By Rich Mancuso/ Sports Editor
A few days on the job and GM Brodie Van Wagenen is making progress for the Mets. If you count that progress as in exploring roster moves for the offseason then that’s a start. Realize this is a process and no definite answers will come as the GM meetings conclude in Carlsbad, California.
This is not to say that the Mets will be inactive before the start of spring training. There is that need to revamp a bullpen. There are indications the Mets will pursue another right handed bat in the outfield spot. They will look at possible ways to improve and move beyond Travis d’Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki behind the plate.
Manny Machado and Bruce Harper? Chances are the Mets will not have one or the other on the 25-man roster come Opening Day. But this rookie GM, now on the other side, does know something about a Player contract. And, yes, there is that caution but more optimism that the Mets will spend.
If not Machado or Harper, perhaps another piece or two via a trade or free agency will be explored. And a high ranking NL source indicated, the Mets will explore and make some moves. But for who and when will be determined.
Brodie Van Wagenen will be back at Citi Field Friday morning. Next order of business is more meetings and one with manager Mickey Callaway. The coaching staff and those vacancies will be filled.
Then the next order of business is the Winter Meetings the week of December 10-14th in Las Vegas. Before that, more exploring and preparing and a transaction or two prior to that.
So where do the Mets stand, and with a week of Brodie Van Wagenen on the job? Exploring, engaging in discussions with other teams, and finding ways to be creative in this early tenure. Creativity means looking at possible trades to fill the needs perhaps with a free agent acquisition or two.
Speculation and rumors, and that’s the fun part of the baseball Hot Stove season. And for the Mets, with a new GM, it becomes more interesting to speculate and be creative.
Thursday afternoon, Van Wagenen gave a vote of confidence to D’Arnaud and Plawecki. But there was that open door to improvement at the position and exploring other avenues. Spend or trade? That’s the speculation with viable names available at the position. And there is a need because the Mets need a healthy, consistent, and productive hitter in that spot which has been a thorn on their side.
More than one source contacted by did indicate that the Mets are exploring Andrew Miller. The need for the bullpen is apparent and Miller is highly sought with other teams. But there is that hesitancy with Miller and injuries. The left-hander appeared in 37 games last season. Miller could be cost effective compared to Craig Kimbrel, Zach Britton, Cody Allen and Adam Ottavino, the other big name relievers on the market. A return of Jeurys Familia is highly unlikely but anything is possible.
Miller is logical He has the success and any team that gets him won’t lose a draft pick because he did not take the Indians qualifying offer.
Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo? The names have been explored and if it means getting that piece or two for improvement then Brodie Van Wagenen will listen. Again, much too early to tell where this is going.
Peter Alonso? The Mets top prospect is ripping the ball in the Arizona Fall League and sources said the Mets would be creative and exploring. What came out of these GM meetings this week, and for the Mets and Brodie Van Wagenen was all good.
All good and because there are serious indications the Mets hierarchy has every intention to win in 2019.
We do know that the process has started. Brodie Van Wagenen said during his introduction last week, he was ready for the challenge. He was going to deliver a winning team to Mets fans and New York.
Remember at this stage it’s about exploring and engaging.
Comment: Ring786@aol.com Twitter@Ring786 Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
Follow Us