Reese Kaplan -- Who to Look to Obtain Via Trade

One of the hardest things to predict in baseball is the desire by another team to trade one of its star players when he could theoretically help them win ballgames. 

Obviously anyone can look at the Angels and see guys like Mike Trout and Shoehei Ohtani who any team would gladly create space to have them suit up and become regulars in the middle of their lineup. That kind of roster transaction takes no creativity (other than slipping hallucinogenic drugs into the front office staff of the Los Angeles Angels).

No, the tougher job is finding someone who is valued but perhaps coming off a bad season or an overpriced contract or lingering injuries that the home team has felt is no longer a core piece of their roster going forward. Therein lies the challenge. First you must identify such players and then you must figure out how to obtain them without overpaying in trade assets.

Without a recourse on the whole Carlos Correa situation, the fact is that the Mets could use some additional offense to help propel them forward from the results of 2022. While most folks focus almost exclusively on home run power, the Mets also lack base running speed and could use some defensive help for late innings and starting assignments when otherwise offensively helpful players need a break. Towards that end, lets look at a few names worth considering.

The Los Angeles Dodgers seemed to have plucked utility player Max Muncy out of thin air when he arrived at Dodger Stadium. He's had some terrific seasons, including three seasons of 35 or more home runs. The big lefty slugger has played 1st, 2nd, 3rd and both corner outfield positions plus this past season DH. 

He hit a woeful .196 this past year and a less-than-stellar 21 HRs. He's being paid $13.5 million for 2023 and if he meets incentives, he will have a $14 million option for 2024. It might be a time the Dodgers would take calls on the man thinking other clubs are counting on bounce back at a rather modest salary level.

While considering the left coast, there's a true star sewn up for major money playing down the road in San Diego, the son of former Mets player Fernando Tatis. The Junior version has the ability to make any GM and manager drool with his potential, but he's been nailed for PEDs which calls into question how much of his talent is truly natural. 

The cost to get him would require a major sacrifice of player personnel and a commitment to pay him $36 million per season for many years. However, for a guy who hit 42 HRs in 2021, he might be worth it and could slot in at DH or 3B. San Diego might be willing to listen given the embarrassment his PED usage has caused.

An oft injured player who suits up for Minnesota is outfielder Byron Buxton. Over his past two seasons combined he has played an aggregate of one year's worth of ball. In that time he's delivered 47 HRs and 86 RBIs. The Twins are likely a bit frustrated he is not a 150-game player and might be interested in a conversation if the offer was good enough. 

His $15+ million salary (plus up to $11 million per year in incentives) over the next six years might scare the Twins a bit more now that they reacquired the elusive infielder who didn't sign his Mets contract.

The Chicago Cubs have never really settled in for the proper role for Ian Happ. Is he an outfielder? Is he a DH? The fact is that the Mets could use help at either one of these spots and Happ's capabilities would look very appealing at Citifield. He's played all three outfield positions (and earned a Gold Glove last year) as well as DH. 

He's on tap to earn under $10 million this coming year and has one more eligible season before hitting free agent eligibility. The low salary level and strong defense would be appealing to most every team, but the Cubs might want to trade high on that while fortifying their developing system.

A player who was once considered one of the true stars of the National League is Christian Yelich. The last few seasons have not been good for Milwaukee's former finest and the Brewers are obligated to pay him $26 million per year through 2028 with an option or $6.5 million buyout for 2029. In a salary dump kind of deal, it likely would take a few jewels from the minor leagues but not the king's ransom it would have taken in his MVP caliber seasons.

The Baltimore Orioles have a solid talent in outfielder Cedric Mullins. For a small market team when it comes to payroll, it might be difficult to pry him away, but it's worth a phone call. He's a year removed from a 30-30 season, but 2022 was a step downward with just 16 HRs though the 34 steals exceeded what he did the previous season. 

He's 27 years old, plays center for the Orioles and likely could slot there or in left beside Brandon Nimmo if the price was right. Speed and power could both be addressed with a single player not named Trout.

Finally, there is a rookie last season who was not expected to do especially well, but he finished his first campaign in the majors at .298 after hitting a similar .301 during his minor league career. You may not know the name Steven Kwan, but he played stellar defense in all three outfield positions, stole 19 bases and would likely be a capable 3rd or 4th outfielder to add to the Mets roster. 

Granted, after showing well in a rookie season it's sometimes hard to get the controlling ballclub to consider moving the man, but his lack of home run power and diminutive size might make them feel better to deal while his value is high than to expect him to flourish in Cleveland. Defense and speed in a package is more appealing than trotting out others we have seen in the past.

Who the Mets would be giving up in the deals is very much open to question and whether or not any are suitable to join the club is also debatable. However, it is wise to find hidden gems like the Mets did last year with Chris Bassitt than to overpay for folks past their prime like Robinson Cano.