The best Mets move of the offseason was the one they didn’t make

The New York Mets had an active offseason this past winter. The front office focused on covering many team departures and generating a roster with its ups and downs. However, the best move the team made was the one they failed to execute.

A team that counted on the departure of some stars, made moves to consolidate a team capable of winning a championship. However, despite having the highest payroll in baseball, the Mets refused to make a signing that could put the organization's sustainability at risk, and today the results are being noticed.

Not signing Carlos Correa was the best move the Mets made

The Mets made big moves like signing Justin Verlander to cover the departure of Jacob deGrom. However, in his desire to consolidate the best roster in baseball, Steve Cohen put all his interest in signing Carlos Correa to a 12-year, $315 million contract after the shortstop failed physical tests with the San Francisco Giants.

The Cohens put a lot of effort into getting Correa's signature, discussing and analyzing his medical situation for weeks. The saga ended with the Mets removing themselves from the situation and letting the Puerto Rican sign with the Minnesota Twins.

Correa is a player with generational potential. Correa is a shortstop with impact on both sides of the ball but a complicated medical history that raised significant red flags about his potential to stay healthy throughout his career.

Today, Correa just landed on IL after an MRI exam confirmed an injury to the arch muscle of his left foot and plantar fasciitis in his heel. Although the leg injury is different from the one that forced two teams to flee from a signing with the shortstop, this signing demonstrates this player's inability to stay on the field.

Additionally, Correa was hitting a dismal .214 batting average with just six home runs and 24 RBI. Had the Mets signed Correa the ripple effects of this decision would have been terrible.

The Mets would have a player who would not be consistently contributing to the game plus the possibility of losing for an extended time during a contract that would also hurt the team's finances and the potential to sign stars in the future or maintain homegrown talent.

Brett Baty might not have space in a team that today has his services contributing to a lineup that needed it. Other prospects might not be around today, and the team would have bigger problems than it already has.

Billy Eppler established himself with a smart decision. Not signing Correa can keep the Mets healthier financially and with room to give their top prospects a chance.