An Amazin’ Holiday Season: The New York Mets Christmas Wishlist
The New York Mets might have a superstitious aversion to Santa, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a few things on their wish list this holiday season.
After a disappointing 2018 things are looking up for the New York Mets, who have made some nice pickups this offseason that are sure to improve their roster going into next year. Robinson Cano, Edwin Diaz and Wilson Ramos are all fixing to look pretty good in the orange and blue, and it doesn’t seem like rookie GM Brodie Van Wagenen is done dealing quite yet, which isn’t something Mets fans are exactly used to.
With that being said, things could always be better. The Mets haven’t been the only NL East team strengthening their roster this winter; the Phillies and Braves have also made some big moves, and it looks like next years’ division title could go to pretty much anybody (except for the Marlins). With a lot of free agents still available and plenty of good players on the trading block it’s quite possible that the most important move in the NL East hasn’t even been made yet.
So, since it’s the holiday season, let’s dream a little. Let’s pretend that Santa isn’t a curse to the Mets. Let’s pretend that he’s received a wishlist from Mr. Met, and that it looks a little something like this:
Bryce Harper or Manny Machado
It’s sure a pain when every kid wants the same toy, but that’s just the way that the holidays go sometimes. The quest to sign Bryce Harper or Manny Machado probably won’t lead to as many fist fights as the quest to get the last Cabbage Patch Doll did in the ’80s, but it will lead to the same kind of disappointment for those left empty handed.
Of the two Harper most easily fits into the Mets roster as currently constructed; Brandon Nimmo has the speed to play center field, which would leave right field open for Bryce and send Juan Lagares to the bench, a major offensive upgrade. Things might get a little crowded out there when/if Yoenis Cespedes returns post all star break, but there’s certainly worse problems to have.
Machado would be tougher to find a spot for, but he’s good that it would be worth figuring out. Todd Frazier had some durability problems last year, and when he was on the field he wasn’t totally consistent; there probably wouldn’t be major complaints from the fanbase if Machado took over for him as the primary third baseman. This wouldn’t be a move to totally erase Frazier from the lineup; he’s played first in the past, and that’s a spot that’s a real question mark for the Mets right now. There’s also some rumors that Robinson Cano might play a bit of first for the team, which would leave second open for Manny.
If Mets fans want Harper or Machado they might really have to ask Santa; the team’s ownership isn’t known for signing big name free agents, especially not ones in their primes. Since 2010 Bartolo Colon and Jason Bay have been the only free agents signed by the Mets with previous season bWARs over 4, and even then both were over 30.
Some Sort of Job For David Wright
David Wright means a lot to Mets fans, as was made apparent in late September when Citi Field filled to the brim as the Mets faithful paid tribute to the Captain during his final game. The fact that nobody really turned on Wright during his injury plagued career in the way that New York fans are known to do is pretty remarkable, and another example of how he was truly beloved.
It would be a shame to let that go. Wright’s body is not in a state where he can play anymore but he still has a great baseball mind, and has shown a desire to continue working with the team in the future. The fact that he was invited to join Mets executives at this years winter meetings is a good sign on this front, and fans will be watching closely to see how his involvement evolves over the next few years.
Because Wright is so respected in the baseball community there is also the possibility that another team might try to snatch him up if the Mets aren’t proactive, though it certainly seems like the Mets are his first choice as they’re the only team he’s ever played for. Still, they should be mindful of the possibility because it would be pretty heartbreaking to see Wright working for another team.
DeGrom and Syndergaard Both Making 30+ Starts
Last year Jacob DeGrom had one of the best seasons out of any pitcher in recent memory, and Noah Syndergaard, when on the field, was also a force to be reckoned with. The two Mets aces are generational talents, but as a duo we haven’t quite seen their full potential.
Recently Syndergaard has had some durability issues; over the past two seasons combined he’s only accrued 32 starts, and his hard throwing style can be pretty rough on the arm. Not helping things is the fact that the Mets rotation isn’t particularly deep. Syndergaard’s absence generally means that Seth Lugo, who is more effective in the bullpen, or Corey Oswalt, who isn’t quite ready for the majors, have to pick up a rotation spot, a situation that is less than ideal.
Syndergaard’s health will be a big key in the Mets making a real run at the division in 2019, so him bucking the injury bug is certainly something on every Mets fans wishlist. Facing two starters in a row who have the potential for sub 3.00 ERA, 200+ strikeout seasons is a managers nightmare, and if the Mets can put teams in that situation consistently it will be a thing of beauty.
Peter Alonso Getting Brought Up ASAP
Service time is a touchy subject in baseball right now, and players who are ready for the majors often aren’t brought up immediately for reasons that have more to do with finances than skill. It’s for this reason that Mets fans shouldn’t expect to see prospect Peter Alonso brought up to the big club on opening day, even though he seems like just the kind of hot right handed bat the team needs.
With that understood, we still need to see the kid sooner rather than later. Clips of him crushing homers in the Arizona Fall League got many Mets fans salivating, and his statcast numbers are off the charts. Jacob DeGrom’s record from last year shows that good pitching alone can’t win ball games, and the Mets can’t afford to let another Cy Young worthy season go to waste by not bringing up a good bat in the name of saving some money.
New Owners
OK, so this one definitely won’t happen, not for a while any way, but this is a Christmas wish list, not a Christmas prediction list. Owners and fans often have a contentious relationship, but the Wilpons are especially lauded for their aversion to spending money on a team located in the country’s number one media market. Not helping the dynamic is the fact that two of the teams minority owners are Bill Maher and Anthony Scaramucci, neither of whom are famous for being the most likable figures.
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This all comes after the Wilpons were one of the faces of the huge Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme scandal. In the end, the Wilpons had to pay significant money to the victims of the scheme, making them an even less likable group for the many everyday fans who felt “big money” was stealing from them in the midst of the financial downturn in 2008-2009.
New GM Brodie Van Wagenen has been doing a pretty good job with the financial constraints being put on him, but with his ambition and more flexibility, the Mets would probably be looking even more like contenders. So, while we’re making wishes, why not add this one to the list? Christmas is a time for miracles after all.
Rival writer refuses to vote for Rivera. dark. Next
What do you think? Is there anything else the Mets may want or need this holiday season? Comment below!