Mike's Mets - Potential Trade Chips

 

By Mike Steffanos September 23, 2020

Joel Sherman had an interesting piece in the New York Post yesterday about Pete Alonso and Dominic Smith. Sherman asked eight sources from other NL East teams which one of the two that they would take if given the choice. Smith came out a slight favor in the informal poll.

I've been thinking about this topic myself lately. If Steve Cohen wants his Mets to truly contend next season, they're probably going to need more players than they are going to be able to obtain strictly through free agency. It's likely that whoever is handling the GM duties this winter is going to need to consider trades, too. The Mets aren't all that deep in quality prospects, and it really wouldn't be smart at all for the medium and long term to empty the farm system. Making some trades from the Major League roster would seem a likely option, and there is a bit of a surplus.

The Mets used to possess an overabundance of pitching, but I think we can all agree that ship sailed long ago. Candidates for a trade would come from the position players. If I was the GM, Smith and Alonso would definitely be on the trade chip list. Others would be Amed Rosario, J.D. Davis and Brandon Nimmo. I'd probably also look to gauge interest in Robinson Cano coming off a bounce-back season, even if it seems unlikely that anyone would offer much for a a guy going into his age 38 season and under contract through 2023. Still, if I could get something of value back I'd have to consider it.

Of the group above, any trade using Alonso or Rosario would decidedly be selling low. Davis has also had a disappointing season overall. You have to be careful about reading too much good or bad into anyone's stats this season, keeping in mind 60 games is a mere fraction of a normal season. Still, teams are going to look at Alonso's struggles and are unlikely to offer top dollar. For Rosario, I honestly wonder if anyone would offer any value in return.

I think the Mets are going to need a real centerfielder next season. Nimmo simply can't play that position well enough, and their outfield defense suffered. Should they be able to acquire an everyday CF, Nimmo would move to LF. If you keep Nimmo, then LF is no longer available for guys like Jeff McNeil, Smith or Davis. Davis could play 3B next year, but McNeil didn't look good there at all this season. McNeil can play 2B when Cano sits or DHs, but you're probably going to want to have LF as an option for him, also. That seems to make Nimmo odd man out, even if you traded Smith or Alonso.

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