The Mets are Closer to Contention than You Think

The Mets are Closer to Contention than You Think

 

 

Growing up in New York City the Mets have always been the little brother and running joke of the city. Even in years they were good they were living in the shadow of the Yankees. The tide is about to turn though because the Mets are poised to overtake the Yankees and not look back. Now I know most of you are going to laugh at that and point to history and the Yankees’ checkbook as your arguments but I am here to tell you this time is different.

The Mets are playing very well right now thanks in large part to the consistency of their starting rotation. Seeing how the National League has played out thus far there’s no reason to think the Mets couldn’t be a factor down the stretch and be playing meaningful baseball after the trade deadline. I don’t personally feel the playoffs will be reached by the team this year but getting the experience of playing in meaningful games and being in the race is key. 
The future is bright for this team. The talent in house is there. Next year will be when everything falls into place. That is of course if ownership can open up the checkbook and sign on the dotted line for the outside help this team will need to supplement what’s there already.
Whether it is at/before the trade deadline or even in the offseason, the number one priority for this team is shortstop. Ruben Tejada is not cutting it and never will. Fans are ready to see just about anyone out there at short in his place. The good thing for the Mets is that there are plenty of options available. They had an interest in Stephen Drew but he was asking for more than a one year deal and wouldn’t budge. Can’t get him? Who cares try one of the other options. The Arizona Diamondbacks have two shortstops, Chris Owings and Didi Gregorious, attempt to acquire one of them. The Cleveland Indians have a prospect by the name of Francisco Lindor who could very well see the Major Leagues come September. His presence makes Asdrubal Cabrera expendable. This offseason J.J. Hardy will be a free agent and I don’t see him going back to Baltimore. He may very well be the best all around shortstop in the game, make a run at him if you feel he’s the best choice. Regardless of what direction the Mets choose to go, they need to pick one. Tejada must go.
The bullpen will also need to be retooled but not too much. Bobby Parnell will be back and can slide into the closer role again or even into a setup role for Vic Black, a guy that I personally see as this team’s future closer. He will get the call up at some point this season and will not look back. Jake DeGrom is another impact arm I see fitting into the bullpen at some point this season and not looking back. Adding these two guys into the mix with a healthy Parnell will solidify the relievers.

There will also be a surplus of starters on this team that they can choose to do many things with. The old saying goes that you can never have too much starting pitching but the Mets may in fact have that problem. A returning Matt Harvey will join Zack Wheeler, Jenry Mejia, Jon Niese, Noah Syndergaard, Dillon Gee, Rafael Montero, and one more year of Bartolo Colon. That’s more than enough firepower and they can use any and all of those names as trade bait. Figure out who you see as your future and get whatever you can for the rest.

As far as the offense is concerned, other than a shortstop this team can do some damage with what’s in house and what they can promote in the future. Travis D’Arnaud needs to stay healthy, which he’s done a fairly good job of since being a main stay on the big league roster. If he can do that he will produce. Dominic Smith is down in the minors working his way to the show but for now Lucas Duda is capable of holding his spot. If guys like Prince Fielder and Ryan Howard can still get away with playing first base so can Lucas Duda. Now granted I realize he is nowhere near the offensive player these guys were and in Howard’s case still is, even though Howard is well past his prime due to injuries. That’s not the point. He moves better than both and is not as big a liability in the field so you take what you can get at the plate. Daniel Murphy is a good player to have on your team and can handle the bat. Nothing needs to be said about David Wright. He’s the best player in all of New York and the building block of the franchise. Juan Lagares has proven he can play an exceptional centerfield and is another guy with whom you take what you get at the plate. Curtis Granderson may need to stay in a platoon role with Chris Young or whomever else the team wants to bring in from the right side. Brandon Nimmo will be a permanent fixture in the outfield once he is ready. He is swinging an unbelievably hot bat at the moment which of course will cool down but he is an everyday player in this league.

As stated before there are pieces in place and ready to be put in place to achieve success. Management and ownership needs to do their part to help. Another huge reason this team is ready to take over their city is the fact that with Derek Jeter retiring the last shred of greatness and Yankee tradition will be gone. The Yankees will be ushering in a new era and will have to do whatever they can do in order to get many New Yorkers to still believe in the team. The diehard fans won’t go anywhere but the casual fans and those others with no true allegiance are up for grabs. This is the Mets opportunity. They need to grab it by the horns and not let go. Do not let history repeat itself. Stop being a laughing stock and become a powerhouse.

Thank you for joining us for Day 2 of 30 Days Around the Majors. Come back tomorrow for Day 3 as we will discuss the Los Angeles Angels and whether they can make a run at contention in the AL West. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @changingspeeds for our continuing coverage of the national pastime.