New York Mets continue to pass on greatest need

The New York Mets have been linked to almost every big name free agent this winter, but will any of their targets actually make the team a contender once again?

Baseball season is still months away, but it’s never too early to criticize the New York Mets. The team brought in new general manager in Brodie Van Wagenen to signal to fans that change is coming for this team. Is it really though?

After the announcement that the team acquired 36-year-old second baseman Robinson Cano, coming off of a season where he was suspended for using performance-enhancing drugs, it seemed like more of the same from this team.

While Cano is better than any player used at second base this past season, how does the move signal that this team wants to be considered a contender?

The more important part of the Cano trade was the acquisition of closer Edwin Diaz. Diaz is coming off an incredible season where he posted 57 saves; definitely something Mets fans would love to see in Queens. One way to help Diaz and the rest of the incredibly unreliable Mets’ bullpen is to bring in a trusted catcher.

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Diaz has only been in the league since 2016, but last season he was the youngest closer to notch 50 saves in a season.

The Mets might have gotten a real gem in their bullpen with Diaz, but no doubt he will stumble throughout the season like all pitchers do. A good way to help a young pitcher? Bring in a veteran catcher.

Imagine watching a Jacob deGrom start and not fully expecting the bullpen to blow it.

Imagine deGrom handing off the ball after pitching a one-run, ten strikeout game and having confidence he would secure the win.

Not only because the team upgraded the bullpen, but because the catcher would be able to settle down any pitcher who did not have it that day.

This team is lacking the leadership required to take them through a 162 game season and beyond. Losing David Wright was a big loss in the clubhouse that the team never bothered to fill despite Wright being sidelined for the majority of the last few seasons.

Replacing what Wright brought to the team, even while injured, probably won’t happen this season, but the team needs to shift focus on their strength, their starting pitching, and work from there.

Instead of listening to offers about Noah Syndergaard, this team should be locking up both of their young stars and surrounding them with the best talent. The team was linked to Indians’ catcher Yan Gomes before he was traded to division rival Washington. Gomes would have been a nice complement to both deGrom, Syndergaard and the rest of the Mets’ pitching staff.

After losing out on Gomes, however, it appears the Mets are not looking too hard for a catcher. Currently on the Mets’ roster sits Travis d’Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki. Two guys who have not lived up to expectations and probably should not be New York’s top catcher. d’Arnaud has struggled to stay healthy and in his absence, Plawecki was awful offensively.

This team needs to make deGrom and Syndergaard their top priorities. deGrom is coming off a Cy Young winning season and one of the greatest seasons ever for a starting pitcher. It is unlikely that he will be able to duplicate those numbers.

Syndergaard is one of the hardest throwers of all time, but definitely needs help when runners do get on base. It is glaringly obvious after watching one game started by Syndergaard that his delivery allows runners to get a good jump when trying to swipe a bag.

The names Jerry Grote, Gary Carter, and Mike Piazza all evoke emotion when Mets’ fans hear their names. This front office needs to look back at their history and realize the common theme during their successful years.

This team doesn’t need the greatest catcher to ever play or a big home run threat. Just a catcher who can control pitchers when they get into trouble during games and one who can throw runners out.

With the Winter Meetings set to start this week, keep an eye on the Mets meeting with catchers. The team was linked to Marlins’ catcher J.T. Realmuto, but the price tag appears to be too high.