MLB trade rumors: NYDN’s Andy Martino discusses Yankees and Mets
Appearing (via phone) on WFAN’s Boomer and Carton this morning (Mark Malusis was filling in for the duo), Andy Martino of the New York Daily News discussed some MLB trade rumor surrounding the Yankees and Mets. Martino added other interesting tidbits about those teams, but most of the interview revolved around the trade deadline plans for both teams.
On the Yankees…
– Martino noted that the recent string of moves by GM Brian Cashman will likely be the mode for the next few days, leading up to July 31. Add bodies, but not yet in the mode to pull off that blockbuster deal.
The biggest of the recent moves obviously appears to be Chase Headley (pictured above), who Cashman has admitted is nothing more than a rental. In acquiring Jeff Francis, Brandon McCarthy (who has pitched well for the Bronx Bombers), and Chris Capuano, the Yankees are clearly simply trying to find guys to help with the starting rotation and potentially to their bullpen.
– Added to the mix was the current injury status of Masahiro Tanaka, who is still rehabbing from a partial tear in his UCL. Should the rehab not work (and as we’ve seen, odds are that it won’t), the dreaded Tommy John surgery will be necessary. This leaves Cashman and the Yankees in an undesirable position of considering how to win in 2015 without Tanaka’s services.
– On that blockbuster deal front, the name Cliff Lee was mentioned. Martino believes it is entirely possible that Lee could be dealt after the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. He added that Lee would surely pass through waivers given his contract (Lee’s owed at least $37.5M plus his residual salary for this year), as well as his recent injury and performance.
And with the year’s hot topic of Tommy John surgery, that was also thrown into the Lee discussion.
On the Mets…
Jul 23, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; New York Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon (40) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the second inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
– The trade market for Bartolo Colon could be determined by a trio of other starting pitchers: the aforementioned Lee, Ian Kennedy of the San Diego Padres, and David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays. If any team that desires to add depth to their rotation (Martino mentions the Seattle Mariners as an example) should miss out in acquiring any from that trio, the Mets could dangle Colon in their direction.
When asked if Colon would be a member of the Mets come 2015, Martino stated he didn’t think so.
– As a bit of an aside, the topic of the New York Post’s Joel Sherman penning a column revealing the Mets interest in Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez was brought to the conversation. As some are aware, the Mets have been interested in the Rockies tandem for a period of time. Martino sees risks involved.
1. Would Mets GM Sandy Alderson be willing to dispatch some of the quality young arms he’s stockpiled for a deal of this type? Hard to imagine that would be the case. If anything, that stockpile would make dealing Colon far more desirable.
2. There’s also the issue of the home/away splits for the duo.
Tulo (9 seasons including 2014)
home (481 games, 2053 PA): .323/.397/.565, 99 HR, 349 RBI, 346 R
away (480 games, 2011 PA): .274/.349/.469, 77 HR, 255 RBI, 268 R
CarGo (7 seasons, including 1 year with OAK)
home (378 games, 1574 PA): .329/.387/.599, 80 HR, 291 RBI, 297 R
away (373 games, 1498 PA): .260/.316/.442, 54 HR, 162 RBI, 181 R
at Coors (338 games, 1421 PA): .339/.401/.623, 77 HR, 273 RBI, 283 R
Anyone could see that the greater concern of these splits would be in the direction of CarGo. Tulo wouldn’t produce the numbers at Citi Field he has at Coors (who would?), but he would be better than what the Mets currently have.
CarGo’s splits show a far greater erosion away from Coors than those of Tulowitzki. And that one year he was with Oakland covers a total of 85 games (40 at home, 45 on the road).
3. There’s also the injury and durability concerns for both. I don’t believe I need to go into much detail on this, but…
Tulowitzki sits on the DL for the second time this season (hip flexor). He’s played in more than 150 twice (155 in ‘07 and 151 in ‘09). He missed the majority of the 2012 season, playing in only 47 games. He’s played more than 140 games on only one other occasion (143 in ‘11).
Gonzalez has never played more than 145 games – his mark from 2010 – in any one season. The next highest number of games played in a season is 135 (2012). He’s played in 60 this season.
And do read Sherman’s column.
(To listen to the entire interview, click here)