As the winter meetings come to a close, the New York Mets were in the middle of the pack when it came to making moves. The Yankees and Angels came out as big winners, while the Mets opted to add depth pieces. Now that we move towards 2020, what is next move for Brodie Van Wagenen?
The @Mets bolster their rotation. (Reportedly*)
Welcome to Queens, @RickPorcello & @MichaelWacha!
(*reported by @Feinsand & @Ken_Rosenthal) pic.twitter.com/cRKmYj7xlU
— Cut4 (@Cut4) December 12, 2019
The additions of Michael Wacha and Rick Porcello were low risk, high reward moves, but that has become the norm under Van Wagenen. Some have panned out, but they are still a couple of pieces away from becoming a top tier contender in the NL East. The moves to add starters have filled a part of their needs, but what else is left?
Who Else is There to Sign?
The most significant piece for the Mets to sign Dellin Betances to solidify their rotation. Should they sign him, the Mets have the potential to possess one of the most dominant bullpens in baseball. Of course, we are playing the hoping game but stick with it here. A bullpen of Edwin Diaz, Seth Lugo, Dellin Betances, Jeurys Familia, Brad Brach, Justin Wilson, Robert Gsellman is loaded with potential.
We have to assume Diaz and Familia were no where near the pitchers they were last year and are due for a bounce-back in 2020. Plus, this is a bullpen that is without one of the six starting pitchers that will head to the pen.
Mets still working to try to offload a contract, likely Jed Lowrie
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 12, 2019
The other need should still be an everyday center fielder. Jake Marisnick was assumed to be the every day center fielder, but he will be nothing more than a Juan Lagares replacement. His role should be to replace either Michael Conforto or Brandon Nimmo as a defensive replacement in center field.
Get Marte or Get More Pitching
Starling Marte should be the man they want to play center field everyday. The Mets have the pieces in place to make the trade, but should the Mets hesitate to pull the trigger; they should have another plan in place. If they unload Jed Lowrie’s contract, they should aim to bolster their pitching staff with major league ready arms. It does not matter whether they start or relieve; the options have to be available.
Sources: Mets have talked to the Rangers about right-hander reliever Jose Leclerc.
Leclerc, 25, had 4.33 ERA, 100 K in 68 innings in 2019@Ken_Rosenthal was the first to mention that the Rangers and Mets had talked about a deal potentially including Dom Smith and Jed Lowrie.
— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) December 12, 2019
The Mets were relatively lucky with health in their pitching staff in 2019. They cannot depend on the same health and should plan for the worst. If the Mets can limit guys like Walker Lockett and Drew Gagnon from making 27 combined appearances and cut that number in half, it will put the team in a much better position to contend in 2020.