The dust has started to settle in Queens, but these next few days are set to bring more uncertainty and more than likely, more player movement. At some point, it will be time to unpack what comes next for the organization, but right now, with the trade deadline only a few days away, the only thing the Mets can do is continue to play baseball.
After trading closer David Robertson just around midnight Thursday, the mood inside the locker room was a mix of shock, disappointment and relief. What the future holds for the team is unknown. There seemed to be some surprise at the fact that the return for Robertson was two teenagers instead of prospects who are knocking at the door of the big leagues, but ultimately, the Mets understand that it’s out of their hands.
“We can’t really control what’s going on in the front office,” said first baseman Pete Alonso. “The only thing we can control is winning ballgames. We want to win as many games as we can through the rest of the year. Just because we’re selling doesn’t mean we’re not going to put our best foot forward.”
This is the sentiment of the veteran leaders of the clubhouse. Those who are staying say it’s important to continue trying to win because they don’t want to backslide into a bad place. Losing creates bad habits and bad attitudes and acceptance of losses is even worse. The Mets currently have three rookies on the roster that they value highly and they don’t want them to operate under the assumption that losing is fine.
“They can call it selling, but I don’t think it’s one of those things where we’re like, “Oh yeah, we’re done,’” said shortstop Francisco Lindor. “With this group of guys, I don’t see it. Until we are in a position where we are not in reach of the playoffs, it won’t be a part of our mindset. However, you only hope that when they do make trades, we [come out] on the better side.”
Those who are expecting to be traded are still on board with the goal.
“My mindset was always, ‘Well we can still play good baseball if we lose pieces,’” said outfielder Mark Canha. “That’s kind of where my attention is and where it’s been. Keep playing good baseball and let the logistics take care of themselves. I told the guys that regardless of what happens over the next few days, let’s just win a lot of games and see what happens.”
The Mets won’t see the results of this return for years to come. Shortstop Marco Vargas and catcher Ronald Hernandez for a few years, since Vargas is 18 and Hernandez is only 19. Both are currently playing in the Florida Complex League, a rookie-level league that is often the first stop for foreign prospects in the States.
This has many fans panicked, wondering if it means the club intends to tear down and rebuild over the next five years. It’s likely more of a retool since the club still has so many key players under contract who expect to contend. Lindor isn’t about to waste some of his prime years on a rebuilding team. Edwin Diaz is coming back next year to help the Mets win a title, not to help them gain draft picks. Jeff McNeil signed a long-term contract that kicks in next season over the winter and Starling Marte is still under contract for two more seasons.
The Mets could trade pitchers Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, which could mean that this is a larger rebuilding project than anticipated, but some of that might depend on the return. We’ll learn a lot about the Mets’ future plans and their timeline in the coming days.
This will go down as one of the more disappointing seasons in club history and in league history given the expectations and payroll — the highest baseball has ever seen — but the team on the field still has to play out the string and work toward making strides for the future even if they’re without Robertson and will soon be without guys like Canha, Brooks Raley and Tommy Pham.
“Roles change,” Lindor said. “We have to embrace the roles that we have and whoever comes into the clubhouse will know that we have to continue to win moving forward.”
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