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Laughably Cheap New York Mets Will Never Add Needed Pieces On Offense

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Heading into the 2015 MLB season, those who weren’t living under a rock over the winter understood the New York Mets would be showcasing one of, if not the best pitching staff in not only the National League, but all of MLB.

While the rotation undoubtedly took a hit when Zack Wheeler was lost to Tommy John surgery, GM Sandy Alderson and company maintained a ‘show must go on mentality’ and the Mets’ brass insisted that 2015 will indeed be the year the Metropolitans return to relevancy as a franchise and team.

As we speak, just over a week into June, things have gone essentially as expected in Flushing. The Mets’ pitchers have been outstanding, having given up the sixth-fewest runs in MLB. Meanwhile, the offense has been absolutely putrid due to injury and just plain ineffectiveness. However, despite the lackluster offensive showing, the Mets are in first place of the NL East (31-27) a third of the way through the season.

Given how the franchise has floundered in turmoil over the past five seasons since Alderson’s regime took over, you would think Alderson — along with owners Fred Wilpon and Jeff Wilpon — would be burning the midnight oil in efforts to explore the MLB trade wire for a potential deal that could help the club.

You know, something like what Seattle Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik just did by trading for slugger Mark Trumbo. Zduriencik fully understood his offense was absolutely deplorable, would not stand for it and ultimately obtained Trumbo in a fair deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

What have the powers that be inside the Mets been up to lately?

Apparently, they’re interested in guys like Ben Zobrist, who isn’t even an upgrade at this point of his career over any middle infielder on New York’s roster including Daniel Murphy and Wilmer Flores. That’s the type of earth-shattering maneuver Alderson and the laughably cheap Mets ownership are considering.

They’re working feverishly in efforts to acquire a 35-year-old player (whose performance at the plate is on a rapid decline) on the last year of his deal from Billy Beane of the Oakland Athletics who would probably let Zobrist go if the Mets took on his contract and stocked the soda machines inside of Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

Sure, we’ve got about six weeks until the non-waiver deadline and the Mets have plenty of time to prove naysayers wrong. However, there’s been virtually zero indication in recent years that this group is willing to do anything and everything to win. Alderson knew this team had the makings of something amazing in regards to the pitching staff, yet his big splash in free agency over the offseason was bringing an aging Michael Cuddyer into town to play a mediocre left field.

Those on Alderson’s side saying things like “gotta stick with the plan” and “pitching and defense is what wins in the playoffs” have valid points. But they fail to realize a few things. For starters, all the Mets’ top batting prospects, Brandon Nimmo, Dominic Smith and Michael Conforto, have promise. However, all three are likely two years away minimum from making a significant impact with the big club.

And even when they do arrive, there’s as good of a chance that two of the three end up as busts as there is that two of the three don’t. Thus, as usual when the two words “Mets” and “winning” are brought up in the same sentence, it’s something that could happen some day down the road.

Forget about how awful the 2016 free agent crop looks outside of Justin Upton (who we all know the Mets will never pay anyway). This team is in first place right now! And there’s a solid chance they’ll be fighting with the Washington Nationals for the NL East title all summer. Unfortunately, though, as amazing as this pitching staff is, there’s not a staff on earth that could carry this Mets lineup throughout a 162-game season.

It’s time for the Mets to bite the bullet, trade one of their many arms and take on some payroll. No one wants Jon Niese or Dillon Gee in return for a difference maker. Sure, those guys might get you a role player who can help the club, but not someone who’s going to push New York over the top. If the Mets really want to prove they intend on winning, it’s time to move either Noah Syndergaard or Steven Matz for a legitimate offensive piece to the puzzle.

Timothy Downs is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. You can ‘like him’ on Facebook add him on Google or follow him Twitter @Tidow1212

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