While most of the East Coast was sleeping, the New York Mets sent their replacement closer to the division rival Miami Marlins, getting two rookie-level prospects in return. With the team 7.0 games behind the final NL Wild Card spot, it makes sense for general manager Billy Eppler to begin selling assets and looking towards the future. Of course, now Eppler has opened himself to criticism, especially considering his poor track record of trades.
Did the New York Mets get enough value back in the David Robertson trade with Miami Marlins?
Robertson, who wrapped his New York Mets‘ career with a 2.05 ERA and 27.9 percent strikeout rate in 44.0 innings, proved adequate insurance for Edwin Diaz. In return, the Marlins surrendered two teenage prospects, infielder Marco Vargas and catcher Ronald Hernandez.
Marco Vargas, an infielder, and Ronald Hernández, a catcher, are ranked among the Marlins top 21 prospects @Ken_Rosenthal 1st on DRob going https://t.co/7sq3e2ZlVx
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 28, 2023
FanGraphs lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen was very bullish on Vargas in his assessment of the Marlins’ farm system, ranking him ninth amongst all prospects. Longenhagen points to Vargas’ strong bat-to-ball skills, which may end up being plus upon reaching the big leagues. Vargas has walked more than he has struck out through his first two professional seasons. While the bat is potentially special, Vargas does not hit for a ton of power, and may end up as an average second baseman. Still, Longenhagen projects Vargas to become a regular big-league starter.
As for Hernandez, most prospect rankings fit him between 20-25 when ranking the Marlins’ system. Hernandez is a switch-hitter with solid receiving and throwing behind the plate. Now repeating the complex level for the second season, Hernandez has walked more than he has struck out, albeit with only nine extra-base hits in 31 games. The 19-year-old has slashed an impressive .298/.464/.452, good for a 149 wRC+. Like Vargas, Hernandez is a few years away from making a big league impact, but should stick at catcher thanks to a strong foundation of defensive skills.
Even with semi-glowing reviews, fans took to Twitter to bash Eppler. Optically, trading your best reliever for two prospects years away from the big leagues was likely to garner these types of reactions. Evan Roberts, a popular afternoon drive host on New York sports radio station WFAN, and Mets superfan, bashed Eppler’s return on Twitter.
That’s what you get for David Robertson? What a disgrace
— Evan Roberts (@EvanRobertsWFAN) July 28, 2023
I can’t sleep now thinking of this incompetence. I’ve seen some bad GMs… Billy King and John Idzik to make a few, but Billy Eppler wants to give them a run for their money.
— Evan Roberts (@EvanRobertsWFAN) July 28, 2023
Realistically, trading half a season of a 38-year-old reliever for two likely big leaguers is an absolute haul by Billy Eppler. While it may take a few years, the Mets made out great in this deal.