Author: Frank Caggino
Editor: Mark Awadallah
After the Mets spent over 100 days in first place, it is tough seeing a different team from the National League East reaching the World Series. There are multiple reasons why the Mets missed the playoffs, and why the Atlanta Braves went to the World Series. One of the main differences is how these two teams approached the trade deadline this season. The Mets acquired Javier Baez, who was an MVP runner-up in 2018 and an overall very talented player. The Braves acquired four hitters, and while none of them have been MVP finalists, the production of those hitters was integral to the Braves’ success. Baseball is a team sport and even though Baez played well, the team needed far more than one player to change how they performed.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Braves' deadline is that the four players they traded for were all outfielders. What makes this even more interesting, is that without having a designated hitter in the national league, the four players did not start every time. When they did play it was because they were used as pinch hitters if they did not start. The Braves would have Joc Pederson face righties off the bench and it has worked for them during the playoffs. In order to get the most production out of players, they have to be put in the best possible positions to succeed. All of the hitters the Braves bought at the deadline have made a positive impact for them in the playoffs. For example, Eddie Rosario, who the Braves acquired at the deadline, was the NLCS MVP. Each playoff game, it seems like a different player the Braves acquired at the deadline is stepping up for them. The Braves took a quantity over quality approach at the deadline and perhaps this is something the Mets can do in the offseason.
Last offseason, the Mets avoided the luxury tax threshold because they knew their payroll would increase in the future (especially with Cano’s contract kicking in again). The Mets have multiple expiring free agents that could command a significant amount of money with players such as Marcus Stroman and Javier Baez. New York is expected to extend a qualifying offer to Noah Syndegaard and Michael Conforto. Syndergaard is expected to accept the offer which is $18.4 million the Mets will have on the payroll next year. Conforto on the other hand, is looking for a contract potentially over $150 million dollars. Stroman and Baez are also getting over $100 million this offseason which makes it very unlikely that the Mets will retain everyone.
Obviously, fans enjoy dreaming of the Mets signing another star player this offseason such as Carlos Correa. While Correa would be a great fit to help the Mets win, he might not be the smartest fit. The Mets did not have a winning record this season and adding Correa does not guarantee that they will have a winning record. Especially because this would essentially include bringing back Stroman, Baez, and Conforto. If the Mets take the Braves approach, they can get multiple new players to help the team since they need to change things up in many different positions.
One of the free agents not being talked about enough who would be a very good fit for the Mets, is Eduardo Escobar. He was the All-Star representative for the Diamondbacks this season and is an all-around solid player. The Mets struggled hitting with runners on base and Escobar drove in 90 runs this season. Edaurdo drove in 118 runs for Arizona in 2019, which shows that this year was not the first good year for him. Escobar is naturally a third baseman which is a position the Mets could use an upgrade at. He has played all over the field in his career which is always beneficial to have. He is not as good as Correa, but he can provide value at a much cheaper cost. A player that is a natural outfielder who can play the infield is Mark Cahna. He puts up a solid OPS every year and should not cost much to get. The Mets are going to need outfield help if they do not retain Michael Conforto.
One of the most intriguing routes for the Mets to follow in free agency is to acquire the Braves’ recent deadline additions; three of which will be free agents soon. The player of those three that makes the most sense, is Adam Duvall. He drove in 113 runs and did most of it on a bad Marlins team. He can play every outfield position and should be much cheaper than Michael Conforto. The other advantage of signing one of the Braves’ outfielders, is hurting the competition in your division, especially the team that went to the World Series.
The Mets are not one player away from winning the World Series and that is why getting multiple players who are not superstars, might be the best route to go. The Braves trade deadline acquisitions have been better than Atlanta could have ever possibly hoped for. Sometimes teams can get lucky buying a decent player on the low (Aaron Loup) . Let's see if the Mets can get lucky during this next round of transfers and free agency.
SPORTS ARE OUR UNIVERSE
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