Fansided

How Brodie Van Waganen can make the Mets competitive in 2019

By Matt O'Leary

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 30: New York Mets COO Jeff Wilpon speaks to the media prior to a game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on September 30, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 30: New York Mets COO Jeff Wilpon speaks to the media prior to a game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on September 30, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /
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realmuto
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 26: J.T. Realmuto #11 of the Miami Marlins in action during the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 26, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Miami Marlins via Getty Images) /

Step 1 Find a Catcher

It’s no surprise, the Mets catching position has been a weakness since Paul Lo Duca left after 2007. Guys like Omir Santos, Josh Thole, John Buck, Travis d’Arnaud, and Kevin Plawecki have been stop gaps but there’s nothing to write home about at that position.

This is where Van Wagenen can make his first splash as a General Manager, deep sea fishing for a Marlin.

Derek Jeter and the Marlins are selling players off like hot cakes. They have a 27-year-old All-Star catcher in his prime wasting away. Entice them with some prospects and get a deal done.

Realmuto is everything you want in a catcher. This past year he slashed .277/.340/.484 with 21 home runs, 74 RBI, and an OPS of .825. He’s a lifetime .279 hitter, and best of all he has two more years of arbitration so you don’t have to pay him the big bucks yet. You know the Wilpons will salivate over that. Also, keep in mind Realmuto is a CAA client.

The Marlins get two top-caliber prospects from the Mets system. Kay, the Mets seventh-ranked prospect, is a former first-round pick. The 23-year-old lefty pitched to a 4.26 ERA this year.

Peterson is another left-handed prospect who had a productive year playing in A+ and A ball this year. He pitched to a 3.16 ERA with a 1.172 WHIP.

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