MLB Dirt

By trading R.A. Dickey to the Toronto Blue Jays, Sandy Alderson has officially conceded that the Mets will be in a major rebuild mode and will not contend for the postseason in 2013. By dealing Dickey for a group that includes highly touted players Travis d’Arnaud, and right-hander Noah Syndergaard, Sandy Alderson did well in securing two potential impact players.

Despite not wanting to see Dickey dealt, I have to admit the deal makes sense from a baseball standpoint. But in the process, he traded away 15-20 wins that the 2013 Mets will not be able to recoup. Alderson is conceding the 2013 season, despite his assertion that the Mets are still wanting to win in 2013. Alderson has gone “old school rebuild” with the Mets, and is stockpiling young talent. The question we have to ask is: when will enough be enough, and when will the Mets start complimenting the young talent with major league players?

If they struggle in 2013, will he deal Ike Davis for more minor leaguers? As much potential that d’Arnaud has, he’s a catcher who has already had a serious knee injury. Zack Wheeler and Syndergaard are hard throwers who could have potential arm problems.

What if all three of their potential stars have medical issues? Then the rebuild plan goes up in smoke. Older Met fans
can tell you horror stories about the Bill Pulsipher, Paul Wilson, Jason Isringhausen era. In fact, they can also tell you other disheartening tales with names like Tim Leary, Gregg Jefferies, Alex Escobar, et al.

But I digress. At least for the time being, we’re starting to see an actual plan forming from Alderson. Before this deal
was consumated, the Mets seemed to be wandering aimlessly. So despite missing R.A. Dickey, we’ll support this move by Alderson. He’s got our attention, and we will do our best to be patient….for one more year. After that….all bets are off.

Filed under: Digging Deep - Analysis Tagged: | New York Mets, Noah Syndergaard, Prospects, R.A. Dickey, Sandy Alderson, Toronto Blue Jays, Trades, Travis d'Arnaud