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Mets have more work to do
Brodie Van Wagenen must keep up with busy rivals if New York is going to contend in 2020
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TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | DEC. 27-JAN. 2, 2020 37
SPORTS
BY ZACHARY GEWELB
The Mets have seen the
Phillies add Didi Gregorius
and Zack Wheeler, the
Braves sign Cole Hamels and
Will Smith, and the Nationals
retain Stephen Strasburg
— and the Yankees reel in
the market’s biggest fish in
Gerrit Cole.
As their biggest rivals
have showed their financial
might, the Mets have done
their usual off-season shopping
for bargains. And with
news of new ownership taking
over in the not-so-distant
future, the Wilpons should
allow general manager Brodie
Van Wagenen to do whatever
is necessary to stay
relevant and competitive in
what is looking like a stacked
National League East.
Don’t get me wrong. Jake
Marisnick, acquired in a
trade with the Astros, will
provide value on defense and
on the basepaths. Michael
Wacha and Rick Porcello
were smart, safe signings
that add much needed depth
for the starting rotation.
And, perhaps most importantly
to the penny-pinching
franchise, they came cheap.
But there are still moves
left for the Mets to make.
They can’t be done. The Yankees
have given their fans
Cole, and the Mets need to
ensure they give their faithful
followers more than coal
this holiday season.
While there are unlikely
to be any big deals signed
before the holidays, Van
Wagenen must improve this
team before Spring Training
begins in February if the
Mets are going to be legitimate
contenders in 2020.
So, what’s left on the holiday
shopping list?
Well, if they’re not going
to go out and pay for a star
player, the Mets should look
to bring as much depth to the
bullpen as possible.
The club has done well in
building their starting pitching
depth, but aside from
signing Brad Brach, they
have done little to enhance
their bullpen. Chances are
that Van Wagenen is counting
on bounceback seasons
from Jeurys Familia and
Edwin Diaz. And given their
track record, you don’t have
to look hard to see both relievers
returning to their
previous status as elite relievers.
But they still need
one more piece.
Enter Dellin Betances.
With the Yankees likely
spending most of their budget
on Cole, the chance of a
reunion with Betances has
dwindled. Betances should
have his eyes set on Queens
and the Mets should welcome
him with open arms. He is an
elite reliever with experience
pitching in New York and, despite
his injury-plagued 2019
campaign, still has a lot to
offer.
Look for him to sign a oneyear,
prove-it deal to build
his value back up. The Mets,
though, should offer a player
option on top of a one-year
$10 to $12 million contract.
That gives Betances security
in case he struggles in his return
from injury, and gives
the Mets a chance to keep
him for another year if he
does indeed bounce back.
Will Harris, formerly of
the Houston Astros also remains
unsigned. While he
doesn’t offer as much upside
as Betances, his sweeping
off-speed stuff would be a
nice change from the highvelocity
arms in the ‘pen.
Reach editor Zachary
Gewelb by e-mail at zgewelb@
schnepsmedia.com or by
phone at (718) 260–8303.
New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen has a lot of work to do if he wants to keep up
with the club’s rivals. AP Photo
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