Three Mets roster decision no-brainers to make this winter

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Jul 12, 2020; Flushing Meadows, New York, United States; New York Mets starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (0) pitches during a simulated game during summer camp workouts at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

As the New York Mets look to improve their roster this winter, there are some obvious items on their to-do list.

There are obvious decisions a baseball team should make and then there are these no-brainers the New York Mets have on their offseason agenda. I don’t need to tell you, loyal Mets fans, about how important it is for the club to check all of these items off their to-do list, do I?

This winter should be different from many of the ones from the recent past. Steve Cohen’s arrival should change how the team approaches free agency and trades. Excitement is in the air.

With this in mind, the Mets still have some obvious moves and decisions to make before Opening Day 2021 regarding the roster. Let’s review each to make sure they all get done.

Mets must sign a top free agent starting pitcher, should probably trade for another

I’m all in on in regards to the Mets loading up the starting rotation this winter. Give me every All-Star thrower you can get.

Starting pitching is what ultimately cost the Mets the 2020 season. Their lack of quality starters made it impossible for them to compete when Jacob deGrom or David Peterson was not on the mound. Things need to be different in 2021. Starting pitching needs to be a weapon again.

The Mets need to sign at least one of the top-flight starting pitchers available on the open market. In the opinion of most, this means Trevor Bauer or Marcus Stroman. Some stop at Bauer.

In addition to this, I think it’s pretty important the club trades for another. They have the bats to make it happen. Rather than do something like add Francisco Lindor to the roster via trade, use those assets to find a starting pitcher you wouldn’t otherwise have access to.

It’s a no-brainer. The Mets need all of the starting pitching help they can get.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 08: Wilson Ramos #40 of the New York Mets fields the ball against the Baltimore Orioles at Citi Field on September 08, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

Mets must not pick up Wilson Ramos’ option

An obvious decision for the club to make in regards to contracts, Wilson Ramos’ third-year option needs to get thrown in the trash. The veteran catcher was not productive in year two with the club. And with J.T. Realmuto available, they need to be aggressive in seeing if they can snag him from the pile of free agents this offseason.

It’s not Realmuto or bust, though. James McCann is another fine free agent target for the club. Let’s also not forget about the abundance of trade opportunities that are and will become possible as we get nearer to the middle of the MLB hot stove.

For now, the no-brainer has to do with Ramos and his lack of a future with the Mets. I wouldn’t even want to see him return as a backup catcher. Second-string backstops need to play good defense. It’s about all they must do well.

Ramos, in his two years with the team, did anything but inspire confidence when the Mets took the field. His pitchers didn’t enjoy throwing to him. At times, it even looked obvious to the fans how poorly he called a game.

I’m not sure there is a living soul out there interested in seeing yet another season of Ramos in orange and blue. Even in 2019 when he put up some pretty good offensive numbers, his poor defense seemed to drag the party down. Things won’t get better as he ages. The Mets need to get out while they can.

Thankfully, an option on his third year makes it possible.

Sep 23, 2020; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets left fielder Dominic Smith (2) reacts after hitting a solo home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fourth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Mets must find a way to get Dominic Smith regular at-bats

Whether it’s first base, left field, or the DH spot, the Mets need to structure their roster so Dominic Smith gets at-bats almost every day. He can sit against the occasional tough lefty or get a Sunday here and there off. Aside from this, the Mets need him to get every possible plate appearance he can. This starts by shaping their roster around this notion.

Smith gave the Mets a brilliant encore in 2020. In 199 plate appearances, Smith slashed .316/.377/.616 with 10 home runs and 42 RBI. It’s becoming clear that Smith has a future in the big leagues. Could it be with the Mets?

If there is a DH in the NL next year, perfect! The Mets can use him as their regular first baseman and allow Pete Alonso to focus on hitting as their designated hitter. If not, things get trickier.

Although the Mets had the luxury of a DH in 2020, we still saw Smith play 161 innings in left field compared to 193 at first base. He also got five starts as the DH which probably doesn’t make for the best defensive alignment for this ball club. Like many, I would prefer to see him wearing a glove than Alonso.

I’m not breaking any news or throwing a hot take at you by saying we need to see more of Dominic Smith in 2021. It’s one of the most apparent changes to the lineup this club needs to make.

3 Mets the fans are ready to trade away this winter. Next

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As the New York Mets look to improve their roster this winter, there are some obvious items on their to-do list.

Mets must sign a top free agent starting pitcher, should probably trade for another

Mets must not pick up Wilson Ramos’ option

Mets must find a way to get Dominic Smith regular at-bats

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