Mets: 3 roster mistakes Brodie Van Wagenen made too often

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Aug 20, 2020; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen looks at his phone. The game between the Miami Marlins and the New York Mets at Marlins Park has been postponed after a member of the New York Mets tested positive for Covid-19. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

I did my best to try to build a pair of New York Mets teams for an experiment. One team would feature players acquired by Brodie Van Wagenen. The other would be made up of players he either traded away or let go in free agency.

I ran into a problem. Not enough Mets players were traded away or left via free agency. I couldn’t actually build that roster. From what I did muster up, things looked a little more favorable for Brodie than many might expect.

For instance, he did give us Marcus Stroman, J.D. Davis, and the newly reinvented Edwin Diaz. The follies of his tenure weren’t so much about what he traded away (other than some hopeful prospects) but more about how often he missed. There were plenty of those and I would like to talk specifically as to why they were major whiffs.

The Mets added too many injured players/guys who would end up suspended

While doing this list, I found a lot of guys who barely played at all for the Mets because of injuries. Jed Lowrie leads the way. Dellin Betances is yet another poorly added treat. Let’s also not forget the likes of Keon Broxton (DFA), Jake Marisnick (injury), and Robinson Cano (suspension).

I know every GM is going to sign guys who end up seeing far less action than expected. However, as any Mets fan will tell you, there were far too many misses in this department for Van Wagenen.

We can look past lesser signs that didn’t do much. Carlos Gomez, Brian Dozier, Adeiny Hechavarria, etc. came in as minor league depth. I don’t think anyone can confidently say they thought any of those guys or the men of their same ilk could have done much more.

As the saying goes, the best ability is availability. BVW’s acquisitions failed this test.

May 5, 2019; Milwaukee, WI, USA; New York Mets outfielder Keon Broxton (23) walks back to the dugout after striking out against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports /

Very little was done to address the outfield depth

The outfield depth for the Mets, even into 2021, isn’t superb from the major league level down to the minors. There are a few reasons for it. We can cite the Jarred Kelenic trade as one reason for it. More important is to realize just how many outfielders this franchise has successfully developed.

Even so, two of the projected outfielders for the start of this season are out of position. Brandon Nimmo is a serviceable center fielder better suited for left field. Dominic Smith is a first baseman who looks out of his element as a left fielder more often than not.

Some of Van Wagenen’s biggest busts came from his attempt to build around the already existing outfield. The biggest problem with this would arise whenever they needed to turn to the bench for some innings beyond the infield dirt. Juan Lagares played way too much in 2019. Everyone else he brought in for the 2019 season and in 2020 to provide depth to the outfield seemed to fall flat. Can you believe Carlos Gomez actually had 99 plate appearances for the team in 2019? It seems like he was only with the team for two weeks, not 34 games.

Van Wagenen can consider himself lucky that J.D. Davis actually blossomed to provide the team with one quality outfielder during his tenure. Even then, you can argue Davis isn’t a true outfielder and probably better off in the American League as a DH. This can help lead us to the other reason why so many of his players didn’t work well in New York.

Sep 24, 2020; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Mets second baseman Robinson Cano (24) makes a throw to first base against the Washington Nationals in the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Brodie Van Wagenen added too many older, less athletic players

Something I have enjoyed about the 2021 team is how many younger and more athletic players the Mets added. Older guys like Kevin Pillar and Jonathan Villar still have speed. Younger additions have their own upside we can hope they reach even if their start with the team hasn’t worked out so well. See Albert Almora for more information.

Robinson Cano is the clear-cut best example for the type of player that Van Wagenen unsuccessfully brought to the Mets. Well past his prime and approaching the end of his career, he was the epitome of an older player lacking the same athleticism as a younger man.

It didn’t stop with Cano either. Van Wagenen brought back Todd Frazier in 2020. He also gave Rick Porcello a chance after one of the worst years of his career in 2019. Now, Porcello’s worst year is the one he spent with the Mets.

The sad thing is that even when Van Wagenen seemed to make a good signing it didn’t last all the way through the contract and involved a player we can critique for a lack of athleticism. Catcher Wilson Ramos was able to hit well for a brief period of time. However, what appeared to be laziness at times behind the plate cost the team.

Next. Mets top 5 at every position 5 years from now

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Those Van Wagenen times, while not purely built by him, included far too many players past their prime. Little was done with an eye for the future. What I’ve enjoyed a lot about the current regime was a mix of trying to win now and protecting the organization down the road.

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The Mets added too many injured players/guys who would end up suspended

Very little was done to address the outfield depth

Brodie Van Wagenen added too many older, less athletic players

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