With free agency being underway for over three weeks now and some big names already off the board. The New York Mets have been relatively quiet, despite many thinking that this is going to be a very busy offseason for the team.
Fans and analysts all across MLB believe that the Mets are going to be big players in free agency this year. Mets fans are surely expecting the team to make some big moves considering the fact that the Wilpons are no longer the owners of the team and Billionaire Steve Cohen is now at the helm of the franchise. But so far they haven’t really made any notable moves besides Marcus Stroman accepting the Qualifying Offer. Some big names like Charlie Morton are off the board already which makes fans questioning why the Mets haven’t done anything yet. Morton was a guy that many wanted the Mets to sign, so with him signing with the Atlanta Braves, it is not to the liking of many. However most of the top free agents are still looking for a home.
George Springer who would be a fantastic fit for the Mets is still out there. J.T. Realmuto, DJ LeMahieu and Trevor Bauer are still available too. The Mets clearly have a spot or two in the rotation and Bauer is one of the best pitchers in baseball. Bauer seems to like Steve Cohen and what he brings to the Mets. So it looks like he might want to come play for the Mets. It is also known that the Mets do have some interest in the reigning NL Cy-Young winner. So that is definitely a possibility. All four of these guys are certainly getting interest from a lot of teams around the league. The Mets have the money as well as some holes to fill. So they must act now before it is too late.
There is one possible reason however on why the Mets have not made a big move. The possible reason is that the Mets do not have a general manager after the firing of Brodie Van Wagenen. Yesterday president of the team Sandy Alderson said that the team will not be focusing on hiring a president of baseball operations. But rather focusing on hiring a GM.
There are not that many known candidates for the job as of yet. But surely the Mets have been making some phone calls and probably have interviewed some guys. The team may not be willing to sign a superstar player like George Springer until they hire a general manager. Nevertheless, baseball is not similar to football in the sense that the general manager needs to like all of the players on the team. So even if the Mets were to sign a player like Springer and the GM is not fond of the player it is ok. It is highly unlikely that the Mets are going to have a similar situation to what the Jets had with Le’veon Bell. The Mets already have a manager. While the Jets did not have a coach at the time of the signing. No matter who the Mets end up picking to be the next general manager of the team it should not be the factor on why they don’t get a player of George Springer’s magnitude.
Whoever the Mets are coveting they need to act ASAP and sign them. There are teams out there like the Braves who are trying to sign guys the Mets want. While improving their team at the same exact time. Mets fans are getting impatient that the Mets are not making any moves. Everyone knows Steve Cohen is going to spend some money.
So why not make a move now?
Image: Jeff Curry – USA TODAY Sports / Reuters
