Key Additions
Zack Wheeler:
Sure, this 25-year-old came over a few years ago from San Francisco in a trade for Carlos Beltran, but it’s been over a year since we’ve seen him in action.
Last season Wheeler’s 3.50 career ERA and mid-to-high 90s fastball was surely missed while he rehabbed following Tommy John surgery.
Can you imagine adding this kind of talent to the already stacked New York rotation?
Wheeler, Harvey, deGrom, Syndergaard, Matz.
Give me two of each, please and thank you.
Neil Walker, Asdrubal Cabrera:
How’s this for a new-look infield? Goodbye, Daniel Murphy. Hello, better defense and a slightly more powerful version of Murph.
That’s a mouthful, so we’ll just call the new Met second baseman Neil Walker. Coming over from Pittsburgh in a trade for longtime pitcher Jon Niese (who can’t seem to shut up about his former team), Walker has already looked the part as half of the starting middle infield.
Cabrera, on the other hand, is also very capable on both offense and defense. While his range will never best that of Ruben Tejada, or even Wilmer Flores, Asdrubal is sure-handed when he can reach the baseball. Slide him over to third base when The Captain needs a day off (or five) and you’ve got a capable player on a solid 2-year, $18 million deal.
Antonio Bastardo:
Adding to a New York Mets bullpen is always a good idea. Antonio Bastardo looked far from great in spring training, but he’s certainly still expected to become the 7th-inning setup man for Addison Reed and Jeurys Familia who have high hopes in dominating the 8th and 9th.
Anything to replace Tyler Clippard and that circle changeup he always seemed to leave hanging down the middle of the plate, is more than a welcomed addition.
