New York Mets: Five under-the-radar moves to boost the 2017 roster

The New York Mets have had plenty of success since 2015. But with some internal and external moves, the 2017 World Series wouldn’t be far off.

After resigning star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to what finally looks like a permanent contract, the New York Mets have been able to largely keep together a squad that has made the postseason in consecutive years for just the second time in team history.

Jay Bruce and Curtis Granderson, who have been surrounded by swirling trade rumors all offseason, are still on the roster and project to round out the Mets outfield with Yo.

The starting staff, which was 60 percent injured by the conclusion of 2016, is looking as though they’ll be fully healthy when Spring Training arrives come March. Former top prospect and two-year rotation participant Zack Wheeler is coming off his second full season missed following Tommy John surgery, but even he projects to at least begin 2017 in the bullpen.

Speaking of the ‘pen, MLB saves leader Jeurys Familia is likely to be suspended by the league after an alleged domestic violence incident that officially ended following the dropping and expunging of a simple assault charge at the request of his wife.

His probable absence leaves the closer job to setup man Addison Reed, and will push everyone a slot up, including Josh Smoker and Hansel Robles.

But although general manager Sandy Alderson has been very quiet to this point, there is still a large portion of the hot stove that still needs to burn.

So here’s five internal and external moves the Mets could make to improve their chances at a World Series title in 2017.

Acquire Oakland LHP Sean Doolittle

There have been quite a few recommendations for this on ESNY, but for good reason. Athletics‘ reliever Sean Doolittle would be a coup for the Mets’ bullpen, as the southpaw has closing experience, and would immediately bolster the team’s weak lefty group consisting of just Smoker and Josh Edgin.

Doolittle has been one of the most consistent relievers in the majors since his debut in 2012. Over those five seasons, he has produced a 3.07 ERA, a minuscule 0.95 WHIP and 269 strikeouts over 231.2 innings pitched.

He has also accumulated 33 saves over that time, including 22 in a career year in 2014 as closer for the A’s. That ninth inning expertise would come heavily in handy with Familia’s lengthy absence likely to be assigned to him soon.

Smoker stands currently as the most talented lefty arm the Mets have lined up to be in the ‘pen in 2017, but he isn’t a typical southpaw. In fact, he allowed a .360 average to lefties last season, while letting up just a .200 average to right-handed hitters.

On the other hand, lefties hit just .206 against Doolittle in 2016, while he allowed a still low .250 average to righties. So Doolittle’s arrival in Queens would significantly improve many important areas of the Mets’ bullpen in one fell swoop.

Get Jose Reyes in the lineup everyday

It doesn’t matter how manager Terry Collins finds a way to do it, but it has to be done. Jose Reyes needs to be in the starting lineup every day he possibly can be in 2017. The spark he provided during the Mets’ stretch run in 2016 was a significant part of what got them to the NL Wild Card game.

The shortstop turned utility-man provided an expected on-base and speed boost last season, along with unexpected power hitting, including 13 doubles, four triples, and eight home runs in just 60 games. Reyes also played a very solid third base, showing he still has a plus-arm from his time at short, as well as the range and charging ability necessary for him to play at the hot corner for an extended period of time.

Incumbent third baseman David Wright is coming off another sub-40 game season, and his spinal stenosis is worse than ever. The consummate pro is confident that he’ll be able to participate in 130 games this upcoming season if he’s used correctly, but that sounds a little unrealistic. That could open plenty of opportunities for Reyes to step in for him throughout the season.

Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and second baseman Neil Walker are both coming off serious and nagging injury issues from last season, and Reyes has more than enough ability to step in at those positions as well should that duo need a rest at any point.

Team brass have shown an interest in giving Reyes time in the outfield during Spring Training, opening up another opportunity for him to find time in the lineup in 2017.

Trade Grandy-man for the Orioles Brad Brach, Rangers Jeremy Jeffress or Cardinals Trevor Rosenthal

Both Curtis Granderson and Jay Bruce have been the subject of intense trade rumors since the inception of this offseason, with Alderson reportedly wanting to trade Bruce and hold on to Granderson for his center field ability. But the market has wanted Granderson more.

Orioles RHP Brad Brach has been the most common name tossed around in reports, and he would be a great acquisition. He made the All-Star game last season for the first time in his career, producing a 2.05 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP and 92 strikeouts in 79 innings tossed. Baltimore almost pulled the trigger on a deal for him for Bruce straight up, but then backed off. So by offering Granderson, a trade would be more likely.

But two more unknown names that could be open to be dealt for not too much are the Cardinals Trevor Rosenthal and Rangers Jeremy Jefress.

Rosenthal is coming off a career worst year that saw him garner a 4.46 ERA and a whopping 1.90 WHIP. But most of that can be attributed to a bad stretch through June and July, whereas he righted the ship in September to the tune of a 1.29 ERA.

Take away 2016 and Rosenthal has thrown a solid 2.66 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in his career, paired with 96 saves and 303 strikeouts over 237 innings. So his value is about as low as it’s going to get right now if the Mets want to trade for an arm to shore up the ‘pen.

Jeffress fits the same bill as Rosenthal – a former closer that can throw hard, but recently lost his job. The former Brewers‘ ninth inning man had 27 saves for them in 2016, before being moved to Texas with Jonathan Lucroy.

Over the last three seasons, Jefress has developed himself into a great relief arm, posting a 2.56 ERA and 138 strikeouts during 158 innings pitched over that stretch. Again, his value is as low as it will likely be for a while, so it would behoove Alderson to move on him soon if there is any interest there.

 

Get an everyday center fielder in Charlie Blackmon

It would take quite a bit to pry Charlie Blackmon away from the Rockies, but his power, speed and true center field ability is something that the Mets currently severely lack.

Since making his only All-Star game in 2014, Blackmon has become one of the premier five-tool center fielders in the MLB, posting an 162 game statistical average of a .299/.354/.480 line, 103 runs, 34 doubles, seven triples, 24 home runs, 76 RBIs and 32 steals. He even hit a career high 29 homers last season, along with a .324 average and .381 on-base percentage – placing him 26th in the NL MVP vote.

The Rockies are in an eternal search for starting pitching, so Robert Gsellman, Seth Lugo, Steven Matz, Wheeler or some combination of them would likely be involved in such a trade – along with either Bruce or Granderson to clear room for Blackmon to start.

He would clearly give the Mets the center fielder they’ve been missing since Carlos Beltran‘s trade in 2011, but he will not come cheap. So Mets fans and management – if you want him, be prepared to pay up for his talent.

Give Michael Conforto the time he needs to develop

The sweet left swing of Michael Conforto looked unbelievable when he came up to Queens in 2015 during his first full season in professional baseball. In 56 games, he hit .270 with 14 doubles, nine homers and 26 RBIs – and fans were pumped.

April 2016 was more of the same, as Conforto smacked 11 doubles and four home runs along with 18 RBIs and a .365 average. But after the deepest prolonged slump of his young career, he was dropped down to Triple-A Las Vegas, where he again raked to the tune of a .422 average.

Conforto ended last season with 12 homers and 21 doubles, but lowered his average to .220 in the process. He did, however, play some center field, even making a diving catch there.

With the increased versatility and athleticism he showed during his time in center, Conforto bought himself a lot more value going into 2017, where can now cover the middle outfield should Granderson get traded or injured. Team brass have spoken about seeing how Conforto might work at first base, as he has showed a much better ability to hit lefties than current first baseman Lucas Duda.

If given more time to work through his issues at the plate and build similar levels of confidence to those he possessed during his first season in the majors, then Conforto may just develop into Cespedes’ batting-mate for the foreseeable future like fans have expected of him.