Mets Season Preview: What could’ve been done differently this offseason?

August 27, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets pitcher

throws against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: John Munson/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

Laura Pollack, Staff Writer:

As usual, the Mets stuck with low-key moves this offseason. They added a veteran outfielder, guys for the bullpen, and signed Juan Lagares to a 4-year extension. The front office is confident that the current roster has the ability to succeed, and I agree that the Mets are in a very strong position to win games and win them now. However, they had a unique opportunity this offseason and unfortunately chose not to use it to their advantage.

The Mets have a surplus of pitching, something that is far from a real problem, but it’s a surplus all the same. Many other teams went into this offseason in dire need of some reliable starters, while the Mets went into this offseason in need of a shortstop. I can’t fathom how there was no trade that came across Sandy Alderson’s desk that seemed like the right fit.

Now, I don’t think giving up Noah Syndergaard to get Troy Tulowitzki would’ve been the smart way to go, but that was far from the only option. Dillon Gee, Jon Niese or even Bartolo Colon should have been traded away for a good shortstop or infielder. While Gee and Colon are two very different pitchers who are going to get very different offers, throwing in a prospect or even Daniel Murphy into the mix could attract the right players. (Think something along the lines of the Oakland Athletics’ multi-player trade with Tampa Bay for Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar).

At the end of the day, I don’t think Wilmer Flores is going to make or break the Mets this year, but the team had an opportunity to use their pitching to fill in other holes in the roster. Hopefully, this move -or lack thereof – doesn’t come back to haunt the Mets later in the season.

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