Reese Kaplan -- A Never-Mentioned Trade Chip

When people think what the Mets can trade to fortify their roster, the conversation naturally begins with starting pitching.  After all, they have five young starters who have demonstrated varying degrees of above average competence already in the big league.  Then you have the latecomers Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman who certainly opened up some eyes.

After that you have the young and enigmatic Michael Conforto who is still a chip others would likely want to have.  Then there are the two crown offensive jewels of the farm system – Amed Rosario and Dom Smith. 

Further down the chain you have the standout season of Thomas Szapucki who, in his brief minor league career, has produced absolutely eye popping numbers (including striking out nearly 15 batters per nine innings pitched). 

However, many clubs want major league ready talent that’s pretty much a sure thing that can be penciled into the lineup with a reasonable expectation of what they will get.  Contending clubs in particular often take this route where that one extra veteran piece could put them over the top.  Now we’re not talking a much ballyhooed Jay Bruce trade or even Lucas Duda (warts and all), or a wish-upon-a-star Curtis Granderson move.  No, there’s a name almost never mentioned that is an extremely valuable commodity that the Mets could move in the right package.

When Sandy Alderson inked Asdrubal Cabrera to a two year deal worth $16.5 million it was greeted with neither enthusiasm nor derision.  There were many who applauded the move given the horrific memories of Terry Collins’ infatuation with Ruben Tejada, or the painful memories of Wilmer Flores trying to man shortstop.  Cabrera had a reputation as an offense-first shortstop so it puzzled some that he was chosen to shore up a defensive liability, but he surprised many by rebounding with a highly competent showing on the left side of the diamond.

What many were not expecting was the offensive rebound that approached his standout season of 2011 when he hit 25 HRs and drove in 92.  This past year in 10 fewer games he hit 23 home runs and drove in 62 (while hitting in non-RBI spots in the order) while hitting .280.  He’s signed for another year for $8.25 million and there’s an option for a third year as well at $8.5 million (or a $2 million buyout).

Here’s where it gets interesting.  Just as those attributes are very attractive to the Mets, so too would they be appealing on the open market. 

But wait!  We finally have a guy playing a competent shortstop with great offensive production and you want to dump him?  WHY??????????????????????

The answer comes in two parts.  The first part is named Jose Reyes and the second is named Amed Rosario.  Jose Reyes is renewed at major league minimum for this year.  After this year he’s out on the open market once again.  He is a competent bridge to the future.  Rosario should be playing this coming season in AAA at shortstop.  In 2018 he should be handed the job in the major leagues. 

Rather than trading off the young Rosario and his cost controlled years, would the Mets be better served in this scenario by selling high (higher than he’s like every going to be) on Cabrera?

I can hear everyone already say, but…but what about David Wright’s health?  What about Neil Walker turning down the QO?

Well, there you have Wilmer Flores, TJ Rivera and Gavin Cecchini as backups (with Ty Kelly and Matt Reynolds behind them).  Maybe they’ll even exhibit some intelligence this off-season and sign Kelly Johnson as well. 

Since it costs nothing to speculate, imagine what you could land in trade with a package centered around Asdrubal Cabrera?  Could he bring back a front line catcher?  Could he bring back a top tier 2^nd center fielder?  Could he bring that 8^th inning setup guy who will be needed if Addison Reed must become the closer?