The Mets’ season is chugging along as predicted by most pundits – i.e. they aren’t very good. There have been early surprises, such as a sweep of Arizona on the road, taking three-of-four from the Cardinals in late April, and the recent four-victories-in-five grueling games in Philadelphia. These have been mainly outweighed by soul-crushing disappointments: dropping two-of-three at home to Arizona and a sweep at the hands of the Cubs, which was backed up immediately by the same in San Francisco. These last two have stuck a shiv into the team’s hopes’ ribs, and if you ask an ever-growing segment of the fan base, effectively killed the 2014 season. As of this writing, the 2014 Mets are eight games under .500 and careening toward a year in which it will take a pretty hectic scramble to avoid losing 100 games. At the same time, as of this writing, the Mets are only six games out of first place in a decidedly weak NL East. They could take an opportunity to improve their lot, if they’re willing to part with a veteran arm or three. Even if they don’t take the risk at a playoff run this year – as far-fetched as that may sound – they could look to make a trade for some future value among other organizations’ position players. So writes Joel Sherman in the June 19 issue of the New York Post.
Once again, it is Sandy Alderson’s unenviable task to try and make chicken salad out of this particular collection of feathers. Does he ship out Jon Niese, Bartolo Colon or Dillon Gee or any combination thereof for immediate help in a phantom pennant race? Or does he repeat his pattern and send them off with an eye toward next year and beyond? Or does he simply do nothing at the July 31 deadline, as suggested by Adam Rubin? There is no easy answer here. Gone are the days when a team like Miami, say, would gladly ship off a star they didn’t want to pay down the road: the Mets aren’t getting Giancarlo Stanton for Ruben Tejada and Chris Young. The advantage, though, as Sherman points out, with so many teams considering themselves “in contention,” there may be an opportunity for a bidding war or two. It would not be out of the realm of possibility for Alderson to find himself pitting two teams against one another.
That would be a lot more fun to watch than yet another desultory series loss.
Follow me on Twitter @CharlieHangley.
I don’t think Sandy is in a tricky spot at all. It is no secret that the team he decided to start the season with was going to be bad. I don’t know what he was thinking when it came to signing Chris ‘ rally killer’ Young. What did he see in this has-been that merited 7.5 million dollars?? And it happened so early on during the off season like he was afraid someone else would sign this bozo before he did. I can’t blame Sandy for putting all his eggs in the pitching basket, but there comes a time when you have to realize that you can’t ignore offensive production if you want see an all round improvement in a team. And for the life of me, I can’t understand why you bring in the fences and still ignore the fact that right center, which is David Wrights strong suit is still too deep to help his best offensive weapon. You don’t have to be a genius to see that the ballpark is in the heads of Mets players. I think Sandy needs to keep in mind that New York is not Oakland and what this town demands is results regardless of the budget restraints that the Wilpon ‘clown-car ‘ management puts on him. This was supposed to be the year we started seeing improvements, instead it leaves me reminded of 1977-80 when you could call up Shea Stadium and ask what time the game today was, and the voice on the other end of the phone would answer, “what time can you make it?” Give us some hope! Give us some reason to come to the ballpark and spend our hard earned dollars on a worthwhile product! Stop the nonsense promotions and promote your team with the only time tested promotion that works – winning!
Sandy Alderson *is* in a difficult position. I’m going to assume he was spouting the company line the other day when he was talking about the Mets being “close,” because any other way of looking at it is too depressing.
Alderson needs to roll the dice and gamble over the next few weeks, and he needs to have luck on his side. It’s time to cash in some pitching for offense – whether it’s Bartolo Colon, Dillon Gee, Jonathon Niese and Daisuke Matsuzaka for prospects, or prospects for hitters who can help the major league team now.
While it’s true that teams never have enough pitching, it’s clear you can’t win without some offense. And there’s no advantage to worrying about fielding a “respectable” team – an increasingly apathetic fanbase wants to see a winner and doesn’t really care if you lose 80 games or 100 if you can’t make a real run at the playoffs.
Eventually the future has to be now. With this being another lost season, the Mets may not even draw 2 million at Citifield the way things are going. Does SA become the next baseball commissioner and bid adieu to the Wilpons? With so many average to below average starters how will the FO be able to sign a FA bat they so desperately need? I’m sorry but the Mets don”t have a future as they are currently constructed. Even the lowly Marlins are playing better than this group of under achievers.
It is only June and it is true that today the Mets are in a tricky spot but everyday day going forward will clarify the situation further. A decision does not have to be made today as there is over a month left before the trade deadline.
I would not trade Niese, Gee, Wheeler or Murphy for more prospects this summer because they are under team control and could bring back major league talent this winter.
Sandy has made some good veteran trades for prospects the past few years. If the Mets decide to trade this summer for prospects then Colon, DiceK and Abreu are the logical candidates. The Wilpon’s have refused to allow Sandy to reinvest the saved veteran salaries into off season upgrades. This is one reason why it is taking so long to turn this team around.
Charlie …
I think its tricky, only if there is something out there that you want and need.
From where I sit, we need a shortstop that is cost controlled and a hitter. That isn’t available at any cost.
And a middle of the order slugger, similarly cost controlled. Again – unless you are thinking CJ Cron – I have a hard time seeing that as available.
So I don’t see us selling, other than to remove redundencies, and I don’t see the confusion for Sandy.
~JGrote