Realistically, the New York Mets could be a .500 team if everything breaks right. That’s an improvement of at least one more victory a month, which isn’t unrealistic. However, let’s say it unravels early for them and it becomes apparent they have no shot at a wild card berth much less finishing at .500 or better.
What then?
Should they opt to scuttle their ship, and go from buyers to sellers again, they have numerous assets they might unload. And, none of them are their young pitchers. Here’s where they could start:
Dillon Gee: He’s under appreciated, yet consistent and an innings eater. Last season he gave them 199 and overall was their most durable and consistent starter. If the Mets can’t appreciate |that, somebody else will. He’s attractive because of his consistency, willingness to take the ball, and reasonable contract. If he’s healthy and having good season, teams could be lining up for him.
Daisuke Matsuzaka: Should they bring up Noah Syndergaard and he pitches well and there are no injuries in the rotation, Matsuzaka could draw interest from a contender. Especially, if he’s pitching like he did in his final three 2014 starts.
John Lannan: The same applies to Lannan as Matsuzaka. He’s not in their long-term plans so get what they can.
Kyle Farnsworth: If the Mets are cooked by midseason and Farnsworth is pitching well, teams are always looking for a reliable reliever.
Taylor Teagarden: He has a contract clause that allows him to leave if he’s not on the major league roster by June. So, if both Travis d’Arnaud and Anthony Recker show the catching situation is in good hands. It makes sense to showcase him.
Ike Davis: The assumption is if he’s showing anything in the first half… If there’s some run production, somebody might bite. They certainly didn’t during the winter. Davis has to show some measure of progress because teams had little interest over the winter.
Lucas Duda: Pretty much everything that applied to Davis goes for Duda. Also, if one is outperforming the other, they can keep the hot bat and deal the other.
Daniel Murphy: He will make $5 million this year, but over half will be eaten by the end of July. That’s a reasonable contract for a consistent hitter. Should Wilmer Flores demonstrate he can play the position, it might push the Mets to deal Murphy.
Eric Young: Another player with a doable contract. He came to the Mets because they needed speed and a leadoff hitter. Surely, there might be another contender who would need the same. Although calling him a leadoff hitter might be a stretch in the true sense of the role.
Chris Young: I still don’t know why the Mets signed him to a one-year, $7.25 million contract. If he doesn’t play well it is a waste and there will be likely no interest. However, if he performs, the Mets won’t go high in re-signing him and with only a one-year deal teams could show interest.
So, there you have it. Out of a 25-man roster, the Mets have ten chips. Most are average, but a few have the potential to help a contender. They probably won’t bring back much, but in the Mets’ position stockpiling players is a positive.
None of these players are untouchable or seemingly in their long-term plans. You might make a case for Davis if he’s broken out of his funk, but they’ve been saying that for three years.
