1/3/20

OPEN THREAD - Blockbuster Trade



NY Mets Weekly Blog asked:

     Thoughts and payroll on Mets making blockbuster trade for BOTH Arenado and Blackman.

Package would include Smith, Nimmo, Lowrie, Peterson and 2 prospects.

What does that do to the payroll and would it make Mets better and and what more would it take to close this deal?

12 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

No on Blackmon. His hitting in Colorado in 2019 was insane, his hitting elsewhere quite mundane. Ya can look it up. And he turns 34 in July.

Bob Gregory said...

If it were my choice, I would only spend trade resources on a centerfielder like Betts.

Tom Brennan said...

With ANY Rockies player, you have to first look at their splits before you leap for them.

In his home career, Arenado hits like a Hall of Famer....324/.380/.615. In normal altitude everywhere else? Just .265/.323/.476.

In his home career, Blackmon hits like a Hall of Famer....349/.407/.590. In normal altitude everywhere else? Just .261/.313/.430.

A huge difference for both. Last I checked, Citifield is "normal altitude."


Jeff McNeil in "away" games for his career? A far superior .311/.369/.524. Which tells me: neither Arenado not Blackmon are as good as Jeff McNeil.

Pete Alonso would hit 65 HRs a year if he were a Rockie.
Let the buyer beware. Steer clear.

Hobie said...

The Metsblog "big trade" column is why I don't read that site anymore.

Reese Kaplan said...

Many players flourished in Denver who didn't do nearly as well elsewhere. Checking their performance at the other 81 games elsewhere is critical. I'm not a big fan of building with players approaching athletic social security, though I could see Colorado forcing Blackmon on anyone after the more highly valued Arenado, much like we had to take Derek Bell to get Mike Hampton.

Tom Brennan said...

Reese, when I look at the huge drop in Arenado/Blackmon home/away splits, I prefer what we have right now.

Nimmo could give us .400+ OBP, and Mcneil at 3B SHOULD outhit Arenado.

The only way i would entertain a trade involving prospects is if management truly feels, for instance, that a guy like Baty has some hitting flaw that will make him a substandard MLB hitter. Otherwise, let's keep our REAL prospects.

For instance, looking a year out, maybe Gimenez or Mauricio are far more MLB ready than right now, and Rosario is better, too - make a trade then, when you'd get more for one or two of them.

Mike Freire said...

Agree with Tom......not worth it when you factor in the Coors' Field effect, plus the cost of obtaining them AND the
monster salaries.

Go to work with the current roster and save your pennies for the 2020-21 offseason where you can get a player or two
for "just cash" that will plug an actual void on the roster (CF, C, etc).

Mack Ade said...

Bob

Wecome back!

Mac said...

Have to agree with pretty much all of this. Only, possibly available, player worth trading anything for is Betts. Even then I would not offer much, since he will be FA after season. Mets should stick with what they currently have on roster. Nothing available that makes any real sense.

Tom Brennan said...

Mac, good points.

Betts would be interesting indeed, if as you indicate he could be had at the right price.

We do, however, still need a viable # 2 catcher, which should not be a heavy lift, and once we do that, I am comfortable. Smith eventually will have to go, but deal shrewdly on him.

He will be solid in 2020, could start for some teams, and is cheap.

Mac said...

Yep Tom. I was thinking the backup C, would have to be considerably better than Nido. Not sure spending a ton of $$ on that position is worthwhile. Sanchez is also close to majors. Might be worth sticking with Nido short-term and see if Sanchez can be that player over the coming 6m or so. If not, make a trade or wait until next off-season.

As for Dom, he should only be dealt for the right piece. Maybe at deadline, after things shakeout a little.

Tom Brennan said...

Mac, I still for now see Sanchez as a superior defensive 3rd catcher, a luxury no team recently could afford - until 2020 and its rule changes.