The Mets made an outfield move yesterday but it wasn’t what any of us were expecting. Instead of dabbling in the free agent market, they made a trade. And instead of shedding salary, they took on a semi-reclamation project in Keon Broxton. Right now the conventional wisdom is that Broxton and Juan Lagares will split time in center field. It seems optimistic but it could work. Broxton’s only one year removed from a solid year and Lagares brings elite defense when he’s able to get on the field. Still, it seems like there’s another shoe to drop. What do you think?
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Add offense; they haven’t yet. I propose a trade for Jose Martinez, but don’t see a match with St. Louis. If the Mets were willing to sign Nelson Cruz, why not Martinez? Too, his defensive numbers last year weren’t as awful as we hear. His bat is strong and would mean alot to this lineup. You can go defense in the 7th inning or after his 4th plate appearance.
Poach Yusiel Puig from the reds. He’s a head case …but a stud. Trade them flexen, Oswalt , pawlecki, and dom Smith. Then buy Keuchel and enjoy the ride.
I voted something else, but my real answer is “it depends”. As Gus pointed out, they are still thin on offense. This requires an upgrade somewhere, but the somewhere really is only at 3b or in the OF. They seem committed to Alonso at 1b more or less, which is fine. Pollock or Gonzalez would add more pop but may not be worth the price, I get it. Waiting out the market makes sense. A big wildcard here is what they can reasonably be expected from McNeil and TDA in regards to positional versatility. I think having Dom Smith as Alonso insurance and playing him daily in the OF at Syracuse makes a ton of sense. Unless they get Pollock at a good price, and unless they’ve Machado or Harper, there may not be much in terms of wins they can get from positional additions.
But, where they can still improve is in the pen and at the back end of the rotation. Lack of aggression there, despite the “aggressive GM”, is concerning and telling.
TJ, excellent post and very thorough. All Mets games hope for prudence rather than being passive. I get why the “they believe in the team” BS they sell us, but if they really did consider Cruz, but only wanted him on a one year deal, then they obviously see the need for offense. Yes, they are better than last year. Problem is I think there is real room for improvement and since Frazier is such a valued leader, it needs to be in Left Field. Once Cespedes comes back, then one can be traded, or if Alonso isn’t all the goods and a bag of chips, then there’s another hitter is insurance for that too.
Sign Harper! It would change the entire dynamics of baseball!
Something else:
Sign Gonzales because of versatility especially as a back up for Rosario.
Or shoot the moon for Machado who would fill the hole at SS or 3B.
But if neither above then hope for a January Sale for Pollock.like 1 yr/$15 (because his present demands are too high and too fragile).
As long as MLBTR is writing that Pollack is the next best offensive player after the big two, he will wait for his deal. Do you think the upgrade from what the Mets have now to Pollock is worth signing two relievers? Meaning you could have Pollock or two relievers, what helps this team more right now?
And… is there anything left to trade for Jose Martinez? Would you do McNeil for Martinez now that you have Davis?
Get Marwin.
My heart wants Harper, but my head tells me they will, and should stand pat. (And that’s how I voted.) With a starting OF of Conforto, Broxton/Lagares, & Nimmo, and bench guys like Davis, Smith, d’Arnaud & McNeill, all of who will be given OF time during spring training, the Mets have strong offensive potential and adequate depth.
Broxton needs to hit more, strike out less and get his OBP up around .340 – .350 and he will contend for the SB league lead. Davis, a career .884 OPS minor leaguer, can mature into a 30+ HR 3B when Frazier is gone next year.
IMO, we should be spending our remaining off season budget on pitching. Wait out the market and sign one of either Derek Holland, Wade Miley or Drew Pomeranz as rotation depth, competing with Jason Vargas for the #5 starter, with the loser going to the pen. Also sign Adam Warren or Brad Brach to further shore up the pen.