Mets will be aggressive in pursuit of free agents, not so much focus on trade targets
Sandy Alderson made it clear the Mets are not being cautious in this winter’s sunken market.
The team president said the Mets are not waiting for the “best buy” and will instead be assertive in their pursuit of free agents.
“We’re not waiting for the market to develop,” Alderson said Sunday on SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio with Jim Bowden and Jim Duquette. “We’re trying to be a little more aggressive. But at the same time, it takes two to engage. I do think some segments of the market are going to move more quickly.”
The Braves, once again jumping out ahead, signed new faces in Charlie Morton and Drew Smyly over the past two weeks. GM Alex Anthopoulos likes to operate swiftly to address the club’s immediate needs. That doesn’t necessarily mean other clubs, like the Mets, are idly staring out the window.
Steve Cohen’s Mets have their sights set on the upper echelon of the free agent market; the Amazin’s are open to having serious conversations with players like J.T. Realmuto and George Springer.
Using Atlanta as an example, Alderson said he expects the middle of the market for starting pitchers to move more quickly than the top tier of that group. Then again … “I mean really, the top end of that market is one guy,” Alderson said. “I don’t know where that’s going to go.”
Enter: Trevor Bauer. The reigning NL Cy Young winner is the hottest starter on the market this offseason. Alderson and Bauer publicly advertised their admiration for one another and it sure appeared like the outspoken righthander and the Amazin’s were on the same page. It’s likely Bauer is waiting for offers from other clubs, including the Dodgers, which will delay his eventual signing.
The impact of playing baseball through the COVID-19 pandemic has diminished baseball’s finances. Long-term contracts are expected to decline, team revenues are unknown as owners assert they lost hundreds of millions of dollars and, as has been the case in recent years, non-tendered veteran players will likely go unclaimed.
Alderson, in his re-do with the Mets, is no longer worried about penny pinching. New owner Cohen and his estimated $14 billion net worth control the purse strings and he’s delighted to skillfully spend. Cohen has indicated he’s prepared to take advantage of this offseason’s depressed market. He is, after all, the only owner in MLB who didn’t lose money in 2020. He’s also the richest owner in the league.
So, what’s the Amazin’s plan? Fans can expect Alderson to focus on free agents rather than trade targets.
“There are only two currencies in baseball, players and money,” Alderson said. “Now, especially in the upper levels of our system, we don’t have the players. We have some money. So we’re going to balance those two things. We expect to be active in the free agent market as opposed to the trade market. We don’t want to give up our young guys.”
Alderson, in conjunction with Cohen’s vision of building a sustainable Mets franchise, wants to replenish the team’s farm system. Over the past two years, former GM Brodie Van Wagenen’s “win now” moves led to trading away key organization prospects in Jarred Kelenic, Justin Dunn, Anthony Kay, Simeon Woods Richardson and others.
The Mets’ attempt to rebuild their depleted depth means a potential trade for, say, Francisco Lindor appears less likely. The package could involve skilled infielder Andres Gimenez, who enjoyed a breakout rookie season, and other Mets prospects. Alderson’s comments on the trade market suggest the Mets would rather land a big fish with their flexible resources.
“We’re interested in talking to a number of players,” he said. “We’ve got a number of holes to fill. We’ve got some depth that we need to create. There are a lot of different ways that we can approach this. But we’re hopeful that we can be active players. That’s our intent.”
Mets fans, though excited about the franchise’s thrilling future that Cohen’s passion has created, are getting impatient with the team’s lack of progress. Alderson pivoted from his desire to fill a president of baseball operations role to landing a GM. He has yet to announce his GM but isn’t worried about a timeline. The Mets can still sign whomever they want without the position being filled.
Cohen, on his active Twitter feed, said there are “lots of irons in the fire” and encouraged fans to be understanding with the front-office’s pace and large undertaking.
“Patience is needed,” Cohen tweeted Sunday in response to a fan’s request that the Mets begin acquiring players. “Quick decisions lead to bad decisions.”
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