Let me just start by saying this.
I love Bartolo Colon.
Colon was EASILY one of Sandy Alderson’s best signings.
His veteran presence and pitching down the stretch were instrumental in our playoff runs in 2015 and 2016. Especially in 2016, where along with Noah Syndergaard, he anchored the pitching staff, following season ending injuries to Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz.
His trips to the plate are must see TV.
His Homerun in San Diego off James Shields led to a Top 5 Gary Cohen call.
With all that being said…
It’s 2018.
He’s going to be 45 in May.
He played for the MONTREAL EXPOS.
Does the front office believe he can still be an asset?
He was awful last year with Atlanta and Minnesota.
Does the front office simply want to placate the fans who want nothing more than a #BIGSEXY tee on Free Shirt Fridays?
Who knows.
Maybe this is our reality now as Mets fans.
If we land a big name it’ll be AT LEAST 7 years too late.
With that in mind, I’d like to talk about our offseason acquisitions prior to the 2018 season.
Only we’ll take a look at how the team would look if these players were signed 7 years ago.
You know? Like if we were a big market team.
Quietly, Asdrubal Cabrera has been one of Sandy’s great signings.
He was phenomenal down the stretch in 2016.
What if we signed 2011 Cabrera though?
Watch out NL EAST!
Cabrera hit 25 Home Runs along with 92 RBIS in 2011, earning him a trip to the All Star game.
He would need to play Third or Second base though, so hopefully a young Asdrubal wouldn’t request a trade.
Look at that swing!
You know he got all of that one.
While 2018 Gonzalez promises to be better in the clubhouse than 2011 Gonzalez, I’d be shocked if he had a better season on the field.
Adrian had 213 hits in 2011. He smacked 27 Homeruns and drove in 117 Runs while hitting a cool 338.
Could you imagine that type of production in 2018?
Add in the mentoring of Dominic Smith which is priceless, and we have the makings of a contender over here.
(I know. I know. We could have had Adrian Gonzalez 13 years ago for Armando Benitez. Let’s let bygones be bygones.)
*NOTE*
I was going to include Jay Bruce who had a great 2011. 32 Homeruns and
97 RBIs. Pretty impressive.
The thing is…
He was actually better in 2016 and 2017.
I’m happy to have Jay Bruce back.
I know we needed a centerfielder and Bruce is a corner outfielder.
Beggars can’t be choosers though.
My final inclusion here is a little tricky.
He hasn’t technically been signed by the Mets.
But who are we kidding??
2011. What a time.
The image of Jose Reyes beating out a bunt and then immediately removing himself from the game, will forever remain in Baseball lore.
What about this guy leading off for us in 2018?
2011 Reyes won the batting title hitting .337 and stole 39 bases.
:GRABS PAYPHONE: Hey, Sandy! You know that speed you’ve been looking for?
After the 2011 season, Jose Reyes was not resigned by the Mets.
Sandy Alderson thought that later in his career, Reyes’ game would be too dependent on his legs.
Alderson signed Jose Reyes in 2016 and 2017.
I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say Reyes will be here in 2018 as well.
So, let’s take a look at this lineup.
2B- 2011 Reyes
3B- 2011 A. Cabrera
CF- M. Conforto
LF- Y. Cespedes
1B- 2011 A. Gonzalez
RF- 2018 J. Bruce
SS- A. Rosario
C- T. d’Arnaud
P- Syndergaard
That’s a contender, boys!
Seriously, though.
Let’s close the Bartolo Colon chapter.
LGM.