Mets: 3 roster mistakes Brodie Van Wagenen made too often

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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.

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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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