NY Mets were too “seek” and not enough “destroy” last winter

What good is a projectile missile if it doesn’t hit its target? The New York Mets embarked on an incredibly exciting offseason one year ago with a brand new owner, billions of bucks, and a group of loyal fans demanding more from the organization.

Throughout the entire offseason, the Mets seemed to be linked to just about everyone whether they were a logical fit or not. The team came away with some good additions over the winter, receiving a lot of praise but also a couple of questions.

The Mets, for all of their efforts, didn’t land any big free agent in the winter of 2020-2021. They settled for the guys many considered to be the second choice. Nevertheless, fans were hopeful they had enough to compete.

Things need to be different this winter. They traded their plan last offseason and it didn’t work. This time around, the team needs to seek AND destroy. Window shoppers don’t win championships. Teenage girls with daddy’s credit card do.

The Mets need to follow through with adding stars to the roster

As the 2021 season progressed, we saw how important it is to have guarantees on your roster. For as awesome as Taijuan Walker was in the first half, he was equally as bad in the second.

The club got barely anything out of James McCann on the offensive side of the ball. For a good period of time, they were scratching and clawing with what looked like a Triple-A starting lineup.

No season will ever go perfectly. Injuries will happen. Guys will underperform. Balls will bounce the wrong way.

Knowing this, the Mets front office must act swiftly. They don’t have room to gloat about depth pieces or what the analytical data charts say. They need to simply add the best players possible and see what it takes them.

The Mets mastered seek, now it’s time to destroy the rest of the league

When Steve Cohen became the owner of the Mets, possibilities became endless. How much over the luxury tax would he go? Which stars wouldn’t be a fit on this club?

Cohen and company held back in year one. Was it a good-faith gesture toward the other 29 teams and their owners? Was it caution to not do anything stupid in year one? Or is it just the way he’ll always do business?

The Mets weren’t exactly the most aggressive club at the trade deadline either. One trade for veteran Rich Hill and another with the Chicago Cubs to give them pitching depth with Trevor Williams and a bat with Javier Baez barely moved the needle far enough to turn them in the right direction for good. In fact, it was shortly after the trade deadline when everything spun out of control.

Having an interest in a player is one thing. Actually acting on it is a whole new game.

Want your voice heard? Join the Rising Apple team!

Write for us!

Whatever their bold strategy is this winter, Cotton, it needs to end with a few more W’s.