The Next Moves For the New York Mets
If you were to rate the New York Mets offseason moves it would be just ok. That ok could turn into very good to great depending on the performance of their two biggest acquisitions to date. In typical Mets fashion, the two biggest newsworthy events were not bringing in new players. The first event is that minority owner billionaire Steve Cohen will eventually own approximately 80 % of the franchise. Met fans are salivating with the thoughts of the team spending money like the cross-town rivals New York Yankees.
The second is the saga of outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. The story took another two turns as it was announced the Mets stopped paying him when he got hurt on his ranch this past May. In addition, both sides agreed to rework Cespedes’ contract saving the Mets a boatload of money. Additionally, performance incentives were added into the contract all but guaranteeing Cespedes will try very hard to get back on the field and try to make some money back. But there was more to this story. It has been revealed that Cespedes stepped into a hole breaking his ankle avoiding a wild boar on his ranch. You can’t make this stuff up.
Additions and Subtractions
The two big new additions to the New York Mets are starting pitcher Rick Porcello and relief pitcher Dellin Betances. In Porcello, the Mets get a solid innings-eater who can be counted on making 30 starts in 2020. Porcello won the American League Cy Young in 2016 and won 17 games in 2018. His 2019 season was one of the worst seasons in his career. The Mets are hoping a move to the National League will be beneficial to Porcello. Porcello is signed for one year so this is not a long term commitment.
When he is on Betances is one of the best relief pitchers in baseball. In 381 innings pitched Betances has struck out 621 batters. Betances has played his entire career with the Yankees so we know he can pitch in New York. The only problem with Betances is he is coming off an injury-plagued season. Betances did not pitch until September due to arm trouble. When he finally pitched Betances tore his Achilles tendon ending his season. If Betances is healthy the Mets will have a three-headed monster in the bullpen with Seth Lugo and a hopefully returning to form Edwin Diaz.
The Mets also added starting pitcher Michael Wacha and centerfielder Jake Marisnick. The only key player the Mets lost is starting pitcher Zack Wheeler. Wheeler signed a five-year contract with the division rivals Philadelphia Phillies. Other players not retuning are Todd Frazier, Juan Lagares, and Joe Panik.
Division Powers Up
There has not been another division in all of baseball that has had more additions than the National League East. There are still several key free agents on the market. Additionally, big-name players such as Mookie Betts, Francisco Lindor, Kris Bryant, and Nolan Arenado are reportedly on the trading block. It is possible one of those players could still be added to this division.
The National League East was the only division in 2019 to boast four teams with a .500 record or better. The Washington Nationals won the World Series as the wild card team. The Miami Marlins who were very competitive also have one of the best farm systems in all of baseball. The Marlins have six players in the top 100 according to MLB.COM. The young Atlanta Braves have won back to back division titles and the Phillies continue to spend money trying to build a winning team.
Mets Needs
Catcher
A big need that remains for the New York Mets is a backup catcher behind Wilson Ramos. Tomas Nido is the current backup catcher and he can’t hit a lick although he plays pretty good defense. Nido might be better served with playing a whole season in triple-A as the everyday catcher. Ramos who had a really good offensive season is not a very good defensive catcher.
Starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard complained on many occasions about Ramos’ defense behind the dish. But Jacob deGrom was his second straight Cy Young award pitching to Ramos. Robinson Chirinos would be a good addition because he is a good two-way catcher. Ramos played in a career-high 141 games in 2019. It would be a stretch to expect the same in 2020 especially with Ramos having knee problems his whole career.
It is more likely the Mets will sign a catcher with a lot lower profile than Chirinos. The free-agent market for catchers is really thin for players who can make a big impact. Expect the Mets to go the less expensive route and save salary for somewhere else. Don’t be surprised if Nido is once again the backup catcher in 2020.
More Pitching
The New York Mets already have six starting pitchers on the 40 man roster and two in the bullpen capable of making a spot start if needed. So it is safe to say the Mets are not shopping for starting pitching. But the bullpen should be another story. The Mets seem to be counting on Diaz, Betances, and Jeurys Familia returning to form and another big season from Lugo. Also, Brad Brach, Justin Wilson, and Robert Gsellman are back to round out the rest of the pen.
But what angers Met fans is knowing that their team has not gone the extra mile to make the bullpen even better. Will Harris and Daniel Hudson were both signed by the Nationals for very reasonable contracts. Either one of them would have looked really good in a Mets uniform. So not only do the Mets not go that extra mile but they have to see those impact pitchers sign with a division rival. Harris and Hudson were the best relievers still available but other quality bullpen arms are still on the market.
The Mets need to make the bullpen even stronger and could also use a second quality lefty reliever to pair up with Wilson. Steve Cishek and Brandon Kintzler would be fine right-handed additions. The lefty options are very limited with Francisco Liriano and Ryan Buchter as some top names.
Centerfield
Depending on which group of Met fans you talk to there are differing opinions on this position. One group is happy with Brandon Nimmo and the other group thinks he is a fourth outfielder at best. The Mets have been linked to Pittsburgh Pirates centerfielder Starling Marte all offseason. But no trade is reportedly imminent. The Mets could just use Nimmo and the newly acquired Marisnick in 2020 then make a run at Betts after the season. Or perhaps the Mets are hoping the price tag on Marte lowers enabling them to keep their top trade assets.
Big Trade Rumored
General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen has said the New York Mets are not done yet. But no one knows what that really means. The Mets have been mentioned in trade rumors for all the big names on the trading block. The Mets do have good trade pieces such as Dominic Smith, J.D. Davis, and Nimmo. In addition two of the Mets top prospects in Ronny Mauricio and Andres Gimenez are both shortstops currently blocked by Amed Rosario. One of those could be used as a trade chip and one could be moved to another position.
Also Brett Baty a third baseman could be used in a trade for Arenado. Should the Mets try to trade for Betts, Nimmo most likely would have to be included in that deal. However, the risk of trading for Betts is that he is a free agent at the end of the 2020 season. Why trade assets for a player the Mets could try to sign if he does not re-sign with the Boston Red Sox. Why trade assets for a player who might not want to sign a long term contract with the Mets?
2021
It would be nice for the Mets to do something totally un Mets like and protect themselves for beyond 2020. Marcus Stroman, Porcello, and Wacha are all free agents after the 2020 season. Why not sign some pitchers who could potentially be replacements in 2021?
Injured pitcher Aaron Sanchez is most likely out for the entire 2020 season. The Mets can sign him to a minor league contract and let him rehab and regain his form. Taijuan Walker is another pitcher worth considering. After two injury-plagued seasons, Walker is healthy and would likely accept a bullpen role although he would prefer to start.
Brodie Van Wagenen what’s the next move. Your fanbase is watching.
