New York Mets need Betts, can Mookie end title drought?

After the New York Mets had a historic season, depending on how you want to look at it, the Flushing ball club should have made the playoffs.

It’s easy to blame Edwin Diaz and Jeurys Familia for their pitiful play all season long or Mickey Callaway’s ineptitude to manage. The good news is that the New York Mets finally have an exciting core to build around behind National League Rookie of the Year (I know he hasn’t taken home the honor yet), Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, Amed Rosario (who took a great step forward in his second year in the show) or JD Davis, who Brodie Van Wagenen swindled via trade from the Houston Astros.

Don’t forget the starting rotation led by back-to-back NL Cy Young award winner (I know he hasn’t gotten it yet either) Jacob deGrom. There is also Noah Syndergaard, who should have a bounce-back year, and Marcus Stroman. With all that talent, the Mets should be competing for a National League East division crown in 2020.

Notice I left Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo, and Steven Matz off that list.

While I am truly a fan of them, I can’t let their performances cloud my judgment. There’s no doubt that BVW hindered New York’s funds and prospect pool by taking on Robinson Cano‘s contract last offseason. But one thing is for sure, Brodie has the flare for making a big splash.

Why not add a five-tool-player who’s just entering his prime from the team the New York Mets beat for their last World Series championship in 1986? That’s right I’m talking about the Mets trading for Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts.

As reported by Howie Kussoy in the New York Post, Sox team president Sam Kennedy told members of the press :

"“There is a way, but obviously it will be difficult given the nature of the agreements and the contracts we have in place,” Kennedy said Monday at Fenway Park. “We have a very targeted and strategic plan that we’re building now. … It is going to be a challenging offseason, but we’re ready to attack it head-on and do everything we can to put a competitive team out there not just for next year but 2021, 2022.”"

In six seasons with the Red Sox, Betts has racked up four straight All-Star nods, three Gold Gloves, two Silver Sluggers, a batting title and a 2018 World Series Championship. That’s quite the resume for the Nashville, Tennessee, native. He’s produced a 42 WAR during that span, most recently turning in a 6.8 WAR season.

While he enters his final year of arbitration before he can become a free agent in 2021, Betts accomplishments on the field speak for themselves, Kennedy has already nixed any idea of Mookie being on the 2020 squad.

While there will be many suitors, the New York Mets have the pieces to snag the former MVP from Boston. With only a year of control left, the Amazins’ won’t have to empty the farm or give away too many pieces since Boston wants to get under MLB’s luxury tax.

Brandon Nimmo, Steven Matz and Ryder Ryan for Mookie

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Sure the Mets probably won’t be able to duplicate Nimmo’s enthusiasm and speed in the leadoff spot but Nimmo has profiled as a fourth outfielder by many scouts. Matz may have turned in his best complete season wearing the blue and orange but he has the tendency to see his brilliance take a turn for the worst.

Michael Conforto and Franklyn Kilome

Despite turning in his best offensive season with 33 home runs and 92 RBIs and a star ready to emerge, Conforto hasn’t really put it together in five seasons in a Mets uniform. He has two years of control and being able to hit in the friendly confines of Fenway Park, the 26-year-old slugger could make that leap.

While it shouldn’t really count against him, he is represented by agent Scott Boras, who’s had the inclination to not “play ball” and steer free agents towards the Mets organization. I say avoid the headache of contract talks and ship him up to Boston (queue Dropkick Murphys song).

Next. Giants Week 5 fantasy start/sit - Hello Golden Tate. dark

I could get used to seeing this in Citi Field.

Boston is ready to rebuild and the Mets have been hesitant to do it, Brodie might as well go all-in and help make Mookie Betts become a hero in Flushing like Mookie Wilson.

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