The recent three team trade between the Mariners, Braves and Tampa involving multiple players, including pitchers and outfielders, tells us that there are still deals that can be made out there. Yet the Mets continue to do nothing about their log jam of right fielders Curtis Granderson, Jay Bruce and Michael Conforto.
It is something the Mets need to resolve, hopefully before the season begins.
It would be nice if they can acquire a better starting catcher and or add some strength to the middle of their bullpen, when one or two of these right fielders are eventually dealt. Hate to see Granderson and or Conforto go, but you have to give something to get something.
They have been very quiet as we watch other teams make deals this off season and hopefully they are working on a big deal. Because if one or two of these logs in the jam gets hurt before the season begins, the Mets would of missed another opportunity to improve their club. Tick tock, tick tock.
Another problem that will one day raise it’s ugly head, is the David Wright mystery. Can he comeback from his surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck? Does Prince Fielder ring a bell here? Jose Reyes proved a decent replacement for Wright last year. What do they do with him? Does he become a platoon guy in the outfield and fill in for Wright at third, when he inevitably goes down again?
Tick tock tick tock. By the way, I can’t remember too many platoon switch hitters in the big leagues.
Sandy Alderson has a lot of decisions to make, requiring a good deal of work and luck. But the availability of good players, that could be acquired in a trade or two is getting thin. Tick tock, tick tock. Most teams are set in the direction they want to go, with only some tweaks left in their organizations.
The Mets have to hope someone, somewhere amongst the other 29 teams will go down in the outfield. Is that what Sandy is waiting for? Tick tock, tick tock. They could get a better return from a team that is desperate and would need to take advantage of someone else’s misfortune.
But that is relying on getting lucky. Alderson needs to become the “Godfather” and not Mr. Met. “Make them an offer they can’t refuse, leave the gun, take the cannoli.” Hey, do something!
He needs to be tough and somewhat creative in this deal for his outfielders and yet keep an eye on the clock. We have been watching the Metropolitans do the waltz instead of the Cha Cha this winter. They need to be careful here, because when the corn fields are all picked clean, the only thing left is tumbleweed.
Tick tock tick tock.
William Coppola just completed his 40th year in the game of baseball. He has been a coach, instructor and advanced scout.
