Former Indians and Rangers general John Hart, an analyst for “MLB Tonight” during the World Series, talks about the moves that got the Red Sox and Cardinals to the Fall Classic, and the ones the Yankees and Mets would have to make to get back there with The Post’s Justin Terranova.
Q: Do you think the Red Sox are built to be among the favorites in the American League for years to come?
A: I do. They are still going to spend money like they did this offseason and they have decisions to make on their own guys, like (Jacoby) Ellsbury. This is a team that has a well-stocked farm system that they can use to fill holes or trade. If Ellsbury leaves then they can try and fill that hole with Jackie Bradley.
Q: Any concerns about the back end of their rotation versus the Cardinals?
A: It will be fascinating to watch Clay Buchholz. I love Buchholz, but he has not been the same guy in this postseason he was the first two months of the season before he got hurt. With Jake Peavy, they made a big trade to get him and now they have to see how he performs. He’s not the same Jake Peavy stuff-wise that he was three-four years ago.
Q: Where has the Cardinals organization separated itself from the pack?
A: They’ve done a good job of when they drafted college guys, where there is not as much protection, getting guys John Jay, Daniel Descalso. They are not perfect, but these guys are baseball players that get taught winning baseball from the second they get into the organization.
Q: With their professed adherence to the luxury-tax threshold and no imminent help from the minor leagues, do you expect the Yankees to take a step back next season?
A: I think the Yankees are going to be aggressive this offseason, get involved in a lot of possibilities. They’ve been hurt by some injuries to key players in their minor leagues and are a little dry with impact-type players and don’t have a lot of depth. But with the right moves I think the Yankees can certainly come back and have a playoff-contending club.
Q: Do you think the Mets will make a significant move this offseason?
A: If they had a healthy (Matt) Harvey to go along with (Zack) Wheeler it might be different, but I think they are a year away. There are some pretty significant holes among the position players. That doesn’t mean they aren’t going to jump out, if they target the right guy, who they think can help next year and down the line.