With the new regime’s vision for the team and the influx of youthful talent, Darryl Strawberry believes the Mets have a “bright future.”
From his playing days, the franchise’s all-time home run leader has found resonance in the idea of developing talent through the farm system and continuously replenishing it.
However, Strawberry is also not going to give up on this season.
At Clover Park, where he is working as a guest instructor for the Mets this week, Strawberry stated on Tuesday, “I wouldn’t call it a complete reset, they are still good enough to win right now.”
Strawberry was a part of the wave that arrived to help the Mets win their final World Series triumph in 1986. The team will retire Strawberry’s No. 18 on June 1.
Dwight Gooden, Mookie Wilson, Lenny Dykstra, Wally Backman, and Kevin Mitchell were among the other members of the group that emerged from inside.
The Mets are placing a lot of money on young prospects like Luisangel Acuña Jr., Drew Gilbert, and Jett Williams. Meanwhile, starting pitchers like Christian Scott, Mike Vasil, and Dominic Hamel could be in the running for positions later this season or next.
The last World Series that the Mets won was designed by Frank Cashen.
David Stearns, president of baseball operations, is currently searching for the ideal combination to break the championship drought.
“[Stearns] is doing exactly what Frank did,” Strawberry said. “When I look at some of the things he’s done this offseason and the way most want to criticize him, saying he’s not doing a good job … he’s doing a good job because he is looking at the future of the New York Mets. He’s looking at the talent and he’s looking at the current team, what the needs are — which is good because your owner has a lot of money but he’s not throwing it away.”
After battling a cocaine addiction, Strawberry eventually used free agency to leave the Mets.
He hopes that after this season, Pete Alonso won’t stick to the same plan. Strawberry claims that Alonso’s and his circumstances are very different from one another.
“The opportunity to stay in New York will be open to him,” Strawberry said. “The opportunity was not there for me. I think the front office and people here do like [Alonso] and if you have a big year now they have got to open up their hands to you. … When I got to that point they told me I had to have a big season. I had a big season and then we didn’t talk.”
Strawberry was asked what message he has for the players this week. Strawberry is a traveling Christian minister who travels more than 250 days a year.
“I don’t really have one,” Strawberry said. “I just need a break, so I am taking a break from working and to come down and put a uniform on. I wore this uniform for a long time and had great success with this uniform. It’s fun to come down here and see the guys.”