Picture from before the Mets picked Crow 6th overall.
"Who's # 1? Who's # 1? Who's # 1?"
Well, the answer to that is simple: Pete Crow Armstrong.
Baseball America has the Crow as the # 1 Cubs prospect.
Why? Great CF...fast...fine, fine hitter.
You know him, he's the guy we traded in 2021 for Williams the pitcher (nice 2022, but now a Nat) and Javy the Baez (we barely knew ya).
Everyone keeps telling me that the Mets (especially if they had gotten a Correa, but even without) have an over-abundance of infielders and a thin outfield. Nimmo, an aging Marte, a Canha that will be gone after 2023, most likely, and an Alex Ramirez who is likely not going to be really ready until 2025.
And the Mets' prospect pipeline is infielder-heavy, OF Lite.
So why not trade with the Cubs to get the Crow to fly back east to NY?
I would propose we give up Ronny Mauricio and Mark Vientos for the Crow.
Why might the Cubs do it?
Their park is VERY conducive to power hitters, and both Vientos and Mauricio are power hitters. I think those two would mash tons of HRs in Wrigley.
So, the question for you is three-fold:
1) Might the Cubs be interested in trading Crow at all?
2) Might the Mets be interested in getting Crow back?
3) How much exactly would the Mets have to give up to get Crow back? Might it take Mauricio and Parada instead? Would you do that?
And, I guess, a 4th question - would YOU want him back?
I would.
Moot point.
ReplyDeleteThe Crow is untouchable
PCA was certainly a prized asset back in the day. I think we gave up a lot in that trade, and it was mostly to try out Baez, who failed to show the character that you want when building the team. [Note for all those guys who think it is a good idea to go after Machado - same issue].
ReplyDeleteI don't think the Cubs would give him back for guys that are not our top prospects. If he is rated #1, then he is still showing the potential he had in the Mets organization.
I think the Mets would be interested, certainly. We are.
I would like to see him back. If we can't get your deal, then we need to train Mauricio in the outfield, because he's not going to be a MLB infielder.
Crow may be a Top Prospect, but he still hasn't tasted AA putching. He could be a star in 2 years, or he could be Kelenic 2.
ReplyDeleteI only trade the guys you mentioned for a proven MLer. If Devers were still available, or the Padres were able to deal Machado (if he'd agree to waive hus opt-out), no one is untouchable in our system.
Not for a Class A star with "great potential".
I would, however, consider a "buy low" deal for Kelenic, giving up lesser prospects such as Lee, Montes deOca, and others not in our Top 10.
When is the last time any team traded a top prospect like a pca for a top prospect like a Parada
ReplyDeleteOkay then. Let's start here as the Crow Flies.
ReplyDeletePete Crow-Armstrong is just 20 years old. He is a centerfielder, not a power bat corner outfielder, as of right now. He has seen limited MiLB action due to age.
We have a really good and experienced Brandon Nimmo in CF already. Marte in right, Nimmo in centerfield, two All-Star caliber players in our outfield.
I am not the world's largest Mark Canha fan. I like his stats (somewhat) for 2022 here with the Mets .266 BA / 13 HR's /.367 OBP / 3 stolen bases / 61 RBI's. But his career numbers are a little bit so-so overall .248 BA / .348 OBP / 102 HR's over an 8 season career / 32 stolen bases, averaging four a season / 355 RBI's over the same 8 seasons. It's good, but it just isn't great nor does it warrant him as the Mets FT starting LF.
So what do the NY Mets really need in 2023 for the left field position?
They need a guy who can defensively cover left field and hit for both a higher average and more homeruns then they got in 2022. In other words here, I would not trade for the Cubs CF Pete Crow-Armstrong. I would instead, keep the "Fabulous Four" of Baty, Mauricio, Vientos, and Alvares intact. The Mets are blessed with two very promising young catchers. This could workout in their favor handsomely. Kevin Parada is the better defensive catcher between he and Francisco Alvares. Both can hit for average and power. Keep both for now for instance purposes.
Bring in David Wright (if willing to) to work with mainly Brett Baty at third, to start him there in 2023. Personally, I would personally convert Mark Vientos to left field in ST game play, and Ronnie Mauricio to the Designated Hitter spot for now. Ronnie is a switch hitter with power. All three (Baty, Vientos, and Mauricio) are batting average and power hitters.
I do currently understand that this idea above does take some getting used to, because of these players ages mainly and lack of MLB stats. But the Mets already have a three outfield insurance plan in place with this in Jeff McNeil and Eduardo Escobar, both have already played some MLB left field.
I would find a Parada for PCA trade fascinating. I’d like to see it.
ReplyDeleteDidn’t you bitch when the Mets didn’t trade Baty,Mauricio or Vientos at the trade deadline? Hindsight is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteNothing is more valuable than a two way catcher and we could have 2 on our hands and I for one am not trading either.
ReplyDeleteCrow would not be ready until late 2023, but he is a Gold Glove caliber CF. Next year, Marte will be aging, and perhaps declining, and Canha is unlikely to be re-upped, and certainly not as a starter. Crow would be great in a 2024 line up.
ReplyDeleteAlvarez is the # 1 prospect in all of baseball for a reason: he is outstanding. I think Parada will be great, Crow will be great, and by 2024, we will need a great CF. Nimmo shifts to left, Marte to right.
And...Crow can be called up in September 2023 as a runner, occasional starter, and awesome defensive CF.
I'd do it. Cubs might too...they have two catchers as their # 15 and # 16 prospects, and I doubt either will be anywhere near as good as Parada.
Don't get me wrong - I love having Parada (he is my # 2 Mets prospect, AHEAD of Baty) - I still would do that Crow deal and other wise covet Parada.
Woodrow, if your point was directed at me, I'd love to see what the kids can do, but Crow is a kid, too. A future All Star kid, to be more precise. So for THAT, I am dealing.
ReplyDeleteKelenic? 4 projecting parties, including Steamers and FanGraphs, have him at around 425 at bats in 2023, 17 HRs, low 50s in RBIs, and .220. Darin Ruf-type @s.
ReplyDeleteThere's no reason Nimmmo can't move to left in 2024 with PCA in CF.
ReplyDeleteYes, there's a VERY good reason. He hasn't got a single AA inning on his resume. I've seen many, many single-A hotshots die on the vine.
DeletePCA a robust .312/.376/.520 with 32 steals last year. Much better than, say, Alex Ramirez, results-wise. I expect more of the same from him in AA and AAA this year.
ReplyDelete