Photo: Mets.com
New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen addressed the team’s media corps on Monday evening from the winter meetings in Las Vegas, giving a clear idea of what path the Metropolitans are looking to traverse this offseason.
“We are active in looking at the bullpen, we’re looking at the catching market — primarily via trade — and then some movement of the free agency side,” Van Wagenen said (video via SNY). “And also seeing if we can improve our offense in other ways”.
With top-line backstops in Yasmani Grandal and Wilson Ramos available in the open market, as well as a deal for Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto reportedly being discussed, this appears to be a priority for Van Wagenen & Co.
When asked if a trade for Realmuto was “less likely than a week ago,” Van Wagenen kept things vague, as to not give away his hand.
“I think a lot of teams are talking to the Marlins. I would anticipate his market picking up while we’re down here,” he said. “If the Marlins find the right package of players they’re looking for […]. We’ll continue to have discussions with all the available catchers.”
When asked about possibly adding a right-handed bat to the Mets’ roster, Van Wagenen confirmed that the team is cognizant of the situation, saying “in a perfect world, we would be able to get some better balance in our lineup […] whether that’s additional right-handed hitters or [switch hitters], we’re trying to create some balance.”
While acknowledging that this offseason has been a “slow-to-develop market,” he alluded to being aggressive, saying that they wouldn’t “wait for markets to develop” and he’d “identify what we want then go out and get it.”
Van Wagenen explained his train of thought after filling out the team’s front office over the last few weeks with Allard Baird, Adam Guttridge, and Jared Banner joining the staff, acknowledging his “lack of experience in certain areas,” referencing player development and scouting, admitting he “wanted to make sure I gave myself the proper support.”
Mets COO Jeff Wilpon is with team brass in Las Vegas. Van Wagenen lauded his assistance in getting the trade for Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano completed and said: “with as many different balls as we have in the air right now, I felt it would be strategically helpful to have him here with us.”
When asked about moving one of his core position players — specifically the Mets’ starting shortstop Amed Rosario, Van Wagenen gave an insightful, logical response.
“The way I look at any trade, we want the trade to make us better; we don’t want to create a hole that we didn’t have by filling a hole that we did have,” Van Wagenen said. “We want to make sure if we do make moves, we’re adding to our strengths and filling the gaps where we need the help.”
He believes the Mets have “greater depth in our system than most people recognize”, but has “been resistant to include players like Peter Alonso and Andres Gimenez into deals.” Van Wagenen wouldn’t comment on whether Gimenez would start the year in Double-A Binghamton or Triple-A Syracuse.
The topic of the Mets’ starting pitchers was brought up and Van Wagenen appeared to know exactly how good of a hand he was dealt with this group, as well as who has the leverage in any potential trade discussions.
“As we look at our starting pitching, we have high-end talent, we have years of team control for those players, and I think people are going to be attracted to our talent,” he said. “That’s true on the pitching staff and that’s also true [for position players].”
“Our goals here, and as we go forward in the offseason, is to try to identify what we need and what we want and to be aggressive and try to solve those,” Van Wagenen said. “We won’t necessarily look to be helping other teams fill their voids unless it helps ours.”
That sounds like a plan.
