While there is no doubt that the Mets have come to a critical point in the 2016 season, as they battle for a spot in the National League Playoffs as a wild card entry, they seem to have come to an even bigger crossroads concerning their immediate AND long term future. It is NOT an unknown fact that the team has experienced GREAT difficulty sustaining any kind of offensive attack. Their performance with runners in scoring position has reached almost preposterously poor levels, but once again, common knowledge that has become fodder for every media outlet. In fact, when you look at their lineup as presently constituted, even when healthy, the only player you expect ANY kind of production from at a consistent level is Yoenis Cespedes, and now, possibly Jay Bruce.
While the fans clamor for ANY kind of deal with knee jerk reaction for this season, more importantly, the team MUST turn their eyes to the next few years, and retooling the team to compete while their vaunted pitching staff is at optimum level. ANY kind of panic move with no eyes to the future MUST be avoided at all costs. It would NOT be prudent to make a limited run for 2016 while harming the team’s chances for 2017 and beyond.
The infield has become a cause for concern. First, the team MUST be realistic about the third base situation. If management can take the rap for ANYTHING coming into this season, it was building their offense around a player who they were HOPING to get 120 games out of, when in reality, with his condition, that goal was very unrealistic. It’s time to REALLY examine what contributions David Wright can make to this team in the future. He can no longer stay on the field for any length of time. His production can NOT be counted on to build an offense around, and his throwing has become detrimental to the inner defense. The team must come up with a long term solution, instead of the annual “waiting for the Captain’s return” that has plagued them for many of the last few seasons. Whether the solution comes from within the organization (TJ Rivera? Jose Reyes?) or outside of it via a trade or free agency is a primary question that management needs to answer.
They had a major find this year in their signing of Asdrubal Cabrera, who has steadied the infield defense at shortstop. However, his latest injury raises a question of his durability. Now having Jose Reyes on the roster gives them a viable backup at the position, providing he also can stay healthy. Also, the ascension of Amed Rosario is on the horizon, so shortstop might reach a level of stability within a year or two while the two veterans hold the fort. At second base, many argued logically that Daniel Murphy did not deserve a “superstar status” contract. The same logical answer can be given for Neil Walker who is coming upon free agency. The promotion of L.J. Mazzilli to AAA has not gone unnoticed, and with Dilson Herrera’s departure, he might be the second baseman of the not-too-distant future. Also, management must decide what Wilmer Flores is. Perhaps he holds down second base next season while waiting for Mazzilli or someone else.
The situation at first base is much like shortstop. Dominic Smith should be ready by 2018, or late 2017. James Loney should be able to adequately handle the position while waiting for a younger, much more agile Smith to fill it. Loney WAS a Godsend this season while filling in for Lucas Duda, who might very well have played his last game as a New York Met, but in reality, his lack of athleticism does weaken a defense which is not high on range. He catches everything thrown to him, but on long term observation, he covers VERY little ground around the bag, especially to his right. The eventual promotion of Smith will solve THAT problem. The hope is he can hit at the major league level the way he’s shown this year at AA.
A PRIMARY mission of the front office should be to make sure Yoenis Cespedes is the anchor of the outfield next season. Without his offense, the club can be in dire straits when it comes to scoring runs. The addition of Bruce in right field for next season will give him the power protection Cespedes needs, and should form a formidable middle of the lineup. Michael Conforto poses a puzzle. He is NOT a centerfielder, and if you keep Cespedes, where does he fit in? If Cespedes returns to centerfield next season, the question is answered, but if he remains in left field, centerfield becomes a hole that MUST be filled, especially with the spacious confines of Citi Field. If there is a place the team needs to look to upgrade their speed, this should be it. It has become apparent that Juan Lagares is not a long term answer. Also, it might be time that Curtis Granderson is relegated to the role of 4th outfielder. His arm has become a liability as an invitation to opposing baserunners to go from first to third constantly, or stretch singles into doubles or doubles into triples. His days as an everyday regular might be over. His ratio if home runs to runs batted in borders is so bad, it illustrates how bad he is with runners in scoring position, and is a microcosm of what the team has become.
It’s ironic that the centerpiece of the R.A. Dickey trade, Travis d’Arnaud, has turned into an afterthought of the deal with the emergence of Noah Syndergaard. Catching HAS become a black hole again, and it’s a problem not easily solved with the dearth of good catchers around the major leagues. Next to third base, it is a position that MUST be addressed as a priority.
In 2016, players have NOT performed to the back of their baseball cards. By that token, the whole of the team’s roster of position players must be viewed as disposable, with the exception of their two power bats in Cespedes and Bruce. To take advantage of their outstanding pitching in the next few years, they must make the proper decision at this crossroad of their history, and retool dramatically with a look at two factors, adding MUCH needed team speed so they can advance more than one base at a time, and look to play hitters 9except for the two power bats) that make contact, put the ball in play, and hit for a higher average. This team is SORELY in need of line drive gap hitters who hit .290 plus on a CONSISTENT basis. (Why couldn’t Keith Hernandez come around now???) THIS is what they must look to find, preferably at third, second or first base, or centerfield. It is a must.
