Mets fans certainly got the news they were waiting to hear –
a blockbuster trade to help improve areas of need on the ballclub. By now everyone is familiar with the folks
needing airplane tickets to change work locations. From the Mets you have the departures of
Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario. That
was a little surprising since there is still an unsettled question regarding 2nd
base and 3rd base. In
addition, they get minor league prospects Josh Wolf and Isaiah Greene. When you give up four players, one of whom
has already shown a positive big league bat, it might seem a lot.
However, when you consider what is coming back from the home
of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, well, maybe it’s not too much of an overpay
if you have informally agreed with shortstop Francisco Lindor to negotiate and
extension and not let him hit free agency.
He’s regarded as the best defensive shortstop in his former American
League and has delivered a WAR rating per year of 5.52 not including the
60-game more-or-less exhibition season in 2020.
That is an amazing performance and if it took two major leaguers and two
minor leaguers to secure Lindor, you could argue that the slight overpay was worth
it.
So the question now is what happens next? If you assume Jeff McNeil is taking the 2nd base position vacated by the Dominican Dabbler in prohibited substances, then who’s on third (and please don’t say “Who’s on first” or “I Don’t Know’s on third”). Right now the fierce battle would appear to be between slugger with a lead glove, J.D. Davis or gloveman extraordinaire with a balsa wood bat, Luis Guillorme. I would think Guillorme is most definitely penciled in as the do-it-all substitute infielder, so J.D. Davis would appear to be the incumbent.
Unless…
Are the Mets still interested in improving the defense at third
base as well by adding one of the speculative trade candidates like Nolan Arenado
or Kris Bryant? There are others out
there who could fit as well, but they’ve already started gutting the pre-Cohen
minor league rosters which were pretty razor thin as it is. It’s possible that potentially unneeded
pitchers like Steven Matz or Jeurys Familia could be on the block, but neither
would seem to net much in return. All
the publicity you’re reading about Matz and James McCann working out together
suggests they are not ready to flush away the lefty hurler just yet. Familia could be on the block if they indeed
add another big arm like Brad Hand or Liam Hendriks.
Of course, the centerfield question still exists. Is the ballclub prepared to go into the season with Dom Smith in left, Brandon Nimmo in center and Michael Conforto in right? It’s a distinct possibility they will try to muddle through another DH-less year that way in the hopes of the 9th hitter becoming reality with a new COB for 2022. However, there’s not been any firm action or inaction on George Springer, Jackie Bradley, Jr. or others who would provide upgraded leather where Juan Lagares once roamed.
On the whole the trade is good as it stands. It would rank as excellent if they indeed can extend Lindor for several more years. However, I do remember the great Mike Hampton acquisition that everyone felt was a terrific move only to see him depart for Colorado. I’d like to be a believer, but I prefer to see signed contracts.
22 comments:
Yesterday was certainly an exciting day for all of us, reminded me of the Piazza trade buzz and hopefully works out as well. I think the Mets still need another SP, RP, CF and 3B to really step into the WS contender status. While Springer has been the name all along, I'm not sure that is Alderson - Porter's first choice. Besides the money, it's going to cost compensation draft picks that I think they are hesitant to give up. Instead continue to wield the financial hammer to look for players other teams are looking to dump for salary reasons. Kyle Seager from Seattle is a name that has popped up at 3B, and Sonny Gray from the Reds is another. Or maybe a Kolten Wong at 2B and move McNeil to 3B. Plenty of RP options and Sandy does like to shop in the discount bin RP market. Yesterday was a great step, takes the pressure off to do something big and gives the Mets a great base for 2021.
Reese, apparently Lindor really likes NY and if you have NY and you're on a top 5 team, why would you want to leave? I think he most likely signs long term.
It will truly be intriguing how they address their remaining moves. They may want to wait a year to break the cap, since it increases in cost when it is exceeded in multiple consecutive seasons. I want this team to have a high 90s win expectation for years to come. It is starting to feel a little like 1985 again.
Jeff, very well said.
Good job Jeff, couldn't agree with you more. While I don't really want them to shop in the bargain bin for a reliever (we have several of those already, Gesselman, Brauch etc), I would love for them to pick up Hand.
I see on most of the various boards fans are asking for Jackie Bradley junior. I really hope they stay away from him. While he is a great defensive center fielder, he just isn't not a good hitter, plus he's another lefty. I they can't get Springer I would opt for a righty defensive replacement for Nimmo. Maybe Marisnick or Kevin Pillar.
I also liked your third base ideas and would love to get Sonny Grey....but only for major league talent.
This is what I think of here. Steve bought a fixer upper. He's done the demo and remodeled the bathrooms and the kitchen along with painting the place and of course a new floor and it's looking great but the outside still needs painting and some landscape work but does he stop here....HELL NO! Where am I going with this ...there's no way he stops here get it done Steve so we can lock and load and fix bayonets and get ready for battle. LGM
Gary, we need a completely peaceful overthrow of the NL East by the Mets in 2021, led by Brigadier General Steve Cohen.
Joe P - on JB Jr - I also fear getting a guy multi-year who might hit .220. If not Springer, I agree with you - Pillar or Marisnick are two to consider.
Tom and Joe . I have to disagree with you on JB Jr.
Bradley, unlike Pillar and Marisnick, would be a starting everyday centerfielder who brings plus plus defensive skills. He could hit low in the lineup even if he does hit .230, he will give occasional power (15+ HRs, 25+ 2B). But they would be paying him to complete the 'defense up the middle' component.
Some final randome musings:
* I am concerned now about infield depth. I think a Jurickson Profar or Kiki Hernandez is now in order
* I would like to see one more low to mid range starting pitcher - perhaps Kluber or Paxton if they believe they are healthy, or Taijuan Walker.
* I also believe that they have a valuable wild card pitcher already on the roster in Steven Matz. Something is just telling me that he will flourish and post a very solid year with McCann behind the plate.
* Bradley, Jr., Walker, Profar and call it a year.
* I am still not convinced that McNeil is the right guy for second base. They need a better defender to complement Lindor. Perhaps McNeil is the guy, but I am not feeling it.
If you look at the 2020 stats of both Lindor and Springer you would notice that Springer was the better player in 2020.
Springer is a player for a position the Mets have a huge hole. If the Mets want him now all they have to do is meet his 150M price and he would be a Mets for the next 6 years or so.
In Lindor's case he is 27 not 31 so he will want a 10 year contract for 250/300M or so.
The Mets could have simply sign Springer, get similar production and save at least 100/150M for the players that will hit free agency in 2021. Conforto, Syndergaard, Stroman and possibly Matz.
A very shortsighted move by the Mets. You make a trade like this when you are one player away from being a contending team. The Mets are not there yet.
Same old Mets, they need a CF, they trade for a shortstop when they had Rosario, Gimenez and Guillorme.
Viper
Viper,
Do you think that Steve Cohen, Sandy Alderson and Jared Porter are not going to improve the CF position when they've improved every other position up the middle so far?
It's probably not going to be Springer. But it might very likely be JBJ. Hopefully, the MLBPA & MLB owners will come to their senses and agree on a DH for the NL this year (with some arbitration re: truncating post-season/playoff schedule as the compromise piece).
Money is the issue with Springer. The Mets are probably not going to go very far over the LT, if at all. They still need to add pieces: i.e., another SP (Kluber or Paxton?); a top-tier RP (Hand?) a utility player who can play IF and OF in a pinch (Kike or Marwin?) and perhaps another backup OFer who can play CF.
That aforementioned is going to take some money. The Mets are presently about $32 Mil under the LT threshold. I doubt that they spend much more than that. Just do the math (after the Lindor and Carrasco signings).....
I also left out JBJ who I they might sign to play CF as well.
All-in-all: isn't this great?!?!?! We've waited a long time to be a competitive functioning franchise.
Both Kluber (if back to snuff) and Hand are probably going to want to come to Flushing given that their compadres (Frankie and Cookie) have headed to Gotham.
The Mets were broken.
They have a long way to go to become real contenders.
They shouldn’t be blocked by the LT.
Jake will not remain an Ace for very long.
They need to go for it now.
I hope they are talking to Tampa about Kevin Kiermaier.
They might like to unload that $11.5 mil contract for the right player.
Could it be the spot for, hold your breath, Dom?
Rick Miller, I hope they don't trade Dom. But they do need more still. But they have also incredibly improved already. I want a 100 win team. Let's do it.
If Seattle will take Familia along with Davis to offset Kyle Seager's salary, I would grab him. It adds about $5 MM to 2021 P/R.
Sign JBJ for CF (adds another $8 MM per traderumors) and possibly platoon him with Drew Ferguson. (You know I am in love with Fergy. Look at his offensive milb stats)
Kluber with a low base, plus incentives, for rotation depth. (LUGO TO THE PEN!)
McGee for the pen. Also Roberto Osuna is Sandy is ok with past domestic violence.
All that keeps us under CBT threshold.
Tom, they ARE improved.
Looks like a 85-87 win team with a shot at the playoffs.
Gotta do more and our billionaire owner/fan can’t let the LT stop him now.
Just last year in the crummy 2020 he made $1.6 billion.
Add that to his bank account and he shouldn’t be intimidated by the LT.
And…does everyone realize Jake will be 33 in June.
The time is now.
Herb, I agree with you on a most of your points . .JBJ for 2 (or 3 if needed) years @ $8 to 9M, another starter (Kluber or Paxton is fine, Walker is even better) and a lefty reliever (either McGee or better yet Hand).
I am not sold on the Seager trade. He has started a downhill slide and has never hit for a great average. He is already 33. I think Davis will give you better offensive numbers and if playing every day, will solidify enough defensively to be OK. I just as soon keep Familia and Davis over Seager and Osuna.
I do think they need a strong utility guy that can play infield well and could be a starter for 3 weeks if needed. JBJ, Profar, Hand, and Walker.
I also like Ferguson a lot based on his MiLB stats.
Smith or Alonso for Saegar and Kelenic.
DiPoto is not going to trade Kelenic unless he is offered another top tier prospect in return. I don't want Seager as he has a big hole in his bat. And I don't want to trade Dom. His upside may be better than Conforto's!!!!
It's not a short-sighted move of the team plans to get Springer and allow payroll to increase to resign those you mentioned....if the players continue to prove their worth.
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