Sometimes people seem to live and die by the power of the rumor mill. Whether it's musicians, actors, politicians, business executive or athletes, the fact is that a hot rumor is like adrenaline for both the barfly and the legitimate media. Come on...we all have to confess having fallen prey to the tiniest tidbits of so-called legitimate data to go dancing down the aisles (or ready to head for the pitchforks and torches).
This weekend was no different. There were two Mets-related bits that crept up in the media coverage that caused just this kind of fervor both good and bad. The first one concerned the Mets front office finally making gestures towards solid free agent lefty reliever Tony Watson. At this stage of his career, Watson is likely looking at the $1.5 million or so annual paycheck. All he's done to deserve it is bank a career-long ERA of 2.90. Yeah, I think a lefty reliever who has that big a track record of success would slot in nicely in Queens. I've advocated him in the past and given how close the season is to starting (less than 2 weeks away), the fact he's still available suggests people are either scared off by his age or his subpar 2021 performance. For the Mets, he'd be the veteran lefty to help since the others in-house -- Chasen Shreve and Alex Claudio -- have combined for only about half as many games as the former Pirate, Dodger and Giant who is still seeking a new job.
The stranger one from a well known Internet troll suggested that the Mets are working towards a two-year contract with the unwanted Michael Conforto who has had no suitors coming off his disastrous 2021 season. He turned down the QO at the behest of his greedy agent and now finds the 2022 season about to begin with his entrance to the ballpark requiring a ticket just like the rest of us. Apparently the purported offer is for $20 million combined for two seasons. The $10 million annual salary is less than he earned for 2021. The deal allegedly includes an opt-out after 2022 which he would surely exercise if he rebounded productively. The price seems laughingly low but probably fair given the late state of the preseason and his long history of injuries plus last year's offensive results. Personally I don't see how he really fits into the mix as Mark Canha would become a very expensive 4th outfielder, plus it would take AB opportunities away from the far less expensive Dom Smith and J.D. Davis.
For the Mets, there's still roster work to be done. No one is completely satisfied with the potential holes in the productivity that can be expected from the catcher position, the second base position, the DH position and even Mark Canha. No one is completely sold on Starling Marte's sudden recovery but his track record suggests it was just an unfortunately timed injury and not something chronic (though we have all seen misdiagnosed and mistreated oblique injuries linger for months at a time).
Pitching, of course, remains the primary concern for most people. Carlos Carrasco in his first preseason game did nothing to dissuade folks from their hammers and nails in his playing day coffin given how badly he delivered last year. Taijuan Walker finally made it to the mound and was good in his brief two-inning stint. A few spare parts like Tylor Megill and David Peterson have flashed some good moments as well.
The bullpen, however, is still very much a work in progress. After Edwin Diaz, Seth Lugo, Miguel Castro and Trevor May it's a mystery who's going to make up the innings eaten by Aaron Loup, Jeurys Familia, Robert Gsellman and others. I can only hope for the best from Adam Ottavino, but his last better-than-average seasons were in 2018 and 2019 playing for the Rockies and the Yankees. His problem has always been the base on balls and for his career while he averages 10.4 strikeouts per 9 IP, he also gives away 4.1 walks over the same interval. Drew Smith is a welcome return but he's only been in 66 games for his entire career which has been marred by injury. Shreve and Claudio have been decent for middle relievers but no one is approaching what Loup delivered in 2021.
It's a long season that includes 162 games. Between streaks, slumps and injuries no one knows exactly what will happen, but here's hoping the front office is paying attention this time.
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