Yahoo’s Jeff Passan has a landslide of trade chatter in his latest “10 Degrees” column, but he first kicks off with a look at what he terms “new depths of dysfunction” among the Mets’ front office and ownership. Passan echoes previous reports which have suggested that COO Jeff Wilpon is as caught up with whether the cross-town Yankees win or lose as he is with his own team’s success, and he also explores the startling lack of organizational communication that became increasingly apparent with this weekend’s Yoenis Cespedes debacle.
Passan also notes that a GM from another team and another exec from a second team have both wondered to him whether Wilpon is so concerned with the public perception of his team that he’d push for a trade of Jacob deGrom in an effort to engender some positive P.R. among a fanbase that has clamored for a rebuild. Most still expect the Mets to hang onto both deGrom and Noah Syndergaard, he adds, but even the notion that some teams feel Mets ownership could plausibly be leveraged or taken advantage of in that manner has to be unsettling for Mets fans.
Some more highlights from a column that anyone who follows the trade market should check out in its entirety…
- The Rays aren’t planning to operate as a strict buyer or seller over the next eight days, Passan writes. Tampa Bay is marketing rental pieces like right-hander Nathan Eovaldi and injured catcher Wilson Ramos to other clubs but is also willing to part with prospects to acquire affordable, controllable pieces that can be retained for years to come. Passan spoke to someone familiar with the Rays’ talks surrounding Chris Archer who said he’d be “completely stunned” if Archer were actually traded this summer given the three reasonably priced years of control he has remaining on his contract.
- While Ervin Santana hasn’t pitched in the Majors this season after undergoing surgery to repair a tendon in his right middle finger this February, scouts are planning to closely watch the Twins right-hander’s 2018 debut this week, Passan notes. Santana likely only has enough time to make a pair of starts before the non-waiver deadline, and that may or may not be enough to convince a team of his ability to help down the stretch. But he’s also owed the balance of a $14MM salary this season — about $5.2MM through season’s end — which could allow him to clear waivers in early August and emerge as a trade candidate next month.
- The Yankees have been tied to multiple rentals this summer, but they’ve also been inquiring on controllable relief arms and, in some cases, showing a willingness to include Brandon Drury in those trade talks. Drury was added as a depth piece late in the offseason and opened the year as the Yankees’ third baseman, but the near-immediate success of Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar made him relatively superfluous in the season’s early stages. Drury has appeared in just 16 games for the Yankees this season despite the fact that he’d established himself as a solid contributor at the big league level over the past two years with the Diamondbacks.
- The Rangers are willing to pay down a “significant” portion of Shin-Soo Choo’s remaining contract — he’s still guaranteed about $7.4MM through the end of 2018 plus $21MM in each of the next two seasons — but his lack of defensive value is a roadblock to a deal. Choo fits best on an AL club where he can serve as a designated hitter, but there’s no American League contender with much of an opening, and teams in both leagues would likely be reluctant to use him in the outfield.
- A bit more surprisingly, Passan reports that the Royals are “poking around” on Mariners first baseman Ryon Healy in case he’s deemed redundant once Robinson Cano returns from his 80-game suspension. The Mariners have already expressed a desire to keep Dee Gordon at second base, which could push Cano to first base once he returns. That’d take away at-bats from Healy, who is showing impressive power but dismal on-base skills, with a .244/.274/.466 and 20 homers through 325 plate appearances. Healy is controlled through the 2022 season and won’t be eligible for arbitration until after the 2019 season, so while the Royals are obviously a rebuilding club, he could be a long-term piece for them if they’re able to boost his on-base percentage to a passable level.
Coast1
Choo would fit right in with the Phillies horrible defense. He’s probably worse than Nick Williams in RF, but Williams is bad fielder.
sheff86
GOD I CANT WAIT FOR ELLSBURY TO COME BACK!
doctorhfuhruhirr
Just think of all the missing catchers interference calls, the Yankees would be 7 games ahead of Boston if he was in the lineup.
Begamin
you know, for all the flack that he gets, he can produce. idk if he can be better than any of the current OF options the Yankees have outside of C. Frazier though.
most people like to say that he is bad because he overpaid but thats just not the case, now is it? wish he would allow a trade though bc there is just no room for him anymore and he cant be sent to the minors without his consent.
doctorhfuhruhirr
You don’t know if he’s better than Hicks? Judge? Gardner? Stanton? I’m pretty sure most people know the answer: “LOL NO”.
I wouldn’t say Ellsbury is bad. The Yankees signed the contract, so “overpaid” is moot. It’s safe to say that Ellsbury is an easy target because he makes tons of money, might be the 5th best OF (tops) on the team, and is constantly on the DL.
Fair or not, he’s the Nickelback of the Yankees.
Begamin
I mean, i know that he is not better than Gardner, Hicks, Judge and Stanton. I was mainly questioning if he could be better than C. Frazier. He put up around 2 WAR even though he missed most of the season. That isnt great by any means but a 4 WAR season is not too shabby.
I dont understand how the overpaid thing is moot? No matter how much money the Yankees have, theyre still
paying Ellsbury too much even if he was healthy and playing everyday. You also use the fact that he is overpaid to push why he is hated, which is what i did. Its like the verbiage you used implies disagreement but the points you bring up sing along with mine? My main point was that if you look, people usually regard Ellsbury as an awful player when the truth is that he is just overpaid and injury prone (which oddly enough his injury benefits the yankees since they dont need to house 5 OF on the MLB roster if they dont want to) all the while being a better than the league average OF
Perksy
No, Ellsbury is just bad because he is bad. 250-260 with 7 homers and no run producing production is not starter worthy. And the fact he is injury prone and makes $22.5 m a year makes it that much worse.
jekporkins
“I wouldn’t say Ellsbury is bad. The Yankees signed the contract, so “overpaid” is moot. It’s safe to say that Ellsbury is an easy target because he makes tons of money, might be the 5th best OF (tops) on the team, and is constantly on the DL.”
Makes a lot of money, 5th best OF tops on his team, and constantly on the DL. I’d say that’s pretty bad, man.
Begamin
He is better than a lot of other teams current starting OF. He isnt great, or really good, but he is not bad. You dont have to like him to say that he is not bad
mikeyank55
In a conference call with writers tonight, Jeff Wilpon told of a palace revolt within the family business. It’s evident that Fred is actually senile.
To prove a point, Jeff agreed to trade deGrom for Elsbury even up. He commented, “Randy Levine is such a fair trader that he threw in Neal Walker! Can you believe that? I didn’t want to let Walker go, however the idiot Three Stooges gave into Mr Mumbles.
yankeeempire
At least he hustles more than Sanchez.
walls17
the wilpons need to get a psychiatric exam
mikeyank55
Give them the exam yourself:
Boycott the Mets
No tickets
No SNY
Ridicule them on social media.
Enough is enough with embarrassment as a result of their incompetence and lack of commitment.
It’s time for NY to take control to gain a legitimate National League Franchise.
JYD5321
Cheapness isn’t a disease.
rwdavis22461
why waste the time you can way your hand near one ear and see through the other ear to see the hand nothing to block it
toomuchpie
I hope you didn’t spend too much time constructing that sick burn.
sluman46953
only place degrom needs to go is toronto.. for guerrero and bichette.
jdgoat
Yes because Toronto will part with two of the games elite prospects and make the playoffs with Degrom
mikeyank55
Hey Slum-wishful thinking is for delusional fans who support a legitimate team.
Yours is not so this may require a change of medication.
As good as deGrom is he is still a pitcher who could be fragile.
And as Yogi Berra once said, “ We can finish in last place with him or without him.” So the Jays do not need deGrom.
And that brings me to the final point:
We foregave Yogi for working for the Mets. You’ve been forgiven for supporting them.
However from today going forward you need to step up and join the Mets boycott.
-Don’t waste your $ on tickets
-Don’t waste your time watching SNY.
-Post on social media what you are doing and embarrass the Wilpons.
Otherwise it’s more anxiety medicine for you.
Michael Chaney
Why trade Guerrero and Bichette when Mets will take Thomas Pannone and a Ticonderoga pencil for him
Begamin
hey ticonderogas are pretty sweet pencils ok
Michael Chaney
Oh for sure, they were always the best kind whenever I was in elementary school…the round ones were awesome
Begamin
the triangle ones were my favorite. had a certain flare to em. they dont beat out the scented pencils tho. those were OP
Say Hey Now Kid
The Mets are a complete train wreck. And no rebuild is going to fix all the things wrong with this organization. deGrom is my favorite player. Please keep him so at least I can have one game a week where I get to enjoy my team.
mikeyank55
Do the Math:
Until you force the Wilpon’s to sell the Mets they will continually embarrass you.
Here’s how it adds up for YOUR FUTURE:
Join the Mets Boycott:
Do not purchase Mets’ tickets
Do not Watch SNY
Go on Social Media and embarrass Abbott and Costello (aka Mutt and Jeff)
Grab control of your fan experience so that NL fans in New York have something to truly enjoy.
luclusciano
Were you personally slighted by the Wilpon’s? I feel like you have some real bad history with them – personally.
mikeyank55
Nothing personal. Did you ever read about the golden age in NYC baseball when the city had good baseball teamS?
Well your post shows that you couldn’t care about real inner city rivalries.
The Mets are, well The Mets.
And I take it that you are willing to accept these incompetent and uncommitted owners? It appears that you have a good history with all of this.
Jimmy S
Bro stfu. He’s right. Met fans need to boycott until they sell. Only other option is to trade deGrom and the Wilpons need to stay out of all baseball decisions. As for Mr. DeGrom is my fav player, you would rather the Mets fail than trade and get top prospects who can help us win ? DeGrom can only do so much and the lineup we have or will have in 2019 will not be able to produce for deGrom so it’s not feasible to keep him bc we will still suck
getright11
Posting it 4x is overkill, BRO. You can STFU
getright11
How many times you gonna post this?
Jimmy S
Until dumb Met fans realize not to spend anymore money towards the franchise
muskie73
The linked Passan column has no mention of Ryon Healy.
NWsportsfan
Yeah it does under the section on Choo
muskie73
Thanks. My search function malfunctioned. 😉
NWsportsfan
Healy, Mike Z, and a prospect or two for Salvador Perez and Danny Duffy. Gives the Royals MLB ready players with team control and the Mariners more playoff seasoned vets and a much better 5th starter option. Might be a stretch with how loved Salvy is in KC, but I think it would really solidify the M’s starting lineup and give Mike Z a much needed change of scenery to maybe tap into some of his potential (aka Justin Smoak 2.0)
WWWWWWW
Don’t mention this to Moore; he just might go for it. Why would the Royals want to do this? In return for a great leader, good receiver, and quality starter, they will receive both a terrible-hitting catcher (’17 was clearly an aberration for him) *and* first baseman? All that would do is bring in more useless power to a club that decided to veer that direction after winning the WS without relying on the long ball, but focusing on defense and consistent contact (as all winning KC teams have done; are only people outside the organization aware of this?!?). KC does not need Brandon Moss 2.0 and 3.0. Their lineup has enough holes as it is.
It wouldn’t be *as* fireable an offense as the SD trade was last year, but it would still be yet another reason to clear house in the Royals’ management system.
ThePriceWasRight
trading him from a pitchers park to a pitchers park helps Z How? The Healy item doesn’t make any sense as someone will have to play 1st if they make the playoffs. This Cano chatter is nuts. he likely will play 2nd two times a week when he returns, DH one day a week and bench the rest.
houkenflouken
I think the M’s want Cano’s bat in the lineup 6-7 days a week, hence his legit move to first base.
BuddyBoy
Wrong
terry g
Probably more like 1st against right handed pitching and 2nd against left handed pitching with an occasional DH thrown in. Healy will lose some abs but probably not get traded.
fundaysunday
It sure is maddening being a Mets fan. Unfortunately, the Wilpons just don’t get it and seemingly never will. They have no apparent grasp on how to properly handle a Major League Baseball team and obviously have no idea what Mets fans are feeling. Why stay a Mets fan…..? Because it’s the team I watched become the Miracle Mets and The Amazins and there’s always hope for a brighter Mets day ahead……the Wilpons can’t last forever, can they?
justreading
you sure ?
mikeyank55
So why are you putting your hard earned money in Mutt and Jeff’s pockets.
How can there be hope that there will be a
Brighter Mets day ahead?
Has it not gotten worse each day since the All Star game. Can this team embarrass and sadden you more?
The Wilpon’s will leave if you embarrass them by boycotting the Mets:
Do not purchase any more tickets!
Do not Watch SNY.
Post embarrassing comments on social media and demand that they dispose of the team that they have destroyed.
Jimmy S
Very true!!!! I’ve been saying it for two months now
getright11
5th time you posted this
mrnatewalter
It’s so nice of the Yankees to consider adding their 51 wRC+ utility guy in trades. How generous of them.
AlvaroEspinoza 2
He has 32 more MLB homers than Vladimir Guerrero Jr – that’s infinity more if you can multiply and are selective in your stat picking
mrnatewalter
For that matter, Ehire Adrianza has more big league home runs than Estevan Florial. I’m sure he’s a much, much greater trade chip for that reason.
Boogaloo
Yeah, cause the guy hasn’t been a good player and only not playing because they better options.
Who is your team btw?
mrnatewalter
He has a wRC+ of 51. That’s not a counting stat. It doesn’t get better or worse depending on playing time.
That, by every account, is beyond bad.
mrnatewalter
Since Torres went to the disabled list, they’ve used Neil Walker (57 wRC+) and Tyler Wade (50 wRC+) at 2B.
They’ve had several weeks to showcase Brandon Drury.
Driver87
Z might not have the greatest avg but I will take a catcher that can handle a pitching staff vs one that has a higher batting avg
RunDMC
ATL should be interested in Drury as an offensive upgrade at 3B. I’m not sure who they could include but I could see them interested in Anibal Sanchez, with him having a very good season (and a great start at Yankee Stadium), which could allow them to be more sparing with Sonny Gray if his struggles continue.
rocky7
Don’t think that an acquisition of Anibal Sanchez is going to help going down the stretch.
He’s arguably having some success, but is it possible that we’re waiting for him to regress into the pitcher he has been in 2015, 2016, and 2017 which was a tad worse than what we have in Sonny Gray?
And, very doubtful that we’d stack him up against the Red Sox in a critical series and expect anything better than starting Sonny Gray…..if I’m the Yankees….I pass….especially since Atlanta will ask for quality in return for a 34 year old journeyman.
Begamin
maybe they can work out some 3 way trade with the Braves for Drury. maybe even send drury to the Brewers. they need infield help. dunno what the Yankees expect to get from contenders though and they arent just gonna sell their good SP
JYD5321
Is this supposed to be news? Mets have been dysfunctional since the Wilpons gained control of the team in the early 1990s.
As always, I would be willing to trade any or all of our players (including both DeGrom and NS ) for a real owner.
justreading
trade degrom for 2 years of cashman
Hantoneenee
How about Syndegaard for Theo Epstein,,,,,
JYD5321
Putting aside that neither would work for the Wilpons, neither Cashman and Epstein would make any difference. They’re successful in part due to almost unlimited budgets. With the Mets, they’d have no budget beyond what’s guaranteed. All new salary or other costs (of any size) have to be run by the Wilpons. Enough said.
Name an organization with ownership like the Mets have that succeeds due to a great FO.-? Teams may struggle with good ownership, but they always struggle with bad ownership. If a fish stinks, it stinks from the head down.
deGrom and NS for the Cubs owner. Whoever he hires, and gives a blank check to (like he did with Epstein), will do fine. There’s lots of baseball people who could do a good job in that situation.
bigdaddyhacks
The mariners cannot/will not trade Z. His influence on the staff is very noticeable. In absence we went 2-8 and with him back this weekend 2-1. He handles the staff very well. Who cares about his batting average at this point. He’s got light tower power so that once a week hit will land on the moon at least. And Healy ain’t going anywhere, unless you can fleece someone for him like Jerry did to the diamond backs.
jbigz12
It’d help to not have Healy’s all time low OBP in the lineup. Guy just isnt very good. He can hit bombs and that’s about it. No plate discipline, average defense at best. Would help balance the M’s lineup out if they didn’t have Healy, Zunino, and Seager are posting sub .300 OBP seasons. Dee Gordon isn’t much higher.
casey21
How about deGrom and Syndergaard to the Reds for Senzel, Trammell, Garrett, Duvall, Stevenson, Stephenson, and Mahle?
davidcoonce74
The Royals being interested in Healy is the most Royals thing ever. Apparently nobody in the front office has ever heard of this new-fangled “on-base percentage” stat. They’re starting a guy at shortstop with a 256 OBP and the starting catcher has, what, a 260 OBP? And -surprise! -they have a 30-68 record, nearly the very worst in baseball.
Seriously though, teams have understood the importance of getting on base for years now. This isn’t a new thing; why the Royals are running their team with this absurd anti-OBP philosophy is maddening to watch. Of course, Ned Yost’s career OBP was 237, so maybe he just doesn’t understand.
terry g
Ned was a career back up catcher who only played 5 years.
davidcoonce74
Yes, because he had negative offensive value, in large part because he was allergic to getting on base.
Ronk325
I assume this report about Jeff Wilpon being concerned so much about the Yankees all ends the speculation of the Mets trading deGrom to them
bravesfan88
I’m curious as to whether the Yankees would be interested in a swap involving and centered around Max Fried and Brandon Drury…
It would certainly be an interesting deal for both teams in contention. As both players are controlled for a couple years, and both are young and promising players. However, the Braves could certainly use Drury as a CI/CO, and the Yankees could clearly use a young and talented starting pitcher like Fried..
FordamFlash
One last time, but with even more schedule calculations. The Nat’s have the weakest teams to end this month and start next month, so many Nat’s fans think it is a sure thing to end in first. I think that could be possible, but for two teams that stand in their way, The Pirates (coming up) and the Rockies to end the season. Those games are poison for the Nat’s because their trend of playing at less than 500 against NL East teams and just at 500 against the rest of the NL puts them short of Atlanta and first place between 2-4 games. And unlike last year there is no wild card slot. So let the sell of begin! Catcher, pitcher, and Mr. Harper. The teams that lost out on Manny need a power bat. I am looking at you Boston!
Every play off bound team could use either a starting or backup catcher upgrade. Middle relief arms and rest of the season rental SP Gio Gonzalez to any team looking to rev up pitching, Yankees and Brewers could use an arm or two. This sell off becomes more likely when the Nat’s are beaten by Pittsburgh and lose 2 out 3 to Miami. That would put them at 7 games under 500. They would have to play over 600 ball and that is just not happening.
Bruin1012
Boston is one of the best and most powerful offenses in baseball and has limited resources to trade. They are much more need of pitching then adding a bat like Harper. I’m not saying he would not be an offensive upgrade over JBJ but they don’t need him especially when you factor in the cost. My money says DD makes a trade for a relief arm and if anything big happens it’s for a starter not Harper.
Burgeezy
Choo and cash to Cleveland make sense
CompetitiveBalance
Life-long mets fan just waiting for new ownership…
justreading
mets are in the bottom 5 in ownership, management, front office, minor league system, prospects, mlb ready talent, scouting, drafting, mlb age, defense, instructors, coaches…………………………………………………
justreading
that’s your opening “mikeyank55”
JYD5321
Bottom 1 in ownership. Change that, and the rest will “magically” change overnight. Laughable to talk about minor league systems and the like, as the Mets were high on all those lists and few years back and the Yankees near the bottom. A few promotions, and a few trades in a rebuild, will change that. Problem is, with the Wilpons, it will be short lived.
Phillies2017
How significant are we talking with choo?
tomselleck
So what are the Mariners plan for Vogelbach?
The Trash Man
The Wilpons may have learned from Uncle Bernie that with insurance, and the DL they only have to pay pennies on the dollar of salaries of players while getting sympathy for having all the players on the DL. They are laughing all the way to the bank.