4/4/2008

Top Prospects: New York Mets

A Depleted System With Some Remaining Glitter

This last offseason, the New York Mets somehow managed to acquire the most-coveted pitcher in baseball when they captured Johan Santana in exchange for a small boat filled with prospects. What might be an even greater feat, though, is the way they did it without parting with either of their two best young athletes. The cream of the Mets prospect crop remains intact and ready to contribute as the club moves into swanky new digs for 2009.

Fernando Martinez is still very young, but he possesses one of the most exciting bats in the minors. Untouchable in the offseason, will he stay a Met long enough to contribute in 'New Shea?'

When the Mets sent Carlos Gomez, Phil Humber, Deolis Guerra and others to the Minnesota Twins, they very deliberately held on to one of last year's best prospects, pitcher Mike Pelfrey, and their number one offensive threat of the future, teenaged Fernando Martinez.

There's no more textbook example of 'going for it' than what the Mets have done, decimating the farm to bring in one 'difference maker' pitcher who can put them over the top, and lead the team to a long October. (For another great example of this gambit from the other side of the country, see our preview of the Arizona Diamondbacks Top Prospects from two weeks ago.)

The modern Mets have not been active in the last few major league drafts, letting their first round picks go and not being aggressive in signing very much top talent. Instead, the club has invested blood and treasure in Latin America: the Mets signed more International players last year than any other MLB team. This means that the approach that found and secured superprospect Martinez may have more to offer in the future.

In the meantime, of course, the Santana-led New York Mets are not thinking about prospects. They are thinking about winning. Right. Now.

For details on the handful of Mets rookies who will shine first, see the complete list of our Top Mets Prospects for 2008.