New York Mets: Three things we can learn from the Miami Marlins Rebuild

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 27: A general view after the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins walk off the field prior to the start of the game at Citi Field on August 27, 2020 in New York City. Several sporting leagues across the nation are postponing their schedules as players protest the shooting of Jacob Blake by Kenosha, Wisconsin police. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

What could the New York Mets possibly learn from the rival Miami Marlins and their rebuild?

The title of this post seems difficult to imagine. Even considering the New York Mets and their level of dysfunction in recent years, they clearly have great talent. The Miami Marlins, on the other hand, have felt like a dumpster fire for many years. What could the Mets possibly learn from their NL East rivals?

While there are a number of reasons that the Mets should avoid resembling the small market Marlins, there are also several aspects of the South Florida franchise that are worth mimicking. This is particularly true considering the team’s pending transition to new owner Steven Cohen.

Here are three strengths of the Marlins that the Mets would be wise to copy.

#1: Focus on Building the Mets Farm System

When the Derek Jeter led ownership group took over in Miami, their first step was to clean house in a way that was extreme. The group traded two future MVPs in Christian Yelich and Giancarlo Stanton, as well as two All-Stars in Marcell Ozuna and JT Realmuto, in order to obtain young prospects and shed financial commitments. It was a shocking amount of talent leaving South Beach.

However, in exchange, the Marlins were able to turn a bottom-level farm system into a unit that ranked fifth in the league at the 2020 mid-season mark. One of these players, pitcher Sixto Sanchez looked like a future star as he helped lead his team to an unexpected postseason run.

The Mets, who currently have the 20th best farm system in MLB, are in a similar position as the pre-fire-sale Marlins. Am I advocating that the team go full-Marlins and trade top assets like Jacob deGrom, Pete Alonso, Michael Conforto, or Jeff McNeil? Certainly not! The Marlins took this strategy to an extreme that dramatically hurt their reputation amongst their fan base.

However, the Mets cannot continue to ignore their prospect pool. In recent seasons, They have elected to part ways with top prospects in deals to acquire Marcus Stroman, Robinson Cano, and Edwin Diaz. They have made zero postseason appearances during that span.

The franchise needs to take every opportunity to rebuild a suffering farm system. Hopefully, the Cohen transition will allow the team to sign playmakers without having to sacrifice assets. Perhaps players like Brandon Nimmo, Amed Rosario, or possibly even Wilson Ramos or Steven Matz, can use used to accelerate this restock.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 13: Sixto Sánchez #73 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies at Marlins Park on September 13, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

#2: Focus Specifically on Young Pitching

Despite a less-than-spectacular offense, the Marlins were able to crack the postseason field during the shortened 2020 season. They were even able to sweep a first-round series against the Chicago Cubs and Cy Young candidate Yu Darvish.

The key catalyst fueling this success came in the form of their starting pitching staff. The trio of Sandy Alcantara, Pablo Lopez, and Sixto Sanchez was undeniably their best unit. Players like Trevor Rodgers and Eliesser Hernandez (pre-injury) were also assets.

The Mets were once known for a similar roster construction. deGrom was setting the world on fire following a Rookie of the Year campaign. Noah Syndergaard was a flame-throwing prospect with a sky-high ceiling. Zack Wheeler had comparable stuff to his excellent teammates. Even Matt Harvey and Steven Matz added to the excitement. The team’s whole identity was based on their young rotation of future aces.

Fast forward a few seasons and the feel of the franchise has totally changed. deGrom is still the best pitcher in the world. However, he is already 32 years old. Syndergaard so coming off Tommy John’s surgery. Wheeler is on the rival Phillies. Matz has been an inconsistent mess. And I legitimately have no idea where Matt Harvey is. Maybe he’s at the back-end of the Royals’ bullpen. Maybe he is out of the league completely. Google can tell you for sure.

The Mets would do well to refocus on building their collection of young pitchers. Based on the end of the 2020 season, David Peterson is an excellent place to start. Prospect Matthew Allen is also loaming. But there isn’t much else to get excited about.

This is a great area for Cohen and company to focus. They don’t necessarily need to strictly acquire prospects. They can also target young players already in MLB via free agency or trades.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 10: Point72 Asset Management and Gala Chair Steven A. Cohen speaks on stage the Lincoln Center Alternative Investment Gala at The Rainbow Room on April 10, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Lincoln Center) /

Step #3: Use the Mets Ownership Change as a Jump Start

What was the biggest difference between the incompetent version of the Marlins and the current incarnation of the team? It appears to be one major factor: the change in ownership.

The Fish won a World Series Championship in 2003 with Jeffery Loria and David Sampson leading the way. They preceded to miss the postseason in each following year of their tenure. Toward the end, the franchise felt like a train wreck.

To be fair, it would be unwise to make too much of the team’s success during a wild 2020 season. The schedule was shortened to just 60 games and the postseason field was expanded to its largest-ever number of teams. The playoff berth was nice. But it was not the only reason for Miami’s successful season. The team clearly has building blocks to lead them into the future. The transition to the Bruce Sherman/Jeter group has sparked a new era for the team.

Fans of the New York Mets would be absolutely thrilled if this was also the case with Cohen. The excitement levels are noticeably high. The fears and frustrations of the past are now in a by-gone era. There is every reason for the franchise to prime themselves for what could be the most thrilling chapter in Mets’ history.

It will be imperative for New York to capitalize on the momentum generated by the change in ownership. The end to the Wilpon era gives the franchise more optimism about the future than any ace or slugger could on their own.

Next. A role for Chasen Shreve in 2021

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Here’s hoping the team can bring a small taste of the Miami magic to New York City in 2021 and beyond.

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What could the New York Mets possibly learn from the rival Miami Marlins and their rebuild?

#1: Focus on Building the Mets Farm System

#2: Focus Specifically on Young Pitching

Step #3: Use the Mets Ownership Change as a Jump Start

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