Another trade deadline has come and gone. The Mets made a couple of moves both to contend for a playoff spot and also to position themselves for the future.
What would the 2017 Mets look like? Here is a possible preview.
First Base – Lucas Duda started the season as the starting first baseman but let’s face it did anyone actually believe that he is the answer? Once Duda hurt his back, the Mets quickly signed James Loney. Loney has played well but I don’t believe he is the answer for 2017 and beyond. Michael Conforto is a possibility and I would send him to winter ball and have him play first base. If he is slow to pick up the position defensively then maybe as a short term move put Wilmer Flores or possibly David Wright at first base. They probably could bring back Loney for another year. First base is not that easy of a position to learn defensively. Remember the Mike Piazza fiasco? Dominic Smith is a prospect but he doesn’t impress me.
Second Base – The plan going into this season was play Neal Walker and then in 2017 bring up Dilson Herrera. However Herrera was sent to Cincinnati in the Jay Bruce trade. There is nothing really good in the farm system so the options are to bring Walker back who has shown some pop or move Flores there fulltime.
Shortstop – Until he was recently disabled Asdrubal Cabrera was doing a decent job. Is he a long term option? I don’t think so but neither are Jose Reyes or Wilmer Flores. Amed Rosario, currently in AA is a year away while Gavin Cecchini currently playing shortstop in Las Vegas is being looked at possibly being moved to second base. I like Matt Reynolds but more in a Utility Role. If Cabrera is not with the team in 2017, who removes the player’s helmet after a Homerun? I noticed when Curtis Granderson homered against the Yankees on Wednesday; there was no one to take his helmet.
Third Base – I would love for David Wright to be back at third base opening day in 2017 but I don’t think it’s realistic. Wilmer Flores’ name keeps showing up but honestly I don’t see him as a long term starter anywhere. This may be where you look for a trade especially if you don’t bring back Jose Reyes. From a baseball standpoint, I see Reyes as injury prone and not a major offensive or defensive factor at this point of his career.
Left Field – Will they or won’t they? Once again, Yoenis Cespedes can be a free agent at the end of the year. When he’s been in the lineup he is the offensive threat that the Mets desperately need. He is currently on the disabled list and has missed some time with nagging injuries throughout the year. This may work out for the Mets as other teams may be hesitant to offer him a long term contract. He likes it here and as long as he doesn’t join the PGA tour he will be back. Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo would be candidates to play left field if Cespedes did leave.
Center Field – I would go with Juan Lagares if he can stay healthy. Defensively, despite losing a step is far above anyone they have. With Cespedes and Bruce in the lineup you could live with Lagares offensively. Nimmo would be another possibility if he isn’t traded. I like Curtis Granderson but I think it’s time to let him go.
Right Field – Jay Bruce will be the Mets right fielder in 2017. Sandy Alderson made this trade knowing he would need a solid bat in the lineup should Yoenis Cespedes sign elsewhere.
Catcher – Travis d’Arnaud is the starter for now. The Mets do want to upgrade here as evidenced with their attempts at trading for Jonathan LuCroy. Tomas Nido a power hitting catcher is currently at Port St. Lucie. He has improved defensively but is at least two years away from the Major Leagues.
Starting Pitcher — Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz, Zach Wheeler and Matt Harvey are the starters in a perfect world. However we are not in a perfect world. Wheeler and Harvey have to show they can come back from major injuries while we continue to hold our breath every time Syndergaard and Matz pitch. Odds are at least two of these pitchers will not be in the rotation in 2017. As long as there are food spreads in the clubhouse, Bartolo Colon will be on the team. Logan Verrett and Jonathan Niese are not viable options in my mind. The farm system doesn’t impress me with the best prospects being a few years away.
Relief Pitcher — Jeurys Familia barring injury will be the closer in 2017. The life of a closer (Mariano Rivera a glaring exception) is short but it’s too early to speculate on an alternative. Sometimes these come from unexpected sources. Who knows maybe Matt Harvey steps in in 2018 and closes?
Manager — I like Terry Collins but I don’t think he is the answer if the Mets want to return to the World Series. The Wally Backman for Manager Ship has sailed. Let’s face it if the Mets were considering him, he would have been at least coaching at the Major League Level by now. Although Tim Teufel has Minor League managerial experience and has coached at the Major League Level, I don’t see him as the answer. The Mets for whatever reason are not big with 1986 Met Players in Coaching or Managerial roles. Collins will manage in 2017 as they don’t fire him a year after taking them to the World Series.
3 Comments