BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 16: The New York Mets look on from ethics's dugout in the sixth inning of a game against ethics's Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on September 16, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Now that the New York Mets have officially acquired Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz, we are left to wonder, what will they do next?
Now that the New York Mets have acquired Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano, we are left to wonder, what will the Amazins’ do next? The club has a few holes left to fill, will they acquire a center fielder? Will they go after a new catcher? Will the team acquire more bullpen help?
These are all questions that will be answered as the offseason continues to roll on. Overall, I would expect the New York Mets to remain aggressive. Brodie Van Wagenen went into the offseason sporting an aggressive attitude, I am excited to see what he has planned for the club. Let’s take a look at a few possibilities and current rumors.
I don’t think that Mets fans want this to actually happen, but trading Noah Syndergaard is an interesting proposition. The Mets’ hard-throwing righty is young, under control and an excellent pitcher. When healthy, Noah Syndergaard has proven that he is one of the best young pitchers in Major League Baseball.
His availability has created numerous rumors as plenty of teams have shown interest. Personally, I don’t think that Brodie Van Wagenen will actually trade Syndergaard, but at the beginning of the offseason, I did not think that Robinson Cano would be our second baseman either.
Van Wagenen has shown that he is a creative thinker, who knows what he will be able to bring back to Queens. Personally, I am a fan of the Kris Bryant/Syndergaard swap that was rumored earlier in the offseason. There has not been news regarding this player’s availability, but what about a swap for Carlos Correa? The Houston Astros need starting pitching and can afford to lose Correa’s production. The Mets may have to dig deeper into their farm system to make a deal happen, but I see a possible fit between the clubs.
In the end, anything is possible. I would be on board with a Syndergaard trade if it were to bring meaningful talent back to Queens. The Mets shouldn’t trade for anything less than Major League ready talent as they are a club looking to improve their Major League roster.
I would be skeptical about accepting a trade built around prospects as the New York Mets have use for Syndergaard’s value NOW. Syndergaard could bring back a package of multiple prospects, but I believe that his value NOW is worth MORE than the future value of prospects. The Mets are trying to compete in the immediate future, winning in 2019 should be their number one priority. The club will have the opportunity to add high-value talent during this summer’s draft as they are set to select 12th overall. In order for a trade to make sense, I believe that the Mets need to find a package which matches or surpasses the value that Syndergaard would bring to their ballclub.
KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 25: Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) pitches in the first inning during a MLB game between the Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Royals on August 25, 2018, at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO. The Royals beat the Indians, 7-1. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
Corey Kluber Trade Rumors
Recent rumors have swirled about the possibility of acquiring Corey Kluber from the Cleveland Indians. I honestly do not think that the Mets will be able to acquire Kluber without including Noah Syndergaard in the deal. The Mets’ farm system was ravaged in the Cano/Diaz deal, it’s reasonable to assume that the club does not have or is not willing to part with the talent necessary to acquire an arm like Kluber. If this is the case, a trade for Kluber would not make sense as Syndergaard is younger, cheaper and controllable.
Now, prior to the Indians trading Yan Gomes, a package including Kluber, Gomes and a prospect, in return for Syndergaard and Brandon Nimmo would have made a lot of sense. Adding Kluber would have been a lateral move for the Mets’ rotation, as Kluber and Syndergaard are both great pitchers, and adding Gomes would have been an improvement over the team’s current catchers. Sadly, this is no longer a possibility as Gomes is now a member of the Washington Nationals.
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 14: Martin Maldonado #15 of the Houston Astros jogs out to the bullpen prior to Game 2 of the ALCS against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Sunday, October 14, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
Catching Upgrades
Since we were discussing Yan Gomes, let’s bring the conversation to catching possibilities. The Mets will inevitably acquire a catcher at some point during the offseason, the question is, who?
Yan Gomes seemed like an early favorite, but a deal never materialized. I don’t think that the Mets will part with the prospects necessary to acquire J.T. Realmuto, could they sign a new backstop?
You can cross Wilson Ramos off the list of possible upgrades. According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the New York Mets are leery of Ramos due to his defense and injury history. The club seems primed to pursue a catcher who can play defense and is a plus pitch framer, aspects that their catchers have lacked in recent seasons.
Martin Maldonado seems like the logical fit for the Amazins’. While there are better options on the market, Maldonado has shown that he can provide teams with a little bit of everything. The righty has been a good defender and has also been a respectable hitter. Signing Maldonado may be a better option than breaking the bank on a player like Ramos or Yasmani Grandal.
Next. Evaluating prospects in Mets/Mariners deal. dark
This offseason has already been full of rumors about the New York Mets. I fully expect many more to swirl. Brodie Van Wagenen has already done a lot to improve the 2019 roster, but there is still work to be done. We will begin to see more action as the Hot Stove continues to warm.
