Reese Kaplan -- Trades to Try to Help Obtain Outfielders

Yesterday we examined the free agent options available to fill the two starting outfield vacancies the Mets now have on their roster.  It is indeed possible they could go with Jeff McNeil in left and Tyrone Taylor in center but those options don’t appear to provide as much offensively that the club needs to become more competitive in the chase for the pennant.  Assuming Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger are too expensive while Harrison Bader hits that offensive middle ground that doesn’t propel to teams to victory.

The other approach, of course, is to engage in more trades.  It’s a little difficult to figure out who might or might not be available by other teams.  Usually anyone could be pried away for the right price.  Some players have been mentioned in trade rumors not just this off season but also during the 2025 season as well.  Some look interesting while others have a great many red flags which must be considered before executing a swap of someone the other club might actually want to see walk out the locker room door.

A great example of this type of player is the expensive retained center fielder playing in south side of Chicago for the White Sox, Luis Robert, Jr.  Given the record setting bad play by this franchise it was a bit puzzling to see them exercise their $20 million option on the one-time All Star level player who both cannot stay healthy and has not replicated those numbers after signing a high dollar contract.  

In 2025 Robert, Jr. hit just .233 with 14 HRs and 53 RBIs.  The big number for him was 33 SBs and he does play stellar defense.  However, those numbers are not reflective of good value at a price tag of $15 million. Back in 2023 he slugged 38 HRs and drove in 80 while having a healthy and solid year.  The next two years COMBINED he hit 28 HRs and drove in 88 while hitting .223.  Is that worth $20 million per year even with a Gold Glove on his mantle?

A parallel health challenge exists for the Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton.  He’s shown solid offense during his career.  He hit 28 HRs in one season and this past year put together his best ever performance with 35 HRs and 83 RBIs while hitting .254 with 24 SBs and playing his usual Gold Glove caliber defense in center.  

The issue with Buxton is not so much his salary (currently set at $15.1 million per year (plus some performance bonuses possible), but rather his ability to stay on the field.  He began his career back in 2015 and only twice has exceeded 400 ABs in a season.  He also has a no-trade clause that would need to be waived much like Nimmo’s was.  At age 31 with three years of obligation he fits that mid-tier contract length and price, but how much time will Taylor be playing in his place?

A somewhat lesser known and younger option is the Athletics Tyler Soderstrom who moved from playing first base to left field where he functioned at a stellar level defensively while providing solid pop with his bat.  He finished hitting .272 with 25 HRs and 93 RBIs.  

He’s still pre arbitration and making very little money, so any prospective trade partner is going to be coughing up some pretty strong talent to lure him away.  As a left handed hitter he would essentially replace the now departed Brandon Nimmo in the outfield. 

Some folks are purporting that the Padres are looking to reduce payroll despite losing Dylan Cease, Michael King and Luis Arraez to free agency.  One of their very big ticket players who earns near the top of their payroll spectrum is Fernando Tatis, Jr.  He’s moved from infield to outfield and performs commendably out there while providing middle of the order offense.  He’s won a pair of Silver Slugger awards and finished 3rd in the MVP voting in 2023 when he clubbed 47 HRs, drove in 97 and hit .282 while also stealing 25 bases.  He also has a pair of Gold Gloves.  

For his career he’s always well over 20 HRs on average per season as well as approaching 30 SBs per year.  The issue (aside from his previous PED issue) is the magnitude of his deal.  The now 26 year old is going to make $20.7 million next year, $25.7 million the next two years and then it jumps up to $36.7 million for the next six years  Add it up and you’re looking at a commitment of about $291 million for nine years, an average rate of $32.3 per season.  

That’s a lot of change but if you’re really looking to be in it to win it then you’ve got to pay the price.  Of course, giving the Padres nearly $300 million of salary relief would net them back a decent but not great return given the cost involved.  It’s possible they would pay down some of the deal to get out from under but that could increase the quality of players received in return.

The Guardians have enjoyed league-best left field defense from mostly singles hitter Steven Kwan since joining Cleveland in 2022.  He is good for a career average of .281 with double digit home runs and double digit stolen bases.  He’s won a Gold Glove in each of his four seasons in the majors.  At age 27 he is only earning $4.7 million until this year’s deal is negotiated.  If you want to prevent runs without breaking the bank then he would most definitely be someone of interest.

There are many clubs deep in outfielders like the Red Sox who might be willing to part with one or more of them for the right price but until they decide if they are serious about acquiring Kyle Schwarber or Pete Alonso and need to clear out the starting lineup a bit. 

Who do you think the Mets should target in trades?