Reese Kaplan -- Let's Go Astros!

With the World Series in full swing there’s been precious little written about the feelings of the regular readers about the two teams competing.  Some of the older folks may have even been Dodger fans before they fled for Chavez Ravine.  Former fan favorite Justin Turner has been terrific for them during the season and especially in the post-season.  The Mets are a National League team so it’s completely understandable that the majority of local fans are rooting for the Dodgers.

I would posit, however, that it is in the better interest of the Mets faithful to see an Astros victory.  Hear me out.

First, there is no way the Mets are ever going to match the Dodgers’ $242 million payroll.  They have usurped the “buy a pennant” mantle from the crosstown rival Yankees.  Consequently, rooting for the payroll underdog to emerge victorious is in closer proximity to the Mets reality than is a deep pocketed Dodger ballclub.

Second, take a look at the Astros as a model of what can be done with judicious drafting, player development and investing in the international market.  Who are the people making it happen for Houston?  Jose Altuve – homegrown.  Carlos Correa – homegrown.  George Springer – homegrown.  Alex Bregman – homegrown. Marwin Gonalez – homegrown.  Dallas Keuchel – homegrown.  Lance McCullers – homegrown.  (Are you seeing a pattern here?  Good draft choices, developed effectively and actually given a chance to play).

Yuri Gurriel was an international free agent from Cuba…the country the Mets seem deathly afraid to consider as a source of ballplayers until someone else has made the initial investment.  This year the 33 year old Cuban hit .299 with 18 HRs and 75 RBIs.  Hint – no Mets player had that many RBIs (and it’s not exactly in the stratosphere) nor did any hit with that kind of average except the since-cut Phil Evans.  For that production the Astros are paying an average of about $9 million for five years.  The Mets are about to spend nearly that much for Asdrubal Cabrera and MORE than that for the next few years of Juan Lagares.  Do you see the problem here?

Who have they imported?  Brian McCann, Carlo Beltran, Charlie Morton, Evan Gattis…

Yes, they had one late season conspicuous addition in Justin Verlander, but he’s one of the true elite pitchers in the game and THEY GOT THE TIGERS TO PAY DOWN HIS CONTRACT!

Compare that late season action to the Mets who steadfastly refused to kick in any salary dollars and as a result got a lot of warm bodies without very impressive resumes. 

I won’t even go down the road of comparing managers.  The Mets have thankfully (finally) corrected that mistake.

My point here is that finding the right players coming out of school, developing them effectively, considering all of the international options, making smart trades and acquisitions, and having a good manager means that it’s possible to go all the way even with a $124 million payroll ($30 million less than the Mets!).  Now many of you are even more cynical than I am and say that I’ve compiled a massive list of “Ifs”.  That’s true.  However, when someone sees that it can be done then perhaps a few more lightbulbs will turn on and the top-to-bottom overhaul of the club can continue.