New York Mets still have pieces to trade in August
The New York Mets have parted ways with a few players through trades in recent weeks, and they could have more moves to make by the end of the month.
Any realistic playoff hopes for the New York Mets sputtered into nonexistence a while ago, but losing all four games of this week’s Subway Series against the Yankees certainly didn’t lift the mood around the club. While gaining some cross-town bragging rights would have been nice, the Mets once again turn their attention toward the future.
The Mets have already made use of the trade market this season in an effort to set themselves up for a quick rebound in 2018 and beyond. They dealt first baseman Lucas Duda to the Rays and reliever Addison Reed to the Red Sox before the non-waiver deadline, and shipped Jay Bruce to Cleveland earlier this month. According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the Mets may not be done moving players.
The club still has a couple appealing veterans that could fetch some value via trade. Heyman highlights outfielder Curtis Granderson as a name to monitor. Dealing Granderson by the end of the month makes a lot of sense for the Mets. The 36-year-old is in the final year of his contract and already cleared waivers along with several of his teammates.
Granderson can still hit home runs; we saw that last night with his ninth-inning grand slam that brought the Mets to within 7-5 in the Subway Series finale at Citi Field. While he has increasingly become an all-or-nothing power bat during the latter stages of his career, Granderson has actually put up great numbers this year since stumbling out of the gate, as Heyman mentions.
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Since May 10, Granderson is slashing .273/.393/.586 with 17 homers and 42 RBI over 80 games. Bruce was understandably the more popular option, but Granderson hasn’t received enough credit for how well he’s performed over the past few months. Any team still looking for an outfielder with some legitimate pop would do well to consider him. He can also play all three outfield positions, which certainly doesn’t hurt.
Heyman points out that the Mets saved $3 million in sending second baseman Neil Walker to the Brewers, meaning they could perhaps be convinced to take on a little of what’s left of Granderson’s $15 million salary.
Infielder Asdrubal Cabrera was also involved in trade rumors before the deadline, and he remains a candidate to be moved in light of top prospect Amed Rosario‘s arrival. Cabrera has been below replacement level this season (-0.9 bWAR), but he’s logged appearances at second and third base in addition to his natural shortstop. He has an $8.5 million team option for next year as well.
Reliever Jerry Blevins might have been another potential chip, but he was claimed and blocked on waivers earlier this month, per Heyman. The left-hander owns a 2.87 ERA and 12.7 K/9 in 37.2 innings this season. With a $7 million option for 2018, he could still be a trade possibility down the road.
Next: Possible August waiver trade candidates
The Mets’ planned return to contention next year will largely depend on whether their starting rotation can avoid another avalanche of injuries. But flipping some of their pieces that were likely on the way out could help further brighten the team’s outlook.