Mets prospects could hold the key to the 2019 season’s success

Could the New York Mets prospects hold the key to a successful 2019 season?

In some unfortunate ways, the New York Mets continue to do the unthinkable.

I’m not referring to the 40 runs in two games they splattered in Baltimore and Philadelphia last week, but the tremendously unhelpful lineups they’ve trotted out all month; Jose Bautista at first, Jose Reyes at third, and Austin Jackson in center field.

“Unhelpful” might be too vague here. For the sake of winning games in 2018, Jackson and Bautista haven’t been terrible. Reyes, well, we won’t get into that.

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However, if the Mets front office wants to make clear that they have plans for a competitive 2019 campaign, they should do more than trotting out creaky veterans in August.

The Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros made it clear in the last two postseasons; developing young talent, especially young hitters, is key to the ultimate success.

The Mets reached the World Series in 2015 on the backs of thunderous young pitching and a lineup mix of veterans and kids. For one season it all just came together, and since then the Mets have been searching for the recipe for another World Series run.

They’re doing it wrong, though.

Off in the desert of Vegas, and even out in Binghamton, lies the franchise’s obvious future. The front office, however, continues to ignore it.

Peter Alonso has been the best minor league hitter all year, Andres Gimenez has an .830 OPS in AA, and Justin Dunn has a 2.83 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 121 innings at Port St. Lucie and Binghamton this season.

But with stellar prospects knocking on the door, the Mets’ front office continues to seem reticent. The only player truly being “evaluated” as a major league piece is Jeff McNeil–who is clearly able to hit and field at the highest level–but the reluctance to call up Alonso, in particular, continues to baffle. Sure, he’s not a stud defensively, but his bat alone should be reason to see how he fares in New York.

What it means for 2019 and beyond

If they truly mean to contend next year, the Mets must realize how to mix and match their in-house prospects with free agents and trade chips.

Think about Gimenez, not Daniel Murphy on a nostalgic contract, as the long-term solution at second base. Try to trade Jay Bruce and open up the outfield for a Bryce Harper or A.J. Pollock. Whoever the GM is come December, they shouldn’t be afraid to aim high, but they shouldn’t be afraid to hit the reset button either.

Tanking is okay now, and if the Mets went all in on the rebuild by trading Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, and more for elite prospects, fans might be able to support it because the franchise will have a clear direction.

Next. The Mets need to do something about Peter Alonso

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Right now, it’s one thing this team desperately needs; a known path.

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