NY Mets look even better after yet another bleak twist in Jarred Kelenic saga

The Jarred Kelenic saga has taken another turn, and for the New York Mets, it's a twist that brings a sense of vindication. The Atlanta Braves recently outrighted the former top prospect, a move that makes him a free agent and serves as a stark reminder of the infamous trade that sent him from Queens to Seattle. The deal, which brought Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano to the Mets, was met with a firestorm of criticism, largely centered on the departure of a player once seen as a future cornerstone of the franchise.

The outcry at the time of the trade was understandable. Kelenic was a top-ranked prospect, a potential five-tool outfielder who seemed destined for stardom. To trade him away, along with a significant financial commitment to an aging Robinson Cano, felt like a classic Mets blunder. Cano's subsequent decline and suspension only fueled the narrative that the Mets had once again mortgaged their future for a fleeting chance at immediate success. However, as Kelenic's journey has unfolded, the trade has begun to look less like a mistake and more like a shrewd, if risky, maneuver. While Diaz has become one of the most dominant closers in the game, Kelenic's path has been far from smooth, marked by inconsistency and unfulfilled potential.

A rollercoaster ride and a potential reunion

Jarred Kelenic's post-Mets career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. After arriving in Seattle with immense expectations, he struggled to find his footing, battling inconsistencies at the plate and showing flashes of the brilliant talent that made him so highly coveted. His time with the Mariners was a mix of tantalizing potential and frustrating underperformance, a pattern that has continued throughout his career. He was never able to consistently translate his raw tools into on-field production, and the high strikeout rates that plagued him in the minor leagues followed him to the majors. His recent stint with the Braves, which ended with him being outrighted, is a testament to the challenges he has faced in establishing himself as a reliable major league player.

Despite his struggles, Kelenic has also shown glimpses of the player he could become. In 2023, a significant swing change led to a torrid stretch where he looked like one of the best young hitters in the game. For a period, he was a force to be reckoned with, hitting for both average and power and showcasing the superstar potential that had scouts raving when he was in the Mets' system. This is the version of Kelenic that teams will be gambling on as he enters free agency. He is still young, and the talent that made him a top prospect has not disappeared. The question is whether he can find the consistency and mental fortitude to unlock that potential on a full-time basis.

For the Mets, Kelenic's availability presents an intriguing, if not ironic, possibility. Could the player who was once the centerpiece of a trade that defined an era of Mets baseball return to the team that first believed in him? The idea of a reunion is a tantalizing one, a full-circle moment that would add another chapter to this already compelling story. The Mets could potentially sign Kelenic to a low-risk, high-reward contract, giving him a chance to resurrect his career in the place where it all began. It would be a move that would not only provide the Mets with a potential impact player but also serve as a final, definitive statement on a trade that has been debated and dissected for years.

Ultimately, whether the Mets pursue Kelenic or not, the latest chapter in his career serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of baseball and the difficulty of projecting the future of young prospects. The trade that was once seen as a black mark on the franchise now looks like a victory, a testament to the fact that in baseball, as in life, things are not always as they seem. The Mets have moved on, and in doing so, they have found themselves in a better position than they could have imagined when they said goodbye to their one-time top prospect. The Kelenic saga has been a long and winding one, but for the Mets, it's a story that has, against all odds, ended with a smile.