Okay... you knew it was only a matter of time before we asked this question.
Should the Mets trade starting pitcher Steve Matz to the Yankees for third baseman (and experimenting left fielder) Miguel Andujar?
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Considering they both have had health problems and people question their suitability for what they do, it's trading a pitching problem for an offensive problem. Don't we already have Miguel Andujar wearing a jersey that reads JD Davis? It can't hurt but I'm not sure how much it helps.
ReplyDeleteUm, no.
ReplyDeleteI really don't need another bad glove in the lineup.
ReplyDeletePass.
If this was a few years ago, when the Mets lacked hitting, and if we had as much pitching as we have now, I would say yes.
ReplyDeleteAndujar in 2018 as a rookie had 76 XBHs in 149 games and hit nearly .300. He is 5 for 20 with 3 XBHs so far.
But the truth is: we are overstocked on hitters, especially if one assumes Cespedes will be back and that Lowrie might be. No room at the Inn.
Meanwhile, as I outline at 11 AM, pitching this spring is comforting. Why screw with that?
Needs to be more than Andujar, or forget it. There’s hitting everywhere and pitching is in short supply, especially on the Mets. Plus, Andujar is a bad fit. I like the player, but something like Andujar, Frazier and a pitching prospect in the low minors for Matz and Dom Smith makes sense as Frazier is your centerfielder of the future and Andujar is a good hitter With years of control, but again, where does Andujar play?
ReplyDeleteLowrie is past tense and Cespedes is gone in a year, so it keeps your cupboard full. Get rid of Cano, put McNeil at second and either Davis or Andujar at third, Nimmo in left field and Frazier in center. Not bad.
Sorry, the previous comment about expanding the trade was me. I would say a AA pitcher would be acceptable. Not too low in the minors
ReplyDeleteI'm a little surprised to see how one-sided the conversation is in favor of Matz. Ultimately, I wouldn't do the trade because of where we are in the calendar year and because Matz is the only projected left-hander in our rotation. If David Peterson looked ready to be the fifth starter, or if Lugo was an actual contender for the rotation, I'd make this deal in a heartbeat.
ReplyDeleteI know we all have a soft spot for homegrown talent, myself included. The numbers do not lie, however. Matz just isn't that good. What have we seen in his performances since 2016 that makes him worth holding on to? He's the southpaw version of Porcello, except that he's less durable. Like Porcello, Matz generally can't pitch past the sixth inning, which is why they are both doomed to be #4 starters.
Andujar's bat is worth the risk, in my opinion. Reese made a JD Davis comparison earlier and I would agree, except Andujar is younger and has the better bat. (Davis has less service time, which makes him more valuable to a cheap organization ... like the Mets!)
If BVW thought this was a viable deal, he'd be well served to begin seeing where he could move Davis or Andujar in an effort to fill Matz's spot in the rotation before the trade deadline.
Jack, since Matz started his career 11-1, he is 20-35. Many reasons for 20-35, but we can't look at him like he is elite. Although we can hope he figures it out and becomes elite.
ReplyDeleteI like the line in Costner's film Draft Day - when the other guy is desperate, "Fleece him." If we can't fleece someone, let's sit tight.
The answer is "NO"! The Mets got extremely lucky last year, as none of the starters missed more than a start or two. That's not likely to happen again this year (sorry). Matz is a lot better alternative to Peterson (at this point) or anything they could pick up before the trade deadline. I haven't forgotten what it was like having guys like Corey Oswalt, P.J. Conlon and Chris Flexen making spot starts in 2017 and 2018.
ReplyDeleteJack
ReplyDeleteMiss your posts.
Mack - I may be the living embodiment of St. Augustine's theory of divine illumination! Something will come to me soon, I hope.
ReplyDeleteMatz to the Yanks - sure but they need to take Cano and Lowrie as well. Any trade of value has to include one or both. I know, would never happen. Then don't make the trade.
ReplyDeleteTrading Matz for a hitter without a glove makes no.sense. the only trade I would consider is for an elite pitching prospect and either a future answer at CF or cather
ReplyDelete