The 2018-19 AAOP: The Champions

The 2018-19 Amazin’ Avenue Offseason Plan Contest is over, and the community has selected the winners. We had 17 entries this year, which was pruned down to five finalists by a panel of Amazin’ Avenue staff members. A poll for these five were presented on Tuesday of last week, and voting closed last evening. Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to everyone who took the time and effort to submit an AAOP!

First Place (66 votes): Let’s Not Overthink Things Now by MetsKnicksGmen

MetsKnicksGmen put together a solid offseason plan, mixing in enough cultural references and Jose Reyes troll-signings to overcome a lack of PAINTZ. A trade for Kevin Pillar and signing Yasmani Grandal filled the Mets’ biggest offensive holes, while a plethora of acquisitions in the bullpen reinforced the backend of the Mets’ pitching staff. The end result was a solid team that kept all our favorites on the roster, and the community carried this AAOP to a runaway first place finish.

Prize: Shea Stadium 18” x 24” blueprint (unframed)

Second Place (33 votes): The Amazon Mets by The Shake Shack Line

Seizing on Amazon’s recent decision to open a new headquarters in Long Island City, The Shake Shack Line came up with a fun Amazon cart theme for his AAOP, and coupled that theme with good PAINTZ and a great Brodie Bunch plan. This plan managed to extend both Jacob deGrom and Zack Wheeler, while also bolstering the bullpen and bringing in Yasmani Grandal. Most boldly, The Amazon Mets traded Noah Syndergaard and Todd Frazier to the Cubs for Kris Bryant, a return that many of us can probably get behind. Another solid result, and some creative solutions to the teams’ problems.

Prize: Bartolo Colon’s first home run 18” x 24” print

Third Place (30 votes): Wilpoholics Anonymous by ba-5

Propelled by a late surge in votes, ba-5’s entry pulled ahead in the final hours to claim third place. Working with just the right touch of dark humor, this AAOP outlined a plan for all of us to get unhooked from the Wilpon’s nonsense. The final result was benefited by what are probably light packages for J.T. Realmuto and Jake Marisnick, but similarly exciting acquisitions of Hunter Renfroe, Patrick Corbin, and Jeurys Familia were much more reasonable, and the end-product is a team that has a chance at the division crown.

Prize: Noah Syndergaard Funko