Mets: GM Sandy Alderson should be praised for keeping a loaded roster

Mets David Wright‘s injury helps show that Sandy Alderson made the right decision in not making a trade this offseason

For GM Sandy Alderson, re-signing Neil Walker and Yoenis Cespedes were quickly the Mets top priorities. The team features a loaded roster that contains five outfielders, six infielders, and seven starting pitchers, all of which are good enough to be or already are starters in their position.

On February 28^th David Wright was diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement. His throwing program was shut down indefinitely and it’s likely he will not be ready for Opening Day. Wright has already missed time last year he played in only 37 games due to a herniated disc in his neck.

Alderson already has Wright’s replacement, Jose Reyes to start the season. He took a chance on Reyes after the Rockies designated him for assignment. Alderson signed Reyes for the rest of 2016 with an added team option at league minimum of $535,000 for 2017.

This deal has turned out to be a great signing and a steal for the Mets, as Reyes produced well for the team in 2016. Now Reyes will most likely open the season as the starting third baseman with Wright’s injury.

However, Wright wasn’t the only Met to spend time on the disabled list last year. The Mets and their fans saw six infielders, two outfielders, the starting catcher, and four starting pitchers all at some point during the season spend time injured or on the disabled list.

This year, rather than risk the chance of expecting the team to stay fully healthy, Alderson has built together a loaded roster featuring multiple players that have the ability to play multiple positions.

Alderson also had a choice to actively shop and look to trade some of the depth the Mets.  The team needed to add some bullpen help or possible future prospects. The Mets were looking to trade either Curtis Granderson or Jay Bruce. However, one issue with dealing one of these players is (counting Bruce’s time with the Reds) they both happen to be the two players that played the most games in 2016 on the current Mets’ roster.

Although, making a trade and to take less value just to open up a roster spot was an option, Alderson held out and waited to sign bullpen help. This turned out to be another great move as the Mets were able to re-sign lefty Jerry Blevins and righty Fernando Salas.

Blevins wanted a two-year contract with the Mets.  Instead, Alderson was able to hold out resulting in Blevins signing a one-year deal and a club option for a second year.

Club options are so rare to see yet Alderson was able to get Blevins and Reyes to each sign one, while also acquiring Bruce who had a club option on his contract. Anytime a general manager can get a player to sign a club option it is a great move, due to the fact that the team has control, rather than the player.

This will be Blevins third year with the team. Last season Blevins pitched in 73 games with a 2.79 era and 52 strikeouts in 42 innings. Salas also had success last season with the Mets as he threw 17 and a third innings with a 2.08 era and 19 strikeouts.

Next: Mets 2017 Season Preview: Who will earn the fifth starter slot?

The Mets are a playoff contending team with the roster Alderson has put together. They will look to make the playoffs for the third consecutive year, which would be the first time in franchise history.