Good Morning, Mets' fans!
I am likely taking a bit of a risk by putting this article together a few days before it is scheduled to "go to press". Especially since the bulk of the article is based on the 2019 Mets' roster projection and the players on the Mets' roster have changed a bit over the past few weeks.
OK, that was a significant understatement, right?
Heck, our new leader is about as aggressive as they come. He could almost be compared to an eager 16 year old in the back seat of his father's car with his prom date, but this a family friendly blog so I will put the brakes on that analogy. However, doing so does not take away from insane amount of turnover that the roster has been through of late.
As a reminder, I am NOT an expert and I did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Instead, what I am about to share with all of you is my OPINION on where the current roster is and what still needs to be done, no more and no less. I also encourage each of you to share your views in the "comments section" below.
Here is how I would set up the basic roster and the player or players that I think will fill the positions once the season is actually underway;
*C1 - Ramos
C2 - ??? (TdA, Nido, other?)
*1B - Frazier (until Alonso is ready)
*2B - Cano
*SS - Rosario
*3B - McNeil (Frazier, Davis or Lowrie?)
MI - Lowrie
CI - Davis (or Frazier if Davis starts)
*LF - Nimmo
*CF - ??? (Lagares, Broxton, other?)
*RF - Conforto
OF4 - Broxton
OF5 - ??? (McNeil once Alonso is ready?)
*Starters, so to speak
Bold are locked in, IMO.
As you can see, there is a bit of uncertainty in several locations (first base, third base and center field), primarily due to the status of Peter Alonso and his delayed entry onto the roster. In the long run, unless there is a trade, perhaps Frazier ends up at third base and McNeil becomes one of several "utility types" on the roster, along with Lowrie and Davis. If that is the case, it is one heck of a versatile bench, right?
SP1 - deGrom
SP2 - Syndergaard
SP3 - Wheeler
SP4 - Matz
SP5 - ??? (Vargas or other?)
LRR - Lugo
LRL - ???
MRR - Gsellman
MRL - Zamora
SUR - Familia
SUL - ???
CLO - Diaz
The pitching staff is a bit more settled, but I think there is the potential to upgrade the back end of the rotation, either from within (Dowdy?) or one of the remaining free agents. If that occurs, then Vargas likely slides into the left handed, long reliever (LRL) role or he is dealt away.
Despite recent additions, I still see a shortage of left handed relievers on the roster (especially someone who can fill the left handed set up role). It is possible that the team does not carry three lefties in the bull pen, so the remaining slot could go to someone like Drew Smith who is intriguing based on his minor league track record.
In closing, the roster still seems a bit "out of balance" with the recent moves made in free agency and/or the trade market. I wonder if another trade or two is still in the works with an expensive veteran (Frazier, Lagares or Vargas) heading out of town in exchange for another team's pricey player?
How do you see things?
11 comments:
Question:
If we signed Harper, we'd have to break the logjam. Let's say we trade McNeil.
What could we get for Jeff McNeil, who is paid the minimum wage, is versatile as heck, and hit .329/.381/.471 in 63 games last year?
Could we get another team's top 3 prospect and a top 10 prospect? Maybe 3 prospects? Would that make sense?
Well...
after yesterday, it looks like Lowrie on third, Frazier to CI, and McNeil to SP5
I thought the Squirrel was being told to work on his slider to be a LOOGY.
I think Luis Avilan breaks camp as a 2nd lefty in the pen and another may be obtained with some of the redundant pieces still on the 40-man roster. The outfield to me remains the biggest question. I cannot hnnestly think that a guy who has not logged a single inning of major league outfield is suddently going to be handed the starting assignment there.
"McNeil to SP5" - that's hilarious.
I meant C2
Err... OF5
(and I agree with Reese... you simply can't teach an infielder to player a corner outfield position in the majors)
McNeil is Shagadelic - OF no problem - people doubted his defense at 2B. Then he showed up...people changed.
SP 5 will be JD Davis
I wouldn’t offer Manny Machado a 300 million 10 year deal but if we can get him for 8 year $216 mil it be well worth it. What do you think?
Zozo -
Hey buddy... too long.
First of all, it is now being reported that the CWS offer was Fake News. Way short of the actual amount offered.
Past that, ego plays big in free agency.
We are simply too late to the game here.
Didn't it work for Mantle, Biggio and Dale Murphy, all of whom transitioned to CENTER Field?
The mets roster is positioned to win it all in 2019 and 2020 with a commitment
to increase payroll 25 mil and a few bold yet simple moves .
1. Trade Vargas and Frazier by kicking in 2mil to each deal and getting either prospects or bullpen help ( doesnt matter ) as long as we remove approx 14 mil from payroll.
2. Sign Machado to play 3rd base.
3.Sign Gio G to be 5th starter ( first choice ) or move Seth Lugo to #5 starter and sign another good reliever .
4. You can now keep Largares, or trade him at trade deadline for further salary relief. This is assuming he is having a decent year , but dont have to do anything with Largares at all with the above moves.
Lineup
Nimmo,
Rosario
Cano
Machado
Conforto
Alonzo
Ramos
Lagares or McNeil
Bench ( McNeil,Lowrie,JD Davies, Broxton, TDA or another Back up catcher .
Degrom
Noah
Wheeler
Matz
Gio G
Lugo
Zamora
Avilan
Gesellman
Familia
Diaz
One spot open for either another reliever ( we have plenty to choose from and we have depth with Santiago, Lockett, Oswalt. Or another Infielder, Outfielder or catcher depending on how you want to go .
Don't forget we may have Cespedes back in August or September to add further punch .
We keep this team for 2019 and 2020 and we win the world Series. WE have both a crazy offense, solid defense and great pitching . Convince ownership to kick in 25 million( Ive assumed we pay Machado 30 mil but might get him for less ). 2021 our prospects can solidify us for the future.
What do you say ? What team would beat us ?
Mickey Robinson, your proposal sounds like genius to me.
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