s also a rental as he becomes a free agent at year’s end, his primary attributes appear to be his left handed bat, speed and defense.  He could be part of an underpowered platoon in CF.  His $8+ million salary is not bad but you’re not getting nearly as much as you would from the more expensive Buxton

Then there are others advocating the Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran.  He’s also left handed and hitting .257 with 8 HRs, 50 RBIs and 15 SBs.  He is signed for this year and there’s an $8 million option for 2026.  It would be an improvement but not at the Buxton magnitude.

There are obviously a whole slew of center fielders in both leagues that could help improve the team, but ever since 2025 began there haven’t been any roster changes with established major leaguers.  To be fair to those folks who feel the magic July 31st deadline will solve everything, I sincerely hope you’re right, but professionals should work every day to make things better, not just one day a year.