Looking through the rosters of the other MLB teams, one comes across lots of ex-Mets playing for other teams, and often doing well. Below is a team made up from those players, based on their 2014 statistics. Mostly I put players on the team based on WAR, but I made a few exceptions. For one example, I put Carlos Beltran on the team over Endy Chavez, even though WAR says to do otherwise. Scott Kazmir never actually played for the Mets, but he started his career in the Mets organization, and it felt appropriate to put him on here.
The team doesn’t look too bad. Based on WAR, it’s probably a .500 team or thereabouts. The starting rotation is strong, as is the bullpen. The outfield isn’t bad, and the keystone combo of Reyes and Turner is strong. Catching is a disaster though, as are the infield corners. And depth is a problem: If they had to pull players from those who didn’t make the team, they’d quickly run into sub-replacement players.
On fun side aspect of this project was finding ex-Mets toiling away in the minors. Who knew that Karim Garcia, Victor Diaz, Angel Berroa, Fernando Tatis, and Ruben Gotay were still playing?
Starters:
R. A. Dickey (Blue Jays, 14-13, 3.71 ERA, 215.2 IP, 2.5 WAR)
Scott Kazmir (A’s, 15-9, 3.55 ERA, 190.1 IP, 1.7 WAR)
Colin McHugh (Astros, 11-9, 2.73 ERA, 154.2 IP 4.2 WAR)
Chris Young (Mariners, 12-9, 3.65 ERA 165 IP 1.9 WAR)
Aaron Harang (Braves, 12-12, 3.57 ERA 204.1 IP, 1.9 WAR)
Relievers:
Joe Smith (Angels 15, 74.2 IP, 1.81 ERA, 2.5 WAR)
Darren O’Day (Orioles: 4, 68.2 IP, 1.70 ERA, 2.3 WAR)
Francisco Rodriguez (Brewers 44, 68 IP, 3.04 ERA, 1.5 WAR)
Scott Atchison (Indians: 2, 72 IP, 2.75 ERA, 1.7 WAR)
Latroy Hawkins (Rockies, 23, 54.1 IP, 3.31 ERA, .8 WAR)
Oliver Perez (Diamondbacks, 58.2 IP, 2.91 ERA, .4 WAR)
Dale Thayer (Padres, 65.1 IP, 2.34 ERA, 1 WAR
Catchers:
Josh Thole (Blue Jays: .248/.320/.278, 0HR, -.5 WAR)
John Buck (Mariners, Angels: .225/.289/.281 1 HR, 0 WAR)
Infield:
Ike Davis (Pirates, .235/.343/.378, 10 HR, -.4 WAR)
Justin Turner( Dodgers: .340/.404/.493, 7 HR, 4.3 WAR)
José Reyes (Blue Jays: .287/.328/.398, 9 HR, 3.1 WAR)
Joaquin Arias (Giants, .254/.281/.301, 0 HR, -.4 WAR)
Nick Evans (Diamondbacks: .273/.304/.636, 2 HR, .2 WAR)
Jordany Valdespin (Marlins: .214/.280/.347, 3 HR, -.1 WAR)
Outfield:
Carlos Gomez (Brewers: .284/.356/.477, 23 HR, 4.8 WAR)
Marlon Byrd (Phillies: .264/.312/.445, 25 HR, 2.6 WAR)
Collin Cowgill (Angels: .250/.330/.354, 5 HR 2.2 WAR)
Angel Pagan (Giants: .300/.342/.389, 3 HR, 1.4 WAR)
Carlos Beltran (Yankees: .233/.301/.402, 15 HR, -.2 WAR)
Didn’t make the team:
Starters:
Chris Capuano (Red Sox & Yankees, 3-4, 4.35 ERA, .2 WAR)
Shaun Marcum (minors)
Philip Humber (minors)
Aaron Laffey (minors)
Claudio Vargas (minors)
Chris Schwinden (minors)
Johan Santana (rehabbing)
Relievers:
Blaine Boyer (Padres: 40.1 IP, 3.57 ERA .2 WAR)
J. J. Putz
Ramon Ramirez
Josh Stinson
Heath Bell
Raul Valdes
Greg Burke (minors)
David Aardsma (minors)
Brandon Lyon (minors)
Pedro Feliciano (minors)
Manny Acosta (minors)
Fernando Nieve (minors)
Elvin Ramirez (minors)
Robert Carson (minors)
Catchers:
Mike Nickeas (minors)
Omir Santos (minors)
Infield:
Mike Carp (Red Sox, Rangers: .175/.289/.230, 0 HR, -.8 WAR)
Ronny Cedeno (Phillies: .000/.000/.000, 0 HR, -.2 WAR)
Jeff Keppinger (minors)
Mike Hessman (minors)
Ruben Gotay (minors)
Fernando Tatis (minors)
Angel Berroa (minors)
Outfield:
Endy Chavez
Chris Young
Jeff Francoeur
Mike Baxter
Andres Torres (minors)
Chris Carter (minors)
Victor Diaz (minors)
Karim Garcia (minors)