1/14/20

Tony Plate - The Mets Should Make More Moves

                                                


I’m bewildered as to why the Mets have not made more moves at this point. 

In my opinion their biggest need is a catcher.  I think they should attempt to make a trade with the Cubs for Wilson Contreras. He will remain under team control through 2022. 

Since he had previous success behind the plate for the Cubs, he will continue to be a sought-after commodity well into the 2020 season. He was voted to the All-Star game for the second straight season while posting a .272/.355/.533 slash line with a career-high 24 home runs.

Three years of control of a very good young catcher is really valuable and the Cubs expect be able to acquire a significant trade package. Contreras, one of the most productive backstops in the game, in addition to being a fine defensive catcher, would be able to help the Mets. 

He would be a big upgrade over what the Mets have now at the catcher position. Contreras can be that player that can help get the Mets over the hurdle and capture the division title. They have a glut of infield prospects and one of them can be part of a package along with a starting pitcher to try to satisfy the Cubs.


I’ve heard and seen comments about how the Mets should not trade certain prospects - I disagree, because the media has a habit to overrate the Mets' prospects. 

For example, the prospects that the Mets traded recently for Diaz and Stroman have not made that much of an impact except for Jarred Kelenic, but as I said so many times when you trade for a relief pitcher that had 57 saves, you have to give up that type of prospect.


The NY media and many Met fans were ready to run Diaz out of town last season.  Josh Hader is still available and even though I’ve heard comments that the Mets should not trade for him, because some feel that he would be volatile, which is ridiculous, the Mets should take a chance on him. Why not attempt to trade Diaz and others to the Brewers for Hader?

There were several relief pitchers that were icons in NY that both the Mets and Yankees traded for and signed that were nowhere near being volatile, such as Franco, Lyle, and Gossage, who are three of the all-time greats. The Yankees are interested in Hader; therefore you know that Hader is the real deal.


I’ve also heard comments that the Mets should not trade for Hader and wait for Steve Cohen to be in full control of the team, if that does happen, to pursue free agents. I disagree with that, because as the great George Allen used to say, “The future is now.” 

The Mets should go for it now since the team is built to win now.





7 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

Tony, they need a bona fide back up catcher - bad.

I have an article in a few days on that subject.

Reese Kaplan said...

I agree that the Mets are not yet ready for the post-season with the glaring holes on their roster. I surmised recently that they were reluctant to spend not just for being tightwads but because they were looking for an investor who would look askance at a top tier payroll.

Tony said...

The Mets should have unloaded Lowie's contract to shed salary by now.

Mack Ade said...

I agree Tony, and I expect this not to happen once Cohen takes over the team.

Let me ask you the same question I asked a reader this morning on another post.

Catcher Francisco Alvarez looks like the real deal but he is 3-4 years away.

J.T. Realmuto is a free agent after this season but it will take more than a 4 year deal to get him.

Which way would you go here?

Mike Freire said...

I would love to see them bring in a young catcher who will only be counted on to start 30 or 40 games, but provide depth and defense when he is not starting. Plus, if you get the right guy, he could be the starter in 2021 when Ramos leaves.

John From Albany said...

Tony, I think the team has a number of really good young position players like McNeil, Alonso, Rosario, JD Davis, Conforto, and pitchers like Thor and deGrom. However, they are terrible defensively, do not steal or manufacture runs, and play poor fundamental baseball. These are the type of players they need to bring in to help the pitching staff. Don't see that happening.

Tony said...

Mack, I would choose to sign JT, but i don't foresee the Phils letting him leave, as for Alvarez he may be the real deal, but like any other prospect nobody knows how he will pan out.


John, hopefully they will find some defensive help