Let’s face it, the New York Mets are not a very good team and are not going anywhere this year. With third baseman and captain David Wright headed to the disabled list with a right hamstring strain, it is time to see exactly what is looming in the Mets farm system. For years, the Mets’ front office has promised fans that they were rebuilding from within. Not going after flashy free agents, but instead young talent that can provide a great team for the future.
While Wright is still part of the future, there are many plugs that the Mets still need to fill. The Mets also seem to have found a possible center fielder in Juan Lagares as he continues to impress with his glove and now his bat. The Mets also have a viable outfielder in Eric Young who provides speed at the top of the lineup the Mets have not seen since Jose Reyes. While Marlon Byrd has had a career year, he is clearly not part of the Mets future. The 35-year-old is a power hitter who can help a team who is ready to compete now or next year. The Mets clearly are nowhere near ready for a playoff run. It may come back to haunt the Mets for not trading Byrd at the deadline in the future.
One incredibly bright spot for the Mets has been their starting pitching. Everyone knows about Matt Harvey and how sensational he has been all year. In his first full year in the bigs, he is already a Top 5 pitcher. However, less notable Zack Wheeler, Dillion Gee, and Jennry Mejia have also pitched incredibly well. Wheeler has had high expectations since he was traded to the Mets for Carlos Beltran. While he has lived up to them, he also has a lot of work to do and with a team that is going nowhere, he can make his mistakes now. Gee has had some hiccups, giving up too many home runs, but has been very consistent in his outings. Mejia has been in the majors before in the bullpen and as a starter, but after a very impressive start against the Nationals is appears he will stay in a starting role. The Mets also have many pitching prospects still in the minor leagues including Noah Syndergaard and Rafael Montero. Some of these young arms will be placed in the bullpen which has been atrocious and can use all the help it can find.
While the Mets are loaded with pitching, they are still missing infield players. First baseman Ike Davis has a great glove, but continues to struggle at the plate. Unless the Mets can help Davis figure out how to stop swinging at pitches outside of the strike zone, he will only be a hindrance for their playoff chances. Daniel Murphy is an extreme liability at second base and should only be used as a pinch hitter or platoon player. The Mets may have an option for their infield in second baseman Wilmer Flores who many expected would be brought up when Wright hit the disabled list. Flores owns a .320 batting average with some power behind it. Flores has long been considered the Mets best hitting prospect. The Mets have struggles to produce runs which is why their decision not to bring Flores up is baffling, however, expect to see him in September.
A Mets lineup without David Wright is a Mets fan’s worse nightmare. The Mets on the field without David Wright is also their worse nightmare. However, in his absence the Mets can see some young players try to earn a position in the major leagues such as Josh Satin, Mike Baxter, and Juan Lagares.
