New York Mets: Time for a moderate roster teardown

The New York Mets are a talented bunch that have not been able to figure things out. Now, it is time for a moderate teardown.

The New York Mets have been a promising team for quite some time, as highlighted by their 2015 World Series run. Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard form an outstanding one-two punch at the top of the rotation, and the roster is littered with talent.

Despite coming within a few wins of a World Series title and the promise of more to come, the Mets have never been able to put it all together.

Pitching and defense win championships, and the Mets have always been built on strong pitching. deGrom and Syndergaard are each among the best starting pitchers in the league, but health has always been an issue for Syndergaard. Last year, he tossed just 30.1 innings.

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Matt Harvey appeared to be an ace as well, but overuse and off-the-field issues contributed to his inevitable expulsion from New York. Now, Harvey is toiling away with the Cincinnati Reds.

Finally, Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler rounded out the rotation that Syndergaard claimed contained five aces. Each pitcher has struggled while battling injuries, failing to tap into the potential they are believed to possess.

The injury issues extend to the Mets’ position players as well, with Travis d’Arnaud, Juan Lagares, and T.J. Rivera set to miss the remainder of the 2018 season. Other key players, such as Yoenis Cespedes, Todd Frazier, and Hansel Robles also find themselves on the shelf.

Unfortunately, the Mets, who began the year 11-1, now find themselves in fourth place in the National League East. The Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves, and Philadelphia Phillies all appear to be postseason contenders, likely leaving the Mets on the outside looking in.

To make matters worse, the Mets do not have a single top-100 prospect. They have some young talent in the majors, but there is not much help on the way.

In order to cut their losses in 2018 and turn the organization around, the Mets should consider a moderate teardown. They do have some young talent, so they will not require a complete rebuild, but a moderate teardown could put them on the fast track to contention.

Each team has players that are off limits, and the Mets are no different. Syndergaard, Amed Rosario, Michael Conforto, and Brandon Nimmo should not go anywhere. All four players are 25 or younger, meaning they will remain under team control for the foreseeable future and be in the center of the rebuild.

On the other hand, deGrom, Cespedes, Jay Bruce, Frazier, Jeurys Familia, A.J. Ramos, Jerry Blevins, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Devin Mesoraco should be on the trade block.

deGrom is under team control through 2020 and has established himself as an elite starting pitcher. There will not be many starters available at the trade deadline, with Chris Archer serving as the headliner, meaning the Mets could demand a king’s ransom for deGrom.

Between the value of starting pitching in today’s game, the lack of quality arms presumably on the move, and deGrom’s contract status, the Mets could receive quite the haul for their ace. As we saw the Chicago White Sox do a couple of years ago, trading stars can turn an average farm system into a terrific one in the blink of an eye.

Cespedes, Bruce, and Frazier may be difficult to unload due to their hefty contracts, but the Mets could work out a deal if they are willing to eat some money. Each player provides pop at the plate and defensive versatility, making them valuable trade chips. Any trade would require a bit of creativity, but it could be worked out.

Meanwhile, Familia, Ramos, Blevins, Cabrera, and Mesoraco are all in contract years. Relievers are always in high demand at the deadline, so finding a trade partner for Familia, Ramos, and Blevins should not be difficult.

Cabrera could also fit several teams. He plays all over the infield, making him a fit for any team in search of an infielder. He hit .280 in each of the last two years and has hit .312 in his first 39 games of 2018, making it obvious that he can still swing it at 32.

Add in Cabrera’s veteran presence and the fact that he has played in four postseasons, and he is an excellent infield trade target behind Manny Machado.

Finally, Mesoraco could be moved this summer. Like relievers, catchers are almost always in demand. The Nats may be in the market for a catcher, with several other teams sure to enter the mix.

Veteran catchers do not grow on trees, which could lead to Mesoraco being a man in demand as the trade deadline approaches.

Tanking has become as much a part of baseball as the seventh inning stretch, with several teams making no effort to contend. The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs won the last two World Series, and each had a 100-loss season this decade.

100-loss seasons are frustrating for everyone involved, but they have become a proven path to success.

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Fortunately for the New York Mets, they do not have to go through a complete teardown. By trading some of their big names and undergoing a moderate teardown, they can remain relevant while on the fast track to contention.

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