THE YANKEES’ INVESTED FUTURE/THE METS’ DIVESTED FUTURE

Another Subway Series has begun.  Last night, the Yankees defeated the Mets 4-1 in their first of 6 games against each other this season.  Tonight, the Yankees took the second game at Citi Field.  At this stage of the 2018 season, one thing is very evident - the Yanks (42-18) are destined for another successful season and more than likely the playoffs in 4 months, while the Mets (27-34) are destined for another failing season.  In an embarrassing current stat, the Mets’ amount of wins (27) is almost equal to the Yankees’ amount of games over the .500 mark (24)!

As far as talent is concerned, the Yankees have so many youthful players with impressive results.  Some of the NYY players showed very valuable potential last season (Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, and Luis Severino).  This season, the buzz around baseball is directed at two other youthful call-ups (Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar).  Additionally, if Greg Bird ever stays healthy (he was just added to the team a couple of weeks ago), he may finally become yet another potential youthful additive for this team.

The Mets have not had any new talented players demonstrate astonishment towards their Major League roster this season.  They are still weighing in on farm system players that played for them last season (Steven Matz, Amed Rosario, Michael Conforto, and Brandon Nimmo).  Out of the latter group, both have begun showing improvements this season, but Matz (like Bird) has to prove that he can remain healthy.  Furthermore, the Mets have not added any significant talent from outside transactions except older players who no one else tried to attain (Adrian Gonzalez, Jose Bautista, and their own farmhand, José Reyes).  They also acquired Todd Frazier.  With those additives, the Mets’ roster has collectively become the third oldest in the majors.

While the present demonstrates a major contrast between the two teams, the greatest difference is clearly their futures.  The Yankees’ farm system, per Bleacher Report (https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759103-mlb-farm-system-rankings-pre-2018-spring-training-edition#slide6) was rated at Number 3, while the Mets’ farm system was ranked at Number 29 - only the Kansas City Royals are worse!  Except for starting pitching, the Yankees are so overloaded with talent in their minor league system that they can confidently promote an infielder, an outfielder, or a bullpen pitcher that other teams have shown desire to attain for their Major League rosters.  That’s what they did when they promoted their third baseman of the future (Miguel Andujar) because Brandon Drury was placed on the disabled list for a migraine condition and they promoted their second baseman of the future (Gleyber Torres) when Neil Walker didn’t demonstrate enough to remain as their regular second baseman.

The next few years offer a great deal of potential for the Yankees with their pool of talent in place and their money sitting in an account waiting to be spent for next season, when their luxury tax penalties are reset.  On the opposite side of the spectrum, the Mets’ farm system will not grow rapidly from the bottom to the top, especially without a true commitment from them to spend on more international scouts to help them finally sign and develop a decent-sized group of international players.  The Mets also have to finally commit some free agent spending money for players under the age of 35, or even 30.