Let’s See What the Next Level Looks Like
Mets have a pivotal offseason ahead..
Image credit: Chris Simon
For a substantial part of the 2022 season, New York Mets were flying high, enjoying the fruits of high-contact offense, high-quality pitching, highly-regarded defense (not that high on Rawlings’ lists…), and firmly secured on a high-speed rail toward the postseason.
Then with the earth far below them, the tumble and dive began.
A red-hot Atlanta team winning nearly 80-of-100 down the stretch combined with a litany of spots and series wasted by the Mets and.. splat. Don’t worry, we’re not gonna rehash the innards of that painful demise in this space anytime soon. What’s done is done.
So what’s next? A lot, to be perfectly honest. The Mets have internal decisions to make, free agents and a trade market to gauge, and opportunities to create.
And yes, when you’re at the center of the bullseye (what do you call it when the baseball world celebrates the end of your season?), you absolutely need to create your own opportunities.
Can’t imagine there will be many teams lining up to help Steve Cohen and his band of merry seamheads succeed.
In all likelihood, the front-office peers Mets GM Billy Eppler will be keeping in touch with and tabs on this winter will have visions of swindling Mets prospects for substandard returns dancing in their heads. Gotta love the holiday spirit.
This offseason should be stamped HANDLE WITH CARE. There’s quite a bit riding on the next foot to fall for this franchise.
No matter how it ended, this season inserted the Mets into a new power bracket, not simply a deeper-pocketed one. Win 101 games and come up short? Now it’s time to act accordingly.
Image credit: Roberto Carlo
Spending to win is good, but spending wisely and winning is better.
Make no mistake, if a $293 million luxury tax payroll got the Mets as far as it did in 2021, it’s fair to presume the bar has been set. It’s a new day in Flushing. And that’s not to say Cohen’s Billions will be tossed around carelessly just to hit that monetary mark again. Again, ya gotta be smart.
Will the Mets’ 2023 payroll break the $350 million plateau? Who knows. That’s a huge number. With a frugal eye turned onto the situation—even with the re-signings we all want to see materialize in Jacob deGrom, Edwin Díaz, Brandon Nimmo, Chris Bassitt, Adam Ottavino, extensions for a few more, et al—it may not be absolutely necessary.
It’s certainly possible, though. And would definitely be fun. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. If that sort of opportunity is on the table, all we ask, as fans, is for this organization to do it right.
A 101-win core is in place. The foundation has been poured and set. Let’s see what the next level looks like.
Never any paywalls. Once it hits the site, it’s yours. Of course, it's greatly appreciated if you want to help keep the lights on.
Become a paid subscriber below, or if you enjoyed the story, drop a buck or two in our Venmo account (@TheAppleNYM)