New York Mets getting older while teams around them get younger

The toughest part about seeing the New York Mets lose with older players is watching as the teams around them win with young ones.

This past Sunday, the New York Yankees celebrated their annual Old-Timer’s Day where players from the past return to the field for an exhibition game. Over in Arizona, the New York Mets had their own Old-Timer’s Day. Unfortunately, this game counted.

The Mets aren’t so much an older team as much as they are one that doesn’t have too many young stars. Even several of their greener players like Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo have already turned 25.

The problem for the Mets right now isn’t the fact that they are filled with elderly players nearing retirement. Their issue is the lack of position players between the ages of 27-30 when most are in their prime. The veterans on this team are already over 30 and we’re seeing the numbers decline.

Meanwhile, everyone around the Mets seems to be getting younger. The Yankees have more young firepower than they deserve. In their own division, the Mets are dealing with multiple young players putting together highlight seasons.

By now we all know how the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies are winning with young players. The Braves have been better at it this year thanks in part to the veteran talent around them. However, the excitement of Ronald Acuna, Ozzie Albies, and Dansby Swanson playing together for the next several seasons is an undeniable advantage over the Mets.

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Recently, the Washington Nationals even added their own star rookie to the roster. Juan Soto has been smacking baseballs regularly ever since his big league promotion. Remember, he isn’t even the outfield prospect they are highest on. Victor Robles is the more highly-regarded young star in their system. So, there’s that to worry about, too.

The Mets haven’t had the same luck with young players. In particular, there have been several position players who have disappointed.

Although Nimmo started off well, he has taken a step back of late. Conforto hasn’t played good baseball at all this season either.

There’s still hope 22-year-old shortstop Amed Rosario develops into one of the premier players in the National League. Not long ago, scouts considered him the best minor league prospect in baseball. Flash forward to 2018 and Bartolo Colon‘s weight is higher than his OBP.

To have a successful MLB team, there needs to be a nice mix of experienced players and someone ready to step in for the next several years to take the place of those veterans. The challenge the Mets face is how few youthful players they have knocking on the MLB door or already in the big leagues.

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It’s bad enough to see this team struggle with injuries partly because of their age. It’s much worse to swallow when the team across town and those in their own division are regularly promoting future stars and watching them thrive.