The biggest mistakes made by the New York Mets began with a poor offseason by first-year general manager Brodie Van Wagenen. Let’s revisit what went wrong and how it could have gone right.
Despite lofty expectations to begin the season, the New York Mets are fighting for a winning record. While they are very much in the four-team race to the top, the National League East division has been all Phillies and Braves early on, with the Mets and Nationals fluctuating around .500 for most of the season.
Brodie Van Wagenen has made a number of acquisitions to shake up the roster this past offseason. If given the opportunity to go back, what should he have done differently?
It should be noted that the acquisitions listed below only reflect the 2018-19 offseason and to not show roster moves made after opening day (aside from the player’s current status).
First, let’s review the moves made by first-year GM Brodie Van Wagenen
Additions:
25 Man Roster
RHP Edwin Díaz, Trade
RHP Jeurys Familia, Free Agent
C Wilson Ramos, Free Agent
SS Adeiny Hechavarria, Free Agent
OF Carlos Gomez, Free Agent
IF/OF J.D Davis, Trade
Injured List
INF Jed Lowrie, Free Agent
LHP Luis Avilan, Free Agent
LHP Justin Wilson, Free Agent
2B Robinson Canó, Trade
40 Man
RHP Walker Lockett, Trade
LHP Hector Santiago, Free Agent
INF Danny Espinosa, Free Agent
OF Rajai Davis, Free Agent
LHP Ryan O’Rourke, Free Agent
Non-40 Man
C Rene Rivera, Free Agent
C Devin Mesoraco, Free Agent
OF Gregor Blanco, Free Agent
RHP Arquimedes Caminero Free Agent
OF Rymer Liriano Free Agent
INF Sam Haggerty, Trade
No Longer in Organization
RHP Kyle Dowdy, Rule 5
OF Keon Broxton, Free Agent
Subtractions:
3B David Wright, Retired
IF Jose Reyes, Free Agent
OF Austin Jackson, Free Agent
LHP A.J. Ramos, Free Agent
RHP Jerry Blevins, Free Agent
C Jose Lobaton, Free Agent
IF Wilmer Flores, Free Agent
OF Jay Bruce, Traded
OF Jarred Kelenic, Traded
RHP Anthony Swarzak, Traded
RHP Gerson Bautista, Traded
RHP. Justin Dunn, Traded
3B T.J. Rivera, Released
RHP Rafael Montero, Outrighted/Free Agent
INF Phillip Evans, Outrighted/Free Agent
RHP Jamie Callahan, Outrighted/Free Agent
SS Jack Reinheimer, Waivers
RHP Jenrry Mejia, Released
C Kevin Plawecki, Traded
SS Luis Santana, Traded
OF Ross Adolph, Traded
C Scott Manea, Traded
How have the new acquisitions panned out for Van Wagenen so far?
C Wilson Ramos: 69 GP, 1.1 WAR
2B Robinson Canó: 54 GP, -0.8 WAR
RHP Jeurys Familia: 29 GP, -1.0 WAR
RHP Edwin Díaz: 31 GP, 0.5 WAR
SS Adeiny Hechavarria: 36 GP, 0.2 WAR
IF/OF J.D. Davis: 66 GP, 0.0 WAR
OF Carlos Gomez: 31 GP, -0.4 WAR
LHP Luis Avilan: 11 GP, -0.3 WAR
LHP Justin Wilson 10 GP, 0.0 WAR
LHP Hector Santiago 8 GP,-0.1 WAR
LHP Ryan O’Rourke 2 GP, 0.1 WAR
RHP Walker Lockett 1 GP -0.3 WAR
*INF Jed Lowrie
*INF Danny Espinosa
*(Has not played)
After reviewing all moves made by Van Wagenen this offseason, which moves should have been made?