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New York Mets: 7 Options To Permanently Fix 3rd Base Situation

By Mike Calendrillo

May 18, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets third baseman David Wright (5) reacts after striking out to end the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field. The Nationals defeated the Mets 7-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets third baseman David Wright (5) reacts after striking out to end the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field. The Nationals defeated the Mets 7-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Nolan Arenado

This may seem like a long-shot on paper, but let’s take a moment to understand the Colorado Rockies. This is a club that has truly lost its identity, ie. Troy Tulowitzki. They shipped their leader off to Canada last year because they severely overpaid him in the form of a deal that runs through 2021 and its remaining $91 million price tag. In return, they received Jose Reyes’ bloated salary, $44 million through 2018, and a bag full of domestic violence problems.

Free agent pitchers won’t sign with Colorado because thin air equals expanded ERA’s. Carlos Gonzalez, the club’s second best player will either be traded before July 31st or walk away as a free agent soon after. Yes, Trevor Story is a nice young piece. At 23 years of age, he’s already slugged the most home runs by a rookie shortstop before the All-Star break (16, and we still have over a month to go). But, Story has also struck out 92 times, which currently leads the galaxy!

Back to Arenado; by the time this Rockies’ team is ready to compete, poor Arenado will have wasted the bulk of his prime, something I recently said about Mike Trout in Los Angeles. Arenado was absolutely lit in 2015, amassing a batting average of .287 with 42 home runs and 130 RBI. In 2016 Arenado is solidifying his claim as one of the top three third basemen in the game. Through 59 games Arenado is batting .289 with 19 home runs and 53 runs batted in.

A trade for a young superstar like this would not come cheap, obviously. But the chance to add a 25-year-old All-Star, who defends like Brooks Robinson (Youtube both and make your own comparisons) and can take offensive pressure off everyone else in your lineup, is too good to not at the very least explore.

I’d include Matt Harvey, Travis d’Arnaud because he can’t stay healthy, Michael Conforto, who has too many questions about consistently hitting left-handed pitching, Juan Lagares and a top minor league prospect or two…or three.

Next: 5 Greatest New York Mets First Baseman Of All-Time

Is it too much? I’d worry it’s not enough, and that the Rockies would want all this plus Steven Matz or Wheeler. But if that were the case, I’d still do it! Third baseman like Arenado only come around once every 20 years or so.

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