New York Mets: What players should get extensions next and what they could look like

Everyone else and conclusion.

Of course, the Mets can’t, nor should they consider extending everybody. Much of their core is still young and under team control. So instead of getting into everybody else, I will briefly get into some more players who come to mind that shouldn’t expect negotiation contracts anytime soon.

Jeff McNeil– Over time, McNeil could become one of the best players on the Mets, but if they see him as an outfield/infield hybrid and not having a true spot in the line up, I don’t see how they don’t see him as expendable. He took a while to come to the majors, but has left a good impression. But, they should be more open to trading him for assets one day, not extending him early.

Seth Lugo– Lugo has shined bright more than he has been a liability. His 2019 is off to a rip-roaring start making quick work of the three Nats he faced. We already know he can both start and come out of the pen. If the Mets keep throwing him into multiple roles, they can make him a workhorse, he is already 29 years old and not proven like deGrom.

Pete Alonso– Please, if the Mets cared so much about having him longer, then he would be in Syracuse right now, not with the Mets team that resides in Queens. While I am not saying the Mets don’t see him as a life long Met, they are clearly only worried about how he is doing right now, as they should be.

Zack Wheeler– He hasn’t made a start in 2019 yet, but if an extension didn’t happen by now, it won’t. He will become a free agent at the end of the year, whether the Mets decide to act that upon that or not is up to them. They won’t be able to keep all five starters they have now regardless.

Steven Matz– Great story, the home-grown guy, but he is not a better pitcher than his story yet. Maybe one day with him, but focus elsewhere for now.

Urgency for all the above: 0. Impossible to keep everyone. 

So, I will stop there. I went over a large chunk of who the Mets could consider giving an extension too and what it could look like, plus reasoning for doing or not doing so. MLB teams are paying their players and keeping foundations together and the Mets could start doing the same.

How these players do on the filed only matters so much, the Mets still have the same owners who we know might not be as willing to throw money around. Luckily, this is all speculation and thinking in the long-term anyway.

All of these players still need to prove they belong in the lineup tomorrow let alone in the future. But, great teams plan ahead and I hope this gives you an idea of how the Mets can begin to do so. Nothing is off-limits with Brodie Van Waganen driving the wheel and I would be happy if the Mets gave an extension to anyone of these guys to lock up another piece to the puzzle.

Brodie wants to win now and win in the future. This is an article where both of those worlds collide. All thanks to Jacob deGrom. Again, this is all spit balling. The market changes everyday so there is no way of knowing who will get re-signed and how. The main point is the Mets should try to keep some of these players around long term at whatever cost.