Groveman: The Mets, David Wright and the road less traveled

The Mets cannot look out far.
The Mets cannot look in deep.
But when was that ever a bar
To any watch the Mets keep?

Let’s Say The Mets Took This Path:

    • Resign David Wright Long-Term
    • Sign A Few Free Agents
    • Trade Prospect Wilmer Flores
    • Compete With Washington in the NL East in 2013
    • Make World Series Run in 2014 (Behind: David Wright, Ike Davis, Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler)

The second path is darker and misty.  We can’t truly see our way, but we try our best and stumble on.  On this path the Mets trade David Wright, the face of the franchise, to a contender in need of immediate help at 3rd base.  They look to receive 2-4 prospects with at least one in the elite level of prospect-hood.  Let us argue that the Mets make this trade and that elite player they receive plays the outfield and hits righty.  The Mets then look at Lutz for the first half of 2013, until Wilmer Flores proves he’s ready.  The Mets promote Flores and, for good measure, Matt Den Dekker.  The Mets are still built from within in terms of pitching, with limited need for acquisitions there.  In 2014 the Mets re-evaluate their needs in terms of free agency based on how their young team progressed the previous year.

Let’s Say The Mets Took This Path:

    • Use Option/Trade David Wright
    • Promote From Within
    • Wait For 2014 To Make Any Signings
    • Compete With Washington and Atlanta in 2014 and 2015
    • Make World Series Run in 2015 or 2016 (Behind: Wilmer Flores, Ike Davis, Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler and the mystery man we traded Wright for)

Both of these paths get the Mets towards fielding a World Series contending team in the next 3 years.  One takes a little longer but might have the bigger reward and potential for an extended run of NL dominance.  One focuses on what we have and tries to use it without sacrificing our future.  Sadly… the Mets might take a different path altogether.