The Morning Report 1.21.2016 | Mets Sign LHRP Antonio Bastardo, Is He Ready for Higher Leverage Work?, Nationals Putting Pressure on Mets for Cespedes

Brian Joura | Mets360- The Mets have signed free agent reliever Antonio Bastardo to a two-year, $12 million deal. Bastardo had a very nice year in 2015, with a 2.98 ERA and a 1.134 WHIP. While he only compiled 57.1 IP in 66 Games, he’s not a LOOGY. He’s done quite well lifetime against RHB, with a .640 OPS allowed in 839 PA, which makes you wonder why his managers haven’t let him face more righties. A few things that we should be aware of in regards to Bastardo: 1. While he had a very nice year last year, he was not used in high leverage situations. 2. Bastardo has very high strikeout rates. He also has very high walk rates. 3. The last three years, Bastardo has done a good job in suppressing home runs. 4. Only once in his career has Bastardo recorded a 1.0 fWAR

(Chris Soto: Bastardo is an excellent addition for the Mets and gives Terry Collins multiple options and depth within his bullpen. In the 7th and 8th innings, he can use Blevins against the tough lefties, Robles against the tough righties, and use Addison Reed and Antonio Bastardo to fill the gaps in between. The move also seemingly bumps Sean Gilmartin out of the bullpen and gives the club an option to send him back to AAA to stretch out as a SP for 2016. Yes, Bastardo was mostly used in low leverage situations by the Pirates last season, but he has been a capable arm in the medium and high leverage situations as well during his time with the Phillies from 2011 - 2013.)



Bredan Kuty | NJ Advance Media- The Mets remain in talks with Cespedes, according to GM Sandy Alderson. That was reportedly echoed by owner Fred Wilpon at the Owners Meetings in Florida on Wednesday. The Mets are willing to give Cespedes a three-year, $60-million deal, according to a New York Post report. [Meanwhile], Washington has made an offer to Cespedes, but it's not worth as much money as slugger Justin Upton got from Detroit. Cespedes landing with the Nationals might be a small PR disaster for the Mets, who might end up roundly criticized for not just failing to retain its star, but for letting him go to its biggest National League East competitor.


(Chris Soto: When the Nationals interest was first reported, I figured that it was just a bluff tactic by Roc Nation to get the Mets to start being serious about their interest in re-signing him. However, now that there is a confirmed offer on the table....the Mets really need to get moving. If the club were to not re-sign him and he goes back to the American League.....that's fine. However, as good as their pitching is, the Mets CANNOT afford to let Cespedes end up in Washington and have to face him at the plate 60-80 times a season. Such a move would severely harm the Mets chances at repeating 2016 as the NL East champs.)

HOT STOVE REPORT (courtesy of mlbtraderumor.com)

• Nothing new.....Everything is circling around Yeonis Cespedes.

The Morning Report 1.20.2016 | Antonio Bastardo's Market Heating Back Up, A Prospect Trade Worth Considering, Marlins Out of Cespedes Sweepstakes

Robert Murray | Baseball Essential- The market for free agent reliever Antonio Bastardo is beginning to heat up, with the Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets all interested. Bastardo’s market has been somewhat quiet this offseason, but, he very well could land the three-year deal he seeks. It’s possible it could be for $5-6 million per season. Bastardo, 30, was very solid in his first full season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, going 4-1 with a 2.98 ERA and a 64/26 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

(Chris Soto: $5-6M per season may still be a little too rich for the Mets blood. While Bastardo does not have severe splits, which makes him a good candidate for the set-up role, the club is already paying Addison Reed $5.3M to be their set-up man. In addition, the club already has 3 other lefties projected to be in the bullpen with Josh Edgin, Jerry Blevins, and Sean Gilmartin. In fact, if used correctly, the compination of Blevins vs lefties and Robles vs righties could probably match the statistical performance that Bastardo would bring.)



J.J. Cooper | Baseball America- Prospect-for-prospect, challenge trades rarely happen. More often prospects are traded for big leaguers, but that doesn’t mean we can’t sketch out of some realistic trade. Here [is one] possibilty: Red Sox trade 2B Yoan Moncada to Mets for LHP Steven Matz and SS Luis Carpio. Moncada is one of the best position prospects in baseball. Matz is among the best pitching prospects in the game. And a swap would help fill big needs for both. Moncada could be the Mets long-term answer at second base (where Neil Walker has been acquired as a short-term replacement) but his versatility means he also could become a rangy, explosive center fielder.


(Chris Soto: Ohhh.....man.....that is enticing. At this very moment...I would have to say no to this potential swap. However, if you could guarantee me that Zack Wheeler will be back 100% healthy, I think I may actually be willing to pull the trigger on this one. Moncada is a FREAK athlete capable of becoming a 15 HR/60 SB talent that would wreck HAVOK at the top of anyone's starting line-up. There's also no doubt in my mind that he could add even more power and maybe settle into an Andrew McCutcheon style 20 HR/30 SB guy. He's that good.....)

HOT STOVE REPORT (courtesy of mlbtraderumor.com)

• Marlins President of Baseball Ops told Ken Rosenthal, "we have no interest in signing Cespedes" due to their already "crowded OF." Currently the club has Marcell Ozuna in LF, Christian Yelich in CF, and Giancarlo Stanton in RF.
• In an interview with MLB Network, Rockies’ GM Jeff Bridich, indicated that the team is not pushing to trade one of his 4 MLB starting caliber OF's. "I know it’s popular to expect a trade, but it’s tough to put odds on it right now. The last thing I want to do is apologize for bringing more talent into this organization. Adding another professional, talented young outfielder is overall a good thing. Having too much depth is a good thing.”