Entering the 2015 season, the New York Mets were looking at making a run to the playoffs for the first time in almost a decade. They were projected as a potential Wild Card team, but oh did they crush that expectation. Boasting arguably the best staff of young starting pitching since the 1990’s Braves, the Mets were dominating other team’s lineups all season long. However, their own lineup was the subject of major concern. Often referred to as a minor league lineup, the Mets barely managed to play .500 baseball for more than half of the season. Luckily for them, the trade deadline brought new life in their bats with the acquisitions of Yoenis Cespedes and Kelly Johnson, as well as Juan Uribe.
The NL East-favored Washington Nationals had an underwhelming season to that point and the Mets jumped on them. They won the National League East because of their exceptional pitching and the new life in the lineup that they had acquired. They would take this hot streak all the way to a World Series appearance, crushing the now seemingly pedestrian expectations of merely making the playoffs that so many fans had been excited for back in April. The Mets would come up short of their ultimate goal losing the World Series in 5 games. Nevertheless, the Mets had a fantastic season.
With that being said, however, one must ask what is next for the young-budding franchise? You would think that the Mets’ future is bright and that a World Championship may not be all that far off in the future, but with an end to the season come significant questions at significant places in their lineup. Will Yoenis Cespedes return? Will the lineup remain strong if he doesn’t? Will the Mets regress back to their poor lineup of the first half of 2015 without players like Cespedes to carry them?
According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, the Mets front office is becoming increasingly willing to allow Cespedes to walk during free agency in order to shore up more cash to sign their young power arms — but this creates a problem for the Mets. Before Cespedes’s arrival, the Mets were fluttering around the .500 mark in the standings. They needed a power bat to launch themselves not just into the World Series but merely to give them a chance at making the playoffs. If the Mets don’t resign Cespedes, they could be right back where they were in pre-trade deadline 2015. This should be a concern for Mets fans as the likelihood of acquiring a less expensive bat is not looking all that good.
With that in mind, what are the offseason needs of the Mets? The Mets will require better infield defense and they will need to retain or acquire some level of the offensive production that they received with Cespedes in 2015. I have created two scenarios breaking down how this goal can be achieved. The first is contingent upon the seemingly impending departure of Cespedes and other 2015 trade deadline acquisitions during free agency. The second is a more specified option that I feel is the best route for the Mets organization to choose despite not being likely based on the Mets current plans.
Option 1:
The following roster would require an offseason acquisition of a power bat to fill the hole in the clean-up spot left vacant by Cespedes and a contact hitter to fill the three-spot in the lineup that formerly belonged to Daniel Murphy (assuming he also walks this winter) . Some noted in-house upgrades would be Dilson Herrera‘s defense at second base, Michael Conforto‘s first full year in the bigs, which at the same time would provide added power and more consistent left field defense.
NOTE: Eventually, Conforto would be the clean-up hitter. However, I do not expect him to reach that level in just his first full season as a starter, therefore a power bat should be a high priority for the Mets next season.
Projected Starting Pitching Rotation:
Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz, and Zack Wheeler
Assuming Cespedes, Murphy, Uribe and Johnson all leave…
Projected Every Day Lineup:
SS: Ruben Tejada
2B: Dilson Herrera
1B Lucas Duda
3B David Wright
C: Travis D’Arnaud
LF: Michael Conforto
CF: Juan Lagares
Option 2:
The following roster would require the Mets to trade Matt Harvey for veteran Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford. This would be done to free up more space to re-sign Yoenis Cespedes and to shore up their infield defense. Crawford also is a power bat that has proven postseason experience.
Projected Starting Pitching Rotation:
Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz, and Zack Wheeler
Assuming Murphy, Uribe and Johnson all leave…
Projected Every Day Lineup:
SS: Brandon Crawford (acquired from San Francisco Giants for Matt Harvey and Ruben Tejada)
2B: Dilson Herrera
1B: Lucas Duda
3B: David Wright
C: Travis D’Arnaud
LF: Michael Conforto
CF: Yoenis Cespedes
After a disappointing end to their 2015 Amazin’ run, it will be interesting to see what General Manager Sandy Alderson does in favor of duplicating this year’s success. Stay tuned for updates as the offseason’s carpet rolls out.
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