By Mark Halpern
Well, Mets fans, here we are again in the offseason with no World Series trophy. However, I am not disappointed they didn’t win the trophy; I was more upset that they didn’t win the division. The Mets have a lot to do in the offseason to try to have a repeat performance of last year.
The Mets have many star players who all just turned Free Agents. Notably Jacob DeGrom, Bandon Nimmo, Edwin Diaz, Chris Bassitt, Trevor May, Seth Lugo, and Taijuan Walker. These players were critical pieces of why the Mets had 20 more wins than last year, and Mets fans have to be happy about that. However, if they lose too much of the team from last year to Free Agency, the Mets will have to find Relief in Free Agency themselves.
All the Mets free agents deserve a contract, but the question is who will be first. We must get Brandon Nimmo locked up now. He is generating the most interest around the league so far. The Blue Jays, Rockies, and Reds are just a few teams that have started making goo-goo eyes and talking with his agent. My prediction is that the moment he is offered a contract Cohen (will) should go and make sure he is in center field next year. Jacob Degrom is the biggest name of Mets free agents to test the market. Only a handful of teams could even make an offer, and it will have to be around 42-45 million AAV in no more than 4 years. I understand what Degrom is doing, and it’s only fitting that he gets what he wants. Edwin Diaz was the best closer in baseball last season and had unique walk-out music that blew Mariano Rivera’s entrance out of the water. When you hear Narco played by Timmy Trumpet, the volume in the stadium can be heard in Westchester county, NY. That being said, Diaz got a five year deal worth 102 million dollars, which is the richest deal for a reliever.
Taijuan Walker had a great first half and was all over in the second half. He deserves another deal with the Mets but will be a casualty because someone will pay big for him. As for Lugo and May, you should try to bring both back.
What do the Mets need the question? The Mets need pitching (starting and relief.) Obviously, the fans want DeGrom back, but I want Carlos Rodon from the Giants. He has been a dominant pitcher in the league over the last 5 years, and he is not getting younger and has said he wants to go to a true contender. The Mets are a perfect fit for him as he can be #3 pitcher for them if DeGrom stays; if DeGrom leaves, then #2 or #3. Bassitt should be given an offer and look like Rodon, either #3 or #4, if DeGrom leaves. The Mets have also talked to Kodai Senga, who pitched in Japan last year. The Mets also need Relief Pitching, and there needs to be a more significant sample of who is out there to get an idea of whom the Mets will go after. I know I’ll take the flak for this but make a play for Aroldis Chapman as the eighth inning man and I would try and pry Taylor Rodgers away from the Brewers.
The Mets desperately need a Designated Hitter. Almost anyone can be a DH, but you want someone reliable. I wish for the Mets to bring back Conforto to be the DH, and he could still play right. After his injury and missing last season, he isn’t going to get a 5 figure contract. I would offer 3 years at a 17 million per year with an option for 4th. Another name to try and explore would be J.D. Martinez. I would give him a two year contract worth 32 million dollars with an option for a third year.
I know we are early into the process, and if it were up to us Mets fans, our payroll would be 500 million. Steve Cohen will spend to get this team to greatness, but a 500mil payroll won’t happen this decade. But we know that Steve Cohen is willing to spend to make the Mets a World Series contender.
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