“He knew how fickle human hearts can be.” (John 2:24)

That’s a quote from the Good Book. Not the latest Bill James Handbook or Moneyball, but that other book that’s been cited, qualified from and consistently on the lips of Met fans (at least according to Twitter and various comment sections). Phrases like,

“What in God’s name is Brodie Van Wagenen (BVW) doing?”

This is not to say BVW is akin to a Christian deity, but to emphasize this fan base’s fickleness; defined as “changing frequently, especially as regards one’s loyalties, interests, or affection” as rampant and disheartening.

A true fan is rooting for laundry.

By no means am I advocating against critiquing completed moves; nor am I against clamoring and cajoling for something different. But if BVW stands firm and arrives at Port St. Lucie with Juan Lagares penciled in center field, will you stop being a Mets fan?

If they avoid offering the injury-prone A.J. Pollock the long-term deal he’s hoping for (giving up a draft pick in the process), will you cancel your subscription to SNY, MLB At-Bat or whatever method you use to tune into Gary, Keith, and Ron?

The advent of technology has all but eliminated patience. Pausing for review is almost deemed pointless if it means missing being first; whether that is first to report actual news, first to rehash what someone else said or just first to post your opinion. The result is we all mock when Mike Puma or someone of his ilk state/tweet that the Mets are done, then report hours later about another move.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m hoping the Mets make a few more moves as much as anyone else. It would be amazing if the Mets were MLB’s Masked Singer, taking off their giant costume head to reveal a short-term, high-value deal for Bryce Harper to roam center at Citi Field.

But how long before someone would question about right-handed protection to bat behind him?

IMO, he may be billed as a center fielder, but Harper is a corner OF guy. The back of his proverbial baseball card shows in seven seasons, only about 18 percent of his total innings (1395.1 of 7848.2) have been in CF. Yes, he can play the position, but even the Nationals would move Harper to a corner in the late innings.

His bat makes the discussion moot. But like the best free agent signing in Mets history, how long before fans forget all of Carlos Beltran’s successes and focus on just the failure to hit a curve on 3 and 2 that went 12 to 6? How would a reported malcontent take to being reported as a malcontent by the New York media?

Any self-respecting media persona will tell you the Mets are not the Yankees and still have plenty to do, but as we hope BVW finishes what he started, it’s good to know he’s already made the worst move of the offseason.

He could make it ‘worse’ by looking into any of these currently available non-pitching free agents:

Catcher

We’re all still waiting for Travis d’Arnuad, a previously ‘untouchable’ catching prospect, to fulfill being the main piece of the trade sending Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey to the Blue Jays. If the addition of a potential back-end starter without a decent breaking ball had not developed into Thor, then this deal is viewed differently. Instead, I think BVW should look into adding either…

  • Martín Maldonado – This would take the best defensive catcher left (AL Gold Glove in 2017, Caught Stealing Percentage (CS%) for his eight-year career is 38%, MLB average is 28%) off the board in a backup role.
  • Devin Mesoraco – While his career CS% in eight seasons is just 24%, he would serve as a power RHB off bench, is already familiar with the staff and it felt like the pitchers responded to his pitch-calling.

Outfield

This is a need of surplus, preference and questionable priority. Keon Broxton and Lagares mean two defense-first center fielders to go with Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo. At some point, Yoenis Cespedes will return, but it was uncertain whether he would play in 2019 back in October and that hasn’t changed much with no timetable for his return.

With the additions of Robinson Cano and Jed Lowrie, it’s likely that Jeff McNeil will see time in the Mets’ outfield. But they can’t be done adding outfielders with more traditional options available like…

  • Marwin Gonzalez – Adding this versatile infielder/outfielder made more sense before the Lowrie signing. However, he would add depth on two fronts with a little more pop from the right side of the plate. I’m not a fan of his career strikeout/walk ratio (541/179), but I also prefer two doubles to a home run.
  • Adam Jones – Only 33, he’s already played 13 years in The Show and owns four Gold Gloves. Granted, the last one came in 2014, but Jones did hit .281 last year with 35 doubles and cannot be any worse than adding Adrian Gonzalez was last year.
  • Nick Markakis – He may be a safer bet than A.J. Pollock, but he’s a 35-year old corner outfielder coming off the best year of his career. Even if his addition on the field made sense, his cost (2-3 year deal worth $8-11 million per) might be too much.

Shortstop 

I do not think another backup infielder is necessary, but others see a roster in need of depth. With that in mind, there are names still unsigned that might be willing to take a backup role with an understanding they would be reserves likely to finish the season somewhere else.

  • Jose Iglesias – A career .270 hitter who finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year in 2013, if the market remains stale for this former Tiger with a 2.5 WAR noted for his glove could be willing to take a one-year deal with a player option.
  • Freddy Galvis – He’s stayed on the field, starting all 162 for the Padres last year and the Phillies in 2017. He’s hit a total of 45 home runs over the past three seasons from the right side and during that time led the league in Fielding percentage as a shortstop.

Thanks for reading and LGM.