When Steve Cohen asked Mets fans to come out to Citi Field to support the team last season, they showed up in droves. The Mets set a new attendance record, despite a lackluster year that saw the Amazin’s fall out of playoff contention on the final day of the regular season.
The fans made good on their end. Now, they want the Mets to make good on their end of the deal.
There is considerable anger after the club traded outfielder Brandon Nimmo, and let closer Edwin Diaz and first baseman Pete Alonso walk to other teams. David Stearns went on SNY during the winter meetings earlier this month saying that while he understands the fans are upset about how the season ended, he’s optimistic about the team he’s putting together.
The president of baseball operations missed the mark with that speech. It’s not about how the season ended, it’s about how the offseason has unfolded so far. Losing three fan favorites who were also productive players has left holes in the roster and could leave some holes in the seats, but so be it. Stearns made the moves he felt he needed to make.
“That is something broadly that we talk about a lot, and we have a lot of those conversations,” Stearns said at the Winter Meetings in Orlando. “We’ve had them throughout this offseason. We had them throughout last offseason as well, when we were faced with some decisions, and it is part of it. I’ve said this before. I can’t tell you I know exactly how to weigh that, right? I think we do our best to weigh the full impact of any player on our team, on our organization, and we make the best decision we can.”
As player after player came off the board, Mets fans continued to seethe. The signing of Jorge Polanco didn’t do much to temper that anger. While Polanco is coming off of an excellent season with the Seattle Mariners, the Mets signed him to play first base — a position he has no experience playing.
Sure, there’s plenty of offseason left, but some of the best options to fill the holes in the roster have now signed elsewhere. Stearns seems stuck on short-term contracts and his handling of Diaz has left many wondering what, exactly, he’s doing.
Look, fans will continue to show up every year and they’ll continue to watch because this is a franchise built on generations of fandom. But their anger is valid. Here’s how the Mets can start to right the ship.
SIGN BELLINGER (OR BREGMAN)
Take a big swing at a big free agent. Forget the three-year terms for this one. Bellinger’s positional versatility would allow the Mets to carry prospect Carson Benge as a fourth outfielder if they choose, or they could keep Jeff McNeil and use him as a fourth outfielder. The Mets know Bellinger is capable of playing in New York. Last year with the Yankees, he slashed .272/.334/.480 with 28 homers, 25 doubles, 98 RBI, and 89 runs scored in 152 games.
The Mets don’t appear interested in third baseman Alex Bregman. They seem content with Brett Baty at third base, and Mark Vientos and Ronny Mauricio will still get reps there as well. Bregman would certainly give Juan Soto the right-handed protection in the lineup that he desires and would bring leadership to the clubhouse. If Bellinger goes elsewhere, the Mets should look into reworking their infield to accommodate Bregman.
ADD A FRONTLINE STARTER
Stearns wants to make “need-for-need” trades and the biggest area of need he has is starting pitching. He can trade Kodai Senga or David Peterson, who still have tons of upside, to bring in a strong starter to put at the top of the rotation with rookie right-hander Nolan McLean.
If a “need-for-need” deal isn’t out there for starting pitching, the Mets have a bevy of young infielders they can use to acquire pitching. Mark Vientos, Luisangel Acuña and Jett Williams could all be available.
If all else fails, trade Brandon Sproat for an established innings-eater. Young starting pitchers are assets that can be used to acquire talent.
ADDRESS THE PEOPLE WHO MATTER
If Stearns hasn’t already talked with Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto about the offseason plan, then he needs to. When it comes to the fans, they feel as though Stearns thinks they’re beneath him and don’t matter. They want to hear why they should keep showing up to Citi Field, and they don’t need someone talking down to them in the process.
Whether it’s Stearns or Cohen, or even Grimace, the fans want to know the Mets have a plan, and they deserve to know as well. In all likelihood, they’re going to keep showing up and keep watching, but it’s not like fans need a reason to stop. Games are becoming cost-prohibitive for many families. For others, it’s competition from other forms of media. Treating fans as if they’re unimportant an unintelligent is ill-advised.
