Mets Monday Morning GM: The only 3 directions to go with the current core

New York Mets fans are, for the most part, more interested in the future of the team than the present. Beating up on the St. Louis Cardinals this weekend was enjoyable. Fans will still show up to see the Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers this month. Some will stick around for the Seattle Mariners series, too. September should also feature enough filled seats as long as the weather cooperates.

The current core of the Mets roster is made up of mostly position players who've been here for a while. That’s how most cores work. Rookie Francisco Alvarez has joined the likes of Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, Jeff McNeil, and Brandon Nimmo. Pitchers Kodai Senga and Edwin Diaz belong lumped in there, too with the numbers of years tallied on their contracts.

Recent social media debates regarding the Mets have included discussion about the core. Many are convinced it’s good enough if the pieces around them are improved. This offseason might be a time to think hard about what they do with or around those core members. Only three real options exist. Which is best?

1) NY Mets can keep the core together and build around it with temporary pieces 

This model of roster planning would fit with repeating what the team has done regularly in recent years. Keeping the core together was a goal for the Mets over the winter. It required new deals for Edwin Diaz and Brandon Nimmo. Both felt tough to replace. Rather than risk it, the Mets brought both back.

There aren't the same notable free agents on the roster this season. Pete Alonso and his last year of arbitration eligibility is the closest for the Mets to begin thinking about. It’s creeping up quickly and talks of an extension should highlight the offseason hot stove.

Keeping the core together is an easy plan. What to do around them is different.

Temporary pieces are always necessary. However, the Mets have shied away from lengthier deals. From outside the organization Francisco Lindor and Kodai Senga are the only two they've added with a new deal extending to a fifth year or longer. Everyone else only made a pit stop.

An abundance of short term players doesn't fit the scheme any longer. The Mets should think bigger or go with this very different approach only the most beaten-down fan would accept.