Hiring a young manager– The Mets are leaving the Terry Collins era, a time when they had the oldest manager in all of baseball, for seven years. While Collins brought the team success in terms of making it to the World Series, many agreed it was time for him to go. With Alex Cora out of the picture, it seems as if the final four candidates for the job are Manny Acta, Kevin Long, Mickey Callaway, and Joe McEwing. While none of these men are particularly young, Mickey Callaway is the youngest at 42. He also has a terrific record with as the Indians pitching coach. A young coach may be able to better help and understand the concerns that this current Mets team, which is built around it’s pitching rotation, may have.
Sign Mike Moustakas, for one year– With another surgical procedure, David Wright has essentially eliminated himself from more baseball games for the upcoming season. If the Mets want to succeed in 2018, they simply can’t rely on Wright to be their starting third baseman. Moustakas, at age 29, is entering free agency this winter. It would be wise for the Mets to sign him as a stopgap at third in case they wanted to chase a bigger third base target, such as Nolan Arenado or Manny Machado in next year’s free agent hunt. It would be a smart move by Moustakas to raise his value and recieve a high-figure contract that will be slightly less money from a team that missed out on Machado or Josh Donaldson. For both sides, it is a win-win. Besides, who wouldn’t want a player who hit .272 and slugged 38 home runs?
Save money for 2018– Going along with my second item, the Mets should save money for the 2018 free agent market. Any extra cash will certainly be needed. With a free-agent market that is expected to present the likes of Bryce Harper, Klayton Kershaw, Donaldson, Machado, and more elite talent, there will be a bevy of money to spend. The Mets will most likely already have money invested in their rotation, so they will have to be cautious in the way they spend on position players this offseason.
Aquire a veteran starting pitcher– Rotational depth, or lack of thereof, killed the Mets last season. Injuries to Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz, Matt Harvey wrecked any chance the Mets had of having a strong, effective relationship. To prevent this from happening, the Mets should look to acquire a veteran starting pitcher. Starters like Trevor Cahill and Jeremy Hellickson should be available for the Mets to make an offer to, and they would be wise to do so. Having a veteran starter to lead the young arms of the Mets wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
Acquire a pinch-runner– In 2017, the Mets finished 27th in stolen bases. In some games, a crucial stolen base could lead to getting the winning or tying run into scoring position. Adding speed should be a no-brainer for this team, especially if it comes at a cheap price. Having a designated pinch runner will always be useful, and there will be ample situations where a pinch runner will be useful for the team.
you are a fool. moustakas will not sign one year deal. i hope everyone stopped reading after that pathetic analysis
I did
In what universe does Moustakas signs a one year deal?
What makes you think that “Moose” finally entering FA is going to sign a one year contract Dalton? Totally unrealistic. He’s probably looking for at 3-4 years maybe 5. At 18-20 million annually. As for saving money there is no money to save. The Wilpons are tapped out every year. Finally what makes you think the Mets are going to outbid any elite team with room in their payroll? i’m sorry Dalton but some of your analysis doesn’t add up
Why would Moustakas sign for 1year? This is probably his only big payday and he’s going multi year, big bucks!
Moustakas for 1 year….. and a Designated Pinch Runner— You’re The New Branch Rickey
Ooh boy,someone is in over his head!
Daulton, the chances of getting Moustakas in a one year deal are slim, but it may happen. As with Cespedes two years ago, if Moustakas is underwhelmed and wants to use New York as a stage, he may take a one year knockout offer. That one year blowout on money makes the player happy and allows for the team’s future flexibility. The problem is always DW, but that’s another story.
As for pinch runners, the short bench does not really allow for such, but Gsellman is very fast, deGrom is fast, and Matz is pretty fast. So, there are options from non-conventional sources that don’t eat up your bench spots.
Lastly, as Alderson has spoken about a person with previous managerial experience (Acta) that is well versed in metrics (Acta), the new manager could be a smart and personable 48 year old.
I don’t give a snot about Fred Coupon’s pocket and it’s well documented that the Mets want to add a dependable arm.
Bad idea to think the very fragile Mets starting pitchers should be pinch runners. Simply bring up Kevin Kaczmarski who has speed, steals bases, catches and throws the ball well and hits for average but not for power. You have him as 5th OFer. Problem of pinch running solved. If Kacz does really well then you think about starting him in CF.
First, you think Moustakas is going to sign a 1-year deal? Really? And then you write this line “Injuries to Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz, Matt Harvey wrecked any chance the Mets had of having a strong, effective relationship.”–what does that mean. Relationship? Either you’re having troubles or you were watching a chick flick while you were trying to write this. I wish you well. I, for one, wish the Mets had a winning relationship.