All-time NY Mets roster based only on WAR

The Mets all-time starting lineup based on WAR

We have our bodies. Now we need to assign them a spot in the starting lineup and maybe define some other roles.

1) Jose Reyes, SS
2) David Wright, 3B
3) Carlos Beltran, CF
4) Mike Piazza, C
5) Darryl Strawberry, RF
6) Howard Johnson, DH
7) Keith Hernandez, 1B
8) Edgardo Alfonzo, 2B
9) Brandon Nimmo, LF

The lineup isn’t too much up for debate. Get some speed at the top, power in the middle, and split up the lefties and righties whenever possible. What would be fascinating is how the bench players might factor in.

Francisco Lindor can be the defensive replacement for Jose Reyes. As superb as he was as an offensive player, he was never nearly the slick-fielder as Lindor. Jeff McNeil is the do-anything utility man. Mookie Wilson would get a lot of his opportunities as a pinch runner. Only John Stearns would seem to all in as the closest thing to a traditional backup catcher. The difference between him and Mike Piazza is pretty great.

What will this roster look like in another two, four, or ten years? The fact that three current Mets are on it is impressive with Pete Alonso close to making it, too. The game has changed greatly with free agency to make it more difficult for anyone new to ever creep up the list. Fortunately, an owner who loves the team is in charge and re-signing beloved players is always a thought of his. It goes without saying, Steve Cohen would be the person we’d want running this team. Managed by Davey Johnson and his franchise-leading .588 winning percentage, we’d have to spend a couple of weeks figuring out the GM based on the success or failure of their roster decisions. A different project for a different day.