Completing the series, what follows is a prediction for the AAA affiliate of the New York Mets and I’m more than sure that folks will not agree with me. Before you begin burning my effigy and throwing bricks through my window you need to understand that this isn’t necessarily what I want the Mets to do. With Terry Collins and the Mets’ preference for playing veterans it’s going to be hard for a number of the Mets top prospects to start in the majors.
It all comes down to Sandy Alderson making some key trades.
Lineup:
1. Brandon Nimmo, CF
2. Gavin Cecchini, 2B
3. Amed Rosario, SS
4. Michael Conforto, LF
5. Dominic Smith, 1B
6. Travis Taijeron, RF
7. Matt Oberste, 3B
8. Kevin Plawecki, C
9. L.J. Mazzilli, DH
Rotation:
1. Zack Wheeler – RHP
2. Robert Gsellman – RHP
3. Seth Lugo – RHP
4. Rafael Montero – RHP
5. Tyler Pill – RHP
Bullpen:
1. David Roseboom – Closer – RHP
The Outfield:
There is one glaring strangeness you might notice is the presence of both Conforto and Nimmo but there is an unfortunate truth. Curtis Granderson and Juan Lagares will be back, Jay Bruce will likely be back and we are all praying that Yoenis Cespedes will be back. On the plus side, this is a AAA lineup that should abuse the PCL. The Mets should be looking to trade Bruce and/or Granderson if it is possible to get Conforto and Nimmo back up in Queens.
The Infield:
This is the closest thing I’ve seen to the great Jon Olerud, Edgardo Alfonso, Rey Ordonez and Robin Ventura infield, within the Met system. The defense isn’t as good but the hitting is likely to be much improved. You’ll notice that Oberste is getting a shot at being a full-time third baseman and that Cecchini has shifted to second. This lineup is full of faces you will see in Queens by the end of the year. The Mets will be looking to ship off Lucas Duda so that the path for Smith or Conforto can become clear.
The Pitching:
Let us hope that this is the starting rotation for Las Vegas to begin the year. It could include Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz alongside Wheeler as they all return from various injuries. If that’s the case, Gsellman and Lugo will surely be back in the majors. Roseboom, like most of the closers I’ve listed is coming off a successful 2016 campaign and looking to take the challenge of moving to a higher level.
So, we go from three first-round picks in the majors in the same game to four in the starting lineup in Triple-A.
I guess Travis Taijeron has to wait another year to be a minor league free agent.
It is actually 5 first round picks: Nimmo, Cecchini, Conforto, Smith and Plawecki.
Plawecki was a supplemental pick. Most people don’t make a distinction but I do.
David, I think you are correct that this will be the opening 2017 AAA roster if no trades are not made by Alderson. Your appraisal of Collins and veterans is also correct.
If Cespedes comes back then both Granderson and an optioned Bruce should be traded. The trades should be for high top prospects at the Single A and Double AA levels to replenish and reinvigorate the farm system. An outfield of LF Cespedes/ CF Lagares/Nimmo and RF Conforto should be plenty of offense and defense to be able to contend with this pitching staff. If Cespedes leaves then they should keep either Bruce or Granderson and trade the other.
I agree with Metsense.
Again.
Me too
Me three.
Who’s going to be the spot starter/long reliever? I think Lugo or Gsellman can fill that role.
I agree but since day 1 I have said we need a catcher & it would be very nice if the wilpons will sell the mets & we need coaches & new general manager & manager
Editor’s Note – Please do not capitalize words in your post, as that is a violation of our Comment Policy.
Don’t be greedy now Joe. One thing at a time! lol
Where is Szapucki? Is he in AA next year?
Jim, the highest I can see Szapucki is High A (PSL) but there’s no doubt he’s on the organizational fast track.
Hard to believe that Montero will be back. First, they need the space on the 40 man roster to protect some kids. They need the room for Nido, Beccera, Molina, and Rosario. Second, he isn’t in the top 10 starters of the MLB depth chart and was demoted in order to build confidence, but it didn’t work.
Montero will be DFAed at some point this offseason. If no one claims him, the Mets have the option to outright him.
On the topic of rule 5, the Mets don’t have a must add besides Rosario.
Someone could claim Molina, but they’d have to do some crafty roster work and risk ruining him by keeping in the majors for 45 days or they could 60 day DL him the entire year and try to get his 45 days in 2018. It’s doubtful to me that someone would go thru all that trouble, but the Mets will add him anyways if nothing to boost his confidence.
Everyone else is too far away for any team who wishes to contend to pick up and waste a roster spot on. I just scrolled thru the 2014 and 2015 rule 5 drafts, and only 2 players were picked that had no AA or above experience, so I suppose Matt Oberste would be the next best shot at being taken.
Sandy will end up adding some no-names though, and they are almost always arms. Lugo, Gsellman, and Walters were added last year. Mazzoni and Ynoa in 2014. In years before that i can remember Robles and Goeddel being added.
Is it me or does this starting lineup squad have some nice names in it? The strategy was to have a wave of offensive talent start to make it the majors as the starting pitching was entering their pricey pre-free agent years. Rosario was just named the team’s offensive player of the year by Mlbpipeline. The strategy looks good.