Brodie Van Wagenen spoke to the media on Saturday at Citi Field and gave off the impression that the team is still very much trying to win in 2019, and that isn’t going to change anytime soon.
“I don’t think my mindset or the mission statement for this franchise has changed. It’s been our goal to win now and our goal is to win in the future. So moves that we make will have an eye towards that.
Despite a 33-36 record and the fact they are 7.5 games behind the first place Atlanta Braves in the NL East, Van Wagenen gave off an optimistic vibe.
“Results matter. At this point, I think we’ve played pretty well. I don’t believe that we’re looking at anything as a lost season. We have talent. We have heart. And we have a group of people that believe in each other, and will pick each other up.”
While the Mets have continued to show fight late in games, the team’s bullpen has killed them all season, making many of those comebacks forgotten, overshadowed by demoralizing defeats this season.
The Mets’ GM came short of committing one way or the other when it comes to being buyers or sellers at the MLB Trade Deadline, pointing instead to a grueling schedule ahead.
“We have important games in front of us over the next couple of weeks and we anticipate to be competitive in that period down.”
Those “important games” coming up include two more against the St. Louis Cardinals, six games with the Atlanta Braves, four games with the Chicago Cubs, and four games with the Philadelphia Phillies before they get their next off day.
After that, they will have to play two games with the New York Yankees and three more with the Phillies before the All-Star Break.
Brodie Van Wagenen showed his continued interest in trying to win on Saturday with his two additions to the roster, one in which he recalled Chris Flexen from Triple-A Syracuse and one by trade as he acquired Brooks Pounders from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for cash considerations.
The former CAA agent said that the team “will continue to look for opportunities to get better.” The question remains, will these or future reinforcements prove to be acquired too late?
