It’s a hypothetical that Mets fans could be asking for years to come — what if the team didn’t make last December’s big blockbuster trade with the Mariners for Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz? Yahoo Sports’ Matt Ehalt looks at a potential alternate reality where the trade didn’t take place, which keeps Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak, Gerson Bautista, and prospects Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn in the New York organization and also slightly dims Van Wagenen’s “win-now” push, which also means that Marcus Stroman isn’t acquired at the trade deadline (for pitching prospects Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods-Richardson). All other moves remain the same, which means that J.D. Davis and Wilson Ramos are still on the team, for instance.
The end result is a Mets roster that has a lot more young talent as its disposal as possible trade chips or roster reinforcements for 2020, plus a lot more financial flexibility without Cano or Diaz on the payroll. McNeil is locked in as the everyday second baseman, while players like Davis and Pete Alonso still blossom as they did in the real world. “In this alternate universe, the Mets enter the offseason in a much better position,” Ehalt writes, as while “this version of the Mets would win fewer games than the 80-plus games the Mets will win this year, but a few wins are irrelevant when neither season results in a postseason berth.”
Here’s more from Citi Field…
- “Boldness won Brodie Van Wagenen the job of Mets general manager, and lost the season,” the New York Post’s Joel Sherman writes in roundup of the Mets’ 2019 campaign and a look ahead to what the team should do this offseason. Sherman notes that while many of Van Wagenen’s bigger moves (i.e. the Mariners trade) backfired, many of his less-heralded moves proved successful, such as acquiring J.D. Davis or Justin Wilson. Looking ahead to 2020, Sherman proposes that the Mets should continue to “find hidden treasures” on other teams’ rosters, acquire a proper center fielder (Sherman suggests the Padres’ Manuel Margot) for at least a platoon role, and hang onto Diaz and Noah Syndergaard rather than trade either pitcher. To juggle the payroll, Sherman also suggests a few bad contract swaps, unloading the likes of Ramos or Jed Lowrie for high-priced relievers who are also in need of a change of scenery (such as the Rockies’ Jake McGee or White Sox righty Kelvin Herrera).
- Dominic Smith, center fielder? After getting work in the corner outfield this year, Smith tells MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo that he wants to contribute to the 2020 Mets at as many positions as possible. This includes all three outfield spots and at his old first base position, despite something of a roster logjam — Pete Alonso obviously isn’t going anywhere at first base, while Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil, or J.D. Davis could all be options for corner outfield work (not to mention the x-factor that is Yoenis Cespedes, should he be able to get healthy). While center field may seem like a tall order for a player who didn’t fare well defensively as a corner outfielder, Smith will have an offseason to fully prepare himself for outfield work, and to that end has already hired a track coach for offseason speed training. With the Mets looking for answers in center, there’s at least a chance that Smith could be a part-time solution up the middle. “Why not get in great shape, man, and go out there and try to compete and do it? I don’t sell myself short on anything. I feel like I can go out there and compete and do anything,” Smith said.
Love me some Dom Smith. Great kid.
YeH – but CF?
Yeah this is really bizarre. I almost feel like the Wilpons are telling us flat out they won’t be spending any money and will utilize what they have.
Yes.
This is the same question the article posed and gave a potential to answer to. It’ll have to be a wait and see. Love the confidence and competition from Dom.
Similar to Joey Gallo, no? Clunky corner infielder moved to center and flourishes..
I don’t think he can play center but you gotta like the guys attitude to try and contribute no matter what, that’s rad dude
Lol
Mets are not getting Margot unless he is apart of a certain pitcher package that preller wants.
That’s asinine. Margot has maybe 1/20 of Syndergaard’s trade value. If Preller is to negotiate like that (which I doubt he will) his loss of Syndergaard would be lower than New York’s loss of Margot, who the Mets probably don’t even actually want.
Margot is nothing special.
Margot is a non tender candidate, get real.
Shiiit as a mets fan I dont want Margot he only hits mets pitching, if hes on the mets hes a .190 hitter. No thanks
Margot wasn’t even starting the first half and his numbers are junk. He has failed to adapt to major league pitching and the Mets already one of him in Lagares.
I gotta believe that they could get some decent players back Dom heck I would gladly give them Shaw, Anderson and a couple high minor league relievers for him to become our first baseman in Milwaukee but then again there is a reason I’m not the GM lol
The Mets are like the Cubs used to be; a large market team that for some reason is limited in what it can spend. The result is a more interesting Mets team. They’re fun to watch no matter what.
They SELF limit their spending….both teams have a lot of money.
As for Margot, “prime prospects” die hard for the faithful. A 4th OFer at best; MLB glove, AAA bat. Peter Bourgeois, nothing more. Arbitration eligible this year, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him non-tendered. Mid-market teams have to watch their sheckles, and dole them out where they do the most good.
Margot (2.5M-3M?) doesn’t do the most good.
I’m still steadfast in my belief that a potential Syndergaard or Diaz trade at the deadline would have been a misguided, sell-low move. Both are cheap, controllable assets that likely wouldn’t have brought back a large return, and both could feasibly rebuild their value in the coming seasons. That isn’t to say that there isn’t risk in holding on to them, but I don’t think it’s a gigantic failure on BVW’s part for not selling them off.
Smith needs to be shopped.
He bill bavasi’d that team. The Mets will hurt for years after these trades.
– a mariners fan.
Cue the defenders of the Diaz-Cano trade, desperate to avoid facing the reality that it was a bad move then, and looks worse now.
Mets fans had a glimmer of hope for all of 3 minutes.
I’m just so curious how this trade can still be judged when the main pieces moved to Seattle are still in the minors (or struggling in first two appearances in the mlb). This trade will be judged over the course of the next three or four years. Diaz can very well be lights out next year. Cano can do what he did since his ir return and be more than serviceable. Kelenic could bomb next year when more scouting is done against him. Dunn could tommy john ans never pitch again. This year yeah it’s not looking so good. But u can’t predict Diaz doing what he did. At all. So no, I’m not defending the trade. I’m just not judging it quite yet.
As for the three minutes of hope, I would say going into mid sept within three games and then having to witness one of the most unreal streaks that the brewers have displayed almost without the best player in the nl, yeah I would say that is more than a glimmer or 3 minutes of hope. The team turned it on after the break and preformed just as they were expected to by many for the full season. Still a bust, since no playoffs but they were entertaining and engaged everyone through most of September.
it was a bad move, no matter how Kelenic turns out, and that’s not even factoring in how unexpectedly bad Diaz was.
All of Brody’s moves HURT the team. He was terrible at the Hot Stove meetings and showed how he couldn’t keep his composure. So other GM’s string him out and he kept biting until it was too late.
The team would have been better without the players that he brought in plain and simple.
He actually blocked several of this years’ minor league surprises.
Don’t expect any better. He just wants to flash his “handsome smile” as he pontificates with bravado.
How is the team better off without Wilson or Davis or alonso starting game one? Tell me that please? You can argue about the others, fine, but a blanket statement like that just shows you lack any sort of knowledge on the team and should refrain from commenting on things you don’t know.
Imagine how much better the Mets would’ve been if they didn’t have Davis, Wilson, or Avilan. If Brodie would’ve just found the money for Kimbrel this team wins 100 games
Cue all the people making judgements from perfect hindsite.
Trade Smith for another area of need.
Teams with a surplus in one area should stop trying to put square pegs into round holes.
What about a trade involving Starling Marte if the Mets need a center fielder? Obviously other pieces need to be added to balance the trade.
That’s exactly what the trade entails in which you’re referring to a team trading a square peg to a team acquiring a square peg only now it’s involving an extremely vast OF. The other issue involved is the evaluation of Smith’s potential offense. His value is hampered by being a 1b only type, in all reality, which diminishes his value unless teams believe he can develop into an elite bat. You can find a LH slugger easily if you’re in need of a 1b or even LF for that matter. It’s a position you really don’t overpay for unless we’re talking about being elite. Anyways the package for Marte probably requires SP regardless.
What would it take to get Diaz to the Twins?
A stupid Twins GM.
I really think returning to the AL and working with Wes could do a lot for him.
Although given his struggles, the most I’d offer for him is Ryan Jeffers, Tyler Duffey, Nick Gordon, Jake Cave.
Not bad, can cave play cf? If so great our corners are already taken
Shiiit as a mets fan I dont want Margot he only hits mets pitching, if hes on the mets hes a .190 hitter. No thanks
I had a discussion with a friend hes a Rockies fan he tells me ok how about a trade conforto to the Rockies for charlie Blackmon with $ going back to ny. If charlie can still play cf I thought this wasn’t too bad of a deal. But who says no? Mets or rockies
He’s going to be 34, and has lost significant steps in OF range. That’s a bad proposition for the Mets. Granted if they’re ok to swallow 63 over 3 plus a 10M-18M player option for 23. That’s getting older with no significant upgrade tbh.
Smith might want to lose a few pounds…..
Seriously? The kid came into spring training in tremendous shape. After being diagnosed with sleep apnea and changing his diet, he looked great.
Dom Smith is a good kid that seems to have total support within the organization and his team mates. The problem is that he needs to play to continue to develop and he’s not a game changing player.
His value will never be higher than it is right now. The Mets need to figure out their outfield. With Frazier done, who moves to 3b? That does leave an outfield spot open, but after missing the playoffs yet again, the Mets need to add an impact bat in the outfield. Is Smith an impact bat? I don’t think so. He’s a 4th outfielder on this team, but maybe a starting 1b or LF on a rebuilding team. The Mets don’t need a platoon lefty in the OF, they need every day right handed production out there. They have McNeil, Cano, Conforto, Nimmo and Smith from the left side which makes them too vulnerable against lefty starters and left handed late inning relievers and nothing coming up in the minors that might help.
If/when the Mets add a right handed bat, Smith is the odd man out. The Mets simply can’t give away defense OR carry short side platoon players in their division and expect to finish ahead of Atlanta and Washington AND grab the last wild card spot when teams like the Brewers and Cardinals just play better baseball. If the Phils add Bumgarner and Wheeler, the Mets will need to put their BEST team on the field every day. I’m not sure Dom is part of that only because he’s benched versus lefties and is not really an outfielder.
Dom has a great attitude and wants to be on the field. That’s a GREAT thing. Can the Mets make the post season carrying another left handed platoon left fielder? JD Davis or McNeil move to third unless Cano misses bulk time. That leaves McNeil or Davis in the outfield along with Nimmo and Conforto. Davis has earned the chance to play every day, so who sits so Smith can get his at bats? I’m all for keeping him, but they can’t bench one of the other players just to get him at bats so that limits his productivity. With day rosters going to 26, that helps his case, but it still comes down to who sits when he plays? If Nimmo is healthy, he and Smith are pretty much the same hitter. Mets need a a Kingery-like right handed hitter and a LOT of bullpen help. Smith is one of the few trade chips they have that they can part with and get quality in return.