Image credit: Roberto Carlo
To most, the waiting game, especially in professional sports, feels like a vicious cycle. Fans of the New York Mets, a team that has not brought home a title since 1986, have been waiting quite a while, even a lifetime for some (myself included).
It did feel as though we were past the difficult times. The lackluster seasons, cutting corners with spending and lack of resources. Those days were gone once Steve Cohen purchased the team. The 2023 offseason felt like splash after splash. Some good, some bad.
The first gut punch was when career Met, Jacob deGrom, left for Texas in favor of a longer-term deal, no state tax, and whatever ranch he saw fit for him and his family. The Mets quickly rebounded by signing Justin Verlander, Kodai Senga, as well as keeping some of their own in Brandon Nimmo and Edwin Diaz.
Then the season started.. early signs pointed to some struggles and perhaps minor holes within the roster. Injuries mounted, some serious (Díaz, in particular), some quick turnarounds. The thing that never turned around was the team as a whole. A team that even when having your finger on the pulse, is still hard to figure out its rhythm.
On nights the starting pitching goes deep, the bats are asleep. Runs come early in games, the starters give them right back. Perhaps both come together on the same day, the bullpen wags its finger in a taunting manner a la the often memed Dikembe Mutombo.
So when factoring in all these negatives, this team simply can’t go into the trade deadline as aggressive buyers no matter what happens in the games between now and then. Patience is not exciting, but here is how and why it may be the best route for this team long term.
All pending free agents must be on the table. I understand some positives in keeping them and the fact that could get you back in the race could be a part of that sacrifice, but the worst place to be is in between. David Robertson, Tommy Pham, and Mark Canha are all on expiring deals.
There are also some players that perhaps can be shopped cautiously. Adam Ottavino should have suitors. Perhaps Starling Marte can use a change of scenery. Maybe teams desperate for starters will inquire about Verlander or Scherzer if they feel desperate to win in a short window.
Each player has varying levels of value but each serves the same purpose in this vision. Bulk up the farm. A farm that has felt much too top-heavy for the last couple of years.
It may seem out of pocket from the flashy owner in Cohen, but those same pockets can enhance each and every return by signing the check for each player he sends out of the Apple. You then go into an offseason with more freed-up cash, a stronger prospect pool, and eyes wide open staring down top free agents (Shohei Ohtani), and potential trade market candidates like Juan Soto if he remains with San Diego at that point.
As bad as it has been this season, it could be more costly trying to double down and try to solve the flaws with a quick fix. It was always about following the Dodgers model. Build a winner with a consistent shot year in and year out, not one that pokes its head in like one of your in-laws when dinner is ready. One step back for two steps forward.
Sometimes you need to take a step back to have a better look at the big picture.
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