3 Offseason Moves the Mets Need to Make to Get Back to the Playoffs

Aside from the Philadelphia Phillies, the New York Mets were arguably the most aggressive team over the winter, leading to huge expectations in 2019. However, just like the Mets often do, they underachieved and will finish third in the NL East with a record just above .500.

Now, some of their players had incredible individual seasons, highlighted by Pete Alonso's historic rookie campaign and Jacob deGrom backing up his Cy Young Award-winning season with another.

That doesn't mean they still don't need to make some roster tweaks to get where they want, so here are three offseason moves that will help the Mets get back to the postseason.

3. Replace Zack Wheeler

The loss of Zack Wheeler is going to hurt, especially since he looked like a top-of-the-rotation starter at times this season. But he's entering free agency and will get paid handsomely, meaning we all know the Mets won't be in the running to sign him. His return seemed unlikely once they acquired Marcus Stroman, who is under contract for 2020, but that doesn't mean they're all set from a rotation standpoint. Wheeler isn't easily replaceable, so Brodie Van Wagenen might have to get creative here.

2. Find Someone to Take Edwin Diaz and/or Jeurys Familia

When Van Wagenen made the huge blockbuster trade in the offseason with the Seattle Mariners that brought Robinson Cano to Queens, he had his eyes more on closer Edwin Diaz than anything else. Well, both players fell on their face in 2019. Diaz went from the best reliever in the sport to arguably the most unreliable big-name reliever. That's a problem, and it's not like bringing Jeurys Familia back on a three-year deal helped. Both relievers failed miserably, which is why if the Mets want to have better than the 25th-ranked bullpen, they need to move one or both of them, somehow. Diaz seems more possible because of his history and age, and quite honestly, he might be the right choice because he didn't seem comfortable pitching in the bright lights of New York.

1. Fire Mickey Callaway

I know the Mets were still competitive and in the playoff mix in September, and the players seemed to go hard for Mickey Callaway, but for this team to get to that next level he needs to go. It's a little shocking he made it through the entire season, as there were plenty of moments on and off the field that led you to believe he was on his way out, but Brodie stuck with him until the end. Now, he can fire him and hire his own guy. With the likes of Joe Maddon, Joe Girardi and Buck Showalter expected to be on the market, it would be smart for the Wilpons to open up the checkbook for a veteran manager who can certainly handle New York.