Here is the outline of my moves and roster for the Mets 2020 offseason and 2021 season. With all of my moves and roster adjustments, the team will emerge with a projected salary under $180 million, even factoring in money for Bobby Bonilla and Bret Saberhagen. People may disagree with the money that free agents get or my decisions to part ways with Steven Matz and Robert Gsellman but there should be other versions in the next week or so that perhaps you’ll like more.
The Deals:
Sign J.T. Realmuto – With a rich new owner, the Mets want to make a splash in 2021 and this is the way to do it. Buy out both Wilson Ramos and Robinson Chirinos for $2.5 Million and sign this all star catcher to a $26 Million 5 Year ($130) contract. The details of the actual contract would be different than my equal division but the key to this deal is that I see him getting between 25-27 per and 4-6 years. With Realmuto’s bat and glove added to the team the infield defense is even further improved and the Mets get a key right-handed bat in their lefty heavy lineup. It should be noted that the idea of keeping either Chirinos and/or Ramos is not absurd, as the Mets would need to spend an additional 12-13 Million for just Realmuto. With the Mets homegrown option (Francisco Alvarez) 3-5 seasons from the majors I think that a long term deal could work for the team.
Sign Kevin Pillar – I don’t think he’d cost a ton in terms of average salary and years and he can slot into center field as a platoon with Nimmo and a defensive replacement. I’m estimating his salary at 2 years $7.5 or 3 years $6 but, with Nimmo’s shaky defense and no natural center field options on their way I think the Mets can afford to bring on a player for the 2022 season as well. It should be noted that the Mets have no major league level prospects likely to be ready for promotion with their newest top pick, Pete Crow-Armstrong their top outfielder in the minors
Sign Corey Kluber – The Mets tried and failed on two reclamation projects in 2020 but, with Thomas Szapucki waiting in the wings and plenty of time to heal up, I’m going with Kuber. That being said, Taijuan Walker, Trevor Bauer and Marcus Stroman are all on my radar. I just don’t want to spend the money and years for them. If any of them could come down into the $10 Million 1 Year range I am projecting for Kluber, I would likely switch my target. I based these numbers on Rick Porcello’s who had also previously won a Cy Young award before some lackluster years. I am hoping Kluber takes a single year deal in his own hopes of reestablishing a superb value for 2022 and beyond.
Sign Cameron Maybin – I think I’ve targeted Maybin multiple times in my offseason fantasy rosters. He’s just a good option for the bench outfield. I gave him $1.25 Million and 1 Year which I feel justified with after he just signed a $1.5 Million 1 Year deal in 2020. The fact that he’s a righty allows the Mets to have more versatility with their all lefty starters.
The Amed Rosario Question – I would definitely shop Rosario at the winter meetings but, the reality is, there is little to no market for him. The top two trade targets this offseason are Trevor Story and Francisco Lindor who both have higher value. Looking at being the third tier player of a position on the trade docket doesn’t suggest much of a return. Instead, the natural decision would be to have Rosario begin to take time in the outfield. If Rosario can become that super sub player like Jeff McNeil he can still work himself into a steady playshare of the lineup.
A Tale of Two Infields – The Mets could be said to have platoon situations at first base (Dominic Smith/Pete Alonso), shortstop (Andres Gimenez/Amed Rosario) and third (J.D. Davis/Jeff McNeil) but ultimately this gives the team options and depth. In a given day the Mets could easily have four of their five infielders batting from one side or the other. The elephant in the room is the Designated Hitter position and how badly losing this role would hurt the Mets lineup. I never thought I’d be in favor of changing the rule in the National League but… here we are with both Alonso and Smith and a desire to see both play every day.
The Lineup:
The Mets have a ton of lefties but in my offseason planning the bench is mostly right handed. This leaves the Mets some options to swap around later in games. There is no question that having a lineup wrap around with Cano, Gimenez, Nimmo and McNeil would be too many lefties in a row but with six of your nine starters being left handed there isn’t much you can do.
- Brandon Nimmo/Kevin Pillar, CF
- Jeff McNeil, LF
- J.T. Realmuto, C
- Michael Conforto, RF
- Pete Alonso, DH
- Dominic Smith, 1B
- J.D. Davis, 3B
- Robinson Cano, 2B
- Andres Gimenez/Amed Rosario, SS
The Bench:
- Tomas Nido, C2
- Amed Rosario, Util
- Luis Guillorme, IF
- Kevin Pillar, OF4
- Cameron Maybin, OF5
The Rotation:
- Jacob deGrom, SP1
- Noah Syndergaard, SP2
- Corey Kluber, SP3
- Seth Lugo, SP4
- David Peterson, SP5
The Bullpen:
- Edwin Diaz, CL
- Dellin Betances, SU
- Miguel Castro, SU
- Jeurys Familia, MR
- Chasen Shreeve, MR
- Brad Brach, MR
- Franklyn Kilome, LR
I like Realmuto (who doesn’t), but the rest of the ideas are poor. Marisnick is a better option that either Pillar or Maybin. Syndergaard won’t be ready before the ASB and can’t be counted on. That bullpen is a dumpster fire.
I would rather sign James McCann for behind the plate. Go all out on Trevor Bauer. Sign Mike Minor to be the #3 guy. Sign Liam Hendriks to close and trade Nimmo and Diaz to OAK for Ramon Laureano.
Put Lugo back in the pen (with a contract extension). Keep Shreve and Erasmo. They’re stuck with one more year of Familia.
Pete becomes the full-time DH. Dom goes to first. Gimenez to short. Mc Neil in left and Scooter in right (another contract extension). Rosario and Guillorme can come off the bench. I would be OK with either Pillar or Marisnick as the backup OF.
The Mets are stuck with Cano so he can share DH duties with Davis and Alonso. Smith gets 60 percent of gems at 1B while Pete gets 40 %. Pete grew up playing 3B so why not see if he can at least play 20% of games there? This leaves him DHing for 20 %. Cano gets 40 percent at DH while only playing 25% at 2B. Guillorme and Giminez can share the rest of 2B duties. Rosario, Giminez and Guillorme can all get time at SS depending on whoever is pitching. I like Pillar but would rather see Springer at CF since his defense in much better than Pillar’s. George still hits for power, and should hit around 270, and his still has a bit of speed too plus he in a Northeastern dude so that counts for something too. I’d rather the Mets spent the money on pitching. So I’d expect Stevie Cohen to battle for Trevor Bauer over signing Realmuto. The Mets need to sign the best defensive catcher who is a free agent and that guy is Zunino. Image an elite defensive catcher throwing off bullets to beat base runners down whilst Syndergaard pitches? If they don’t resign Chirinos than go after Yadier Molina or even Tyler Flowers. Both Molina and Flowers are the starting catchers with Chirinos as your backup. McNeil stays on either right whenever Conforto needs a rest, but he should remain your everyday left fielder. Sign switch hitting CFer, Kiki Hernandez who also plays the infield real well too, is a good defender, and runs well. He is a good player to have for back up and injury purposes. For the Bullpen the Mets already have Shreve but need to add another lefty reliever like Jake McGee. Diaz is better now too. Castro was a decent signing but the Mets need to keep Brad Brach while focusing on obtaining either Baez, Treinen or Yusimeiro Petit. I would’ve liked to keep Nimmo but he cannot throw the ball plus his defense in appalling.
On MLBN two years ago, when the Rays traded for Zunino, Dave Valle – a former catcher – said Zunino has all the tools to be the best catcher in baseball in both phases, with mid-30’s homerun power.
Very thoughtful David. The problem is that they have 10 relievers signed for next year, without factoring in Kilome, so wiggle room there won’t be easy. I have a problem with releasing Gsellman, who although ineffective at times is a MLB arm. Is he worse that many others? Hard to think so and you have some control with him. I don’t know why you signed a declining Kluber over a healthier option like Bauer or Ray, but… The outfield pickups scream Wilpon more than Cohen, I have to agree with Dan there. Overall, it isn’t so easy to just overhaul a roster in one winter.
Thanks, David, for going first and getting this up right away.
I’m not sure what Kilome’s option status is but I have a hard time believing he should be in the Opening Day bullpen. It seems to me he’s on the Corey Oswalt depth starter, occasional reliever career path.
Also, not a fan of signing both Pillar and Maybin. I think the ideal outfield bench configuration has one defensive guy and one bat who maybe lost a step and can’t really play defense any more or possibly never could in the first place.
I have been a fan for 5 decades and this year, in particular, was the first time I was ever embarrassed to be a Met fan. I live in Reds country and now have to listen to them brag about the Reds (fortunately they will be done quickly because they face the Braves).
I sit in awe and look at the teams that took the bold move of emptying the team of over priced, worn out older players, and built a strong farm system and faced the fact that it will require losing to build a consistent champion (Houston, Florida, Tampa Bay, etc). I think about the dreadful NY Knicks which has terrible ownership and who have tried for years to patch the team, then decided to build through draft, younger free agents, and now an outstanding coach.
Studying the NL East – who always says they have a competitive team – MetS. Who usually finishes at the bottom because the management won’t pull the string for a player because of money – Mets. Who is the best and continuously wins the division – Braves. Why because they have had solid management and ownership starting way back in the 70s with Ted Turner.
I think we definitely need a catcher – is Realmuto the answer – short term – Yes. Long term – No – so I support signing him and developing his replacement in house. I really don’t see him signing with the Mets because we aren’t going to be competitive for 3 or 4 years. I think the position players we have are young and pretty solid and continually developing (except for Rosario who needs to go for a couple minor league pitchers to restock the minors). Starting pitching is another issue – deGrom is sensational, Matz/Gsellman need to be released, Porcello/Wacha were a terrible signing (we could have kept Wheeler). I worry about Peterson only because he has some of the same tendencies/arm motion etc of Matz, Syndergaard is an if coming off surgery – so two starters are needed (Bauer and Minor are good options). Try Lugo in 2021 as a starter but he may be best out of the Bullpen. I like Diaz, Castro, Shreve, Erasmo, Kilome, and Familia (short outings to eat innings).
New ownership is great but coming with that new ownership needs to come a change in culture which means a Bye Bye to the GM, Manager, coaches and not managing strictly through money. Put a real plan together where decisions will be made to better the team now and always looking to the future. Let the fans know what the plans are and then start doing what the plan says. We want to model the Braves, not the Phillies who sign a out fielder for $30 Million a year and let their bullpen stink up the field, exactly what Washington did for one year of glory and now many years of being just average.
Let’s stop exciting our base and then stinking up the field. See you in 2021. Always the Optimistic/Pessimist .
Editor’s Note – Please do not capitalize words in your post, as that is a violation of our Comment Policy.
+1.
My exact thoughts. This team is 2-3 years away from anything. Realmuto is not the answer because when the rest of the team is ready, he will be on the steep decline. The team needs a full culture and personnel rethink. Anything less, will just lead to more of the same.
I don’t believe we should define this team, going forward, based on a 60 game season with two lost starters. Baseball Card Seasons from Noah and Marcus would almolst surely have us playing now.
Next May’s Rotation does Not include Noah….what does it include for Starting Pitching???? Jake….and Peterson at 4/5? Maybe it also includes Seth.
There’s a good amount of young talent that doesn’t yet cost very much at Positions. I’m hoping the NL is moving forward with the DH. The Starting point is to fill the starting Pitching Slots.
Taking into account that there are much bigger problems in the world, and that this was only a 60 game season in difficult circumstances, this was still a very very very disappointing effort by the Mets. However, emotions need to be set aside. The Mets have a bunch of holes, but they have a bunch of pretty good players too. A competent GM with a near and long range plan can field a quality team that has a shot next year, while avoiding the same old same old. It’s fun to name and debate specific moves and specific guys, but first things first…secure new ownership, new senior management, and the on field staff in time to be full prepared for addressing the player personnel issues. That is a lot of work, and hopefully being worked on right now by those that will make the real decisions.
The Mets can and should be in on the quality players that meet the needs now and going forward, but just overpaying for the top guys this winter may not be best over time. Starts, the pen, and catching needs to improve. Specifically, multiple starters, a solid dependable catcher, and a dependable back end pen arm. I love Realmuto but would not break the bank on him. Consider quality trades, but don’t just deal because of positional excess at the moment. If possible, have players work on specific defense and baserunning issues over the winter to reduce some of the unforced mistakes that seem to kill them year after year.
i’am amet fan since 1962 , from the polo grounds
i seen it all . first good move you did was to hire sandy, mr. cohen he should do it the dodgers did farm system first, then f/a . i agree with chris f ,don”t sign the catcher now ,the mets are at least 3to4 years away & the money .could be used for good extenson . first the pen then one starter thank you george s
This is really a fun article. The Mets need to make some fundamental changes to their roster makeup, with a more balanced roster and a focus on improved defense. We are assuming that the NL will adopt the DH. If they dont, we will be in real trouble.
Realmuto would be my first choice. I do however believe that he will he significantly overpaid. It’s not the amount, it’s the years. He will be entering his age 31 season and will start declining within the next three years. I would go four years for him and that is it. Francisco Alvarez is developing and let’s see what he does. If it is not Realmuto, I would like a catcher who can throw runners out, even if he hits .230. That could be a year or two of Molina.
I dont want any reclamation projects, so I’ll pass in Kluber. I’d rather have Trevor Bauer. But we really need two good starters.
Laureano has a good arm, but he is not the best defender. Plus he strikes out too much.
The Mets do have solid bats in Conforto, Smith and McNeill. Jury is out on Pete. Is he too one dimensional? Nimmo is really good at getting on base. I also think that Rosario is not going to change.
I like Gimenez and Peterson on the roster, but they both have a lot to prove. I dont want old junky players like Maybin on the roster.
We do have trade chips and can make deals. The Rays always look for value players. So, Nimmo, Smith, Alonso and Rosario would probably be of interest. The Rays farm is always stacked.
The Dodgers may be of interest too. Wil Smith is locked in behind the plate, but they have had Keibert Ruiz waiting in the wings for quite a while. They also have some top notch pitching prospects such as Josiah Gray.
They do need to restock the bullpen. That is a work in progress.
I do think the Mets can change the way the roster is built in a smart way. A mix of experience and youth. I do think they can compete next year with the right moves.
The last place Mets need some major additions if they want to compete for the division next year. You identified starting pitching, catcher and center field. Good choices; pitching and defense. If the Mets don’t spend the money for starting pitching then they will repeat the same mistake they made when they saved money for an inferior product like Wacha and Porcello. Two of the three starting pitchers (not Kluber) on your radar to supplement deGrom, Peterson and Lugo at the start of the season would solve the problem. Realmuto would be nice and James McCann should be the fall back. Springer or Bradley would check off the box for Center field. Nimmo to LF and McNeil to 3B to shore up the defense. With Cohen’s money the Mets can compete immediately.
Great debate and good points made. But don’t say the jury is out on Pete with 9 September HRs and 16 in this short season. Average struggled but it was no sophomore slump-just being pitched around. He plays 1B unless they keep the DH where he can put in some time.
Improving a team in the off-season is not just about plugging holes. That’s where Minaya came up short a few years. You can’t box yourself in by targeting the top free agents at your biggest positions of need. Our lineup is strong and we have the best pitcher in baseball. That’s a nice starting point. No team is without flaws/holes – even WS winners. Obviously there’s a big rotation hole to fill. Beyond that, in broader terms, this team needs to improve defense, team speed and bring some balance to the lineup with a right handed bat. This team can and should be competitive next year with a few smart moves.
This is fun reading all the different comments. My opinions are a mix of many of these already offered:
(1) Catcher is a must. I would not be upset to see Realmuto for 4 years /$100M or maybe 5/120. No more than that. I would also be happy with James McCann on a lesser deal. That guy just seems to be getting better and is roughly the same age as JT.
(2) Starting pitching. I am not a Trevor Bauer fan, and would caution against an overpay for him. I don’t know what the situation with Stroman is, or the terms he left on with the team, but he is in my opinion the best option on the market. Two others are Keven Gausman who had decent rebuild season with the Giants and Jake Odorizzi. Mike Minor is OK. Not Kluber. Not sure what to do with Matz.
(3) Relief pitching. Pedro Baez is my pick. Outside of that, teach everyone on the staff to throw strikes. The walks killed them this year.
(4) Centerfield. I used to be a huge Nimmo fan, but I think it’s time to end that experiment in centerfield. George Springer is my target. Good defense, good bat, and the righthanded bat is a balance.
Other. Arguably it wasn’t the pitching that caused the sub .500 record this year. It was team defense, team speed, and the nosedive into the worst average with runners in scoring position in the majors. If they had been league average (as they were in 2019) they would probably be in the playoffs today. The baserunning is awful. I am not sure the cause or fix of that, but a little bit of small ball goes a long way. This team led the league in BA and OBP (or close in OBP). I have not seen the LOB stats, but they must have been near the bottom of that. They led the league in HIDP. I think the coaching staff should be looked at and revised. (I do think Rojas should have a bit more time to prove himself, but baserunning and fundementals need to be better – or at least thought about).
Other part 2. Giminez > Rosario. Rosario by himself cannot bring back much in a trade now, but he may be a good supplementary piece. Guillorme > Frazier. Luis is a terrific super-utility guy that earned a spot. Frazier should not be back. Marisnick > any of the other centerfield backups mentioned.
Other part 3. Extend Conforto. Dangle McNeil and Nimmo and if the deal is right, let them go (not for relief pitchers).
Other part 4. Figure out Syndergaard’s contract status – try to extend him. We don’t need to be reading about another Wheeler like situation when Thor signs with the Braves or somebody because we didn’t have a strategy for him. That is a tough one with him not having a full year next year, but try to wrap him up now for a few years . .
Thanks for listening . . .
Four additions are needed for 2021. A true CF is 1. Maybe they keep Marisnick, who couldn’t show what he can do this year, get Pillar or Michael Taylor, a good player sitting a lot in DC. A real -“Muto”catcher is 2nd, but if it is too much to get him, go for McAnn. Two additional bonafide starters are even more important. Right now it is just Jake, Peterson and Lugo. Need to add 2 of these perhaps Stroman, Kluber, Bauer, Lance Lynn. No more retreads like Wacha and Porcello ! Add another BP piece to go with what they have. If Familia can be traded and save his ungodly $11M salary, please do so ! When he comes in I take pills…Tum, Ta Tum, Tum, TUMS !!