NY Mets offseason wish list by ex-GM looks top shelf even without Pete Alonso included

Zack Scott is a top 5 follow on Twitter/X for baseball fans. Whether you root for the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, or a team he was never affiliated with, Scott’s commentary and candid opinions make for a wonderful follow.

From an outside perspective, Scott put together his Christmas wish list for the Mets. It includes some very bold moves that don't even include Pete Alonso.

Let’s run down this wish list one at a time, shall we?

That’s a lot to give up for Garrett Crochet

Scott didn’t make it clear but it seems as if he’d trade Brandon Sproat, Ryan Clifford, Brett Baty, and Jesus Baez for Garrett Crochet. Sproat seems as close to untouchable as it gets with the Mets. He added in the likelihood of the Chicago White Sox also wanting Jett Williams. Sproat and Williams? It seems like the Mets can get someone else with upside to equal what Crochet can do. The idea of trading Sproat leaves a bitter taste for just about anyone.

That’s a decent rate to pay Nathan Eovaldi

First time, longtime Nathan Eovaldi fan here. The guy just seems to have what it takes in the big moments. A lifetime 3.05 ERA in 79.2 postseason innings, he has been a consistent American League pitcher for several seasons. Even his early days with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins included some good times albeit shortened due to injury. Since 2020, his ERA has finished between 3.63 and 3.87 each year. It’s a small margin. You know what you’re getting as long as he stays on the field. In a regular six-man rotation, maybe he stays a little healthier.

That’s a lot of money to pay Tanner Scott to be your setup man

Would Tanner Scott have any interest in not being a closer? He doesn’t have an extensive track record of succeeding as a ninth inning guy. Since he’d still be getting paid similar to one without the job title, he might have a hard time saying “no.” A commitment of four years does seem a bit bold for a guy who has only put together two massively good years as a relief pitcher.

That’s a lot of wishing and hoping to leave room open for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Scott makes some valid points on not re-signing Pete Alonso and instead allocating the funds elsewhere with someone cheaper. A trade for Josh Naylor or Yandy Diaz would cost players (and good ones) so I’m not sure how realistic that would be. More so, it’s the hoping Vladimir Guerrero even gets to free agency which is a bit too bold. Having seen what Juan Soto was paid, it might be advisable for him to at least consider it. Teams who missed out on Soto will surely be in the market to pay Guerrero a whole lot of cash.

That’s actually a much more realistic pair to add with Joc Pederson and Jesse Winker

It does seem like the Mets could still add the left-handed bats of Joc Pederson or Jesse Winker to the roster. Pair them alongside Starling Marte and the DH spot is cooking, but not so hot where you need to grab a towel to move the bowl they’re in. Fifth on his wish list, it seems like a much more realistic outcome than any of the trades Scott proposed.

Scott might have front office experience, but he is speaking directly to the fans with this wish list. It’s about as good as we can expect the remainder of the offseason to go sans a return for Alonso. Calling it quits on Clay Holmes as a starting pitcher altogether this quickly probably isn’t in the cards nor is a trade for Crochet or even a $15 million AAV for Tanner Scott. Maybe one or two of these things will actually happen. That’s why it’s a wish list and not a ransom letter.