New York Mets can be both buyers and sellers at deadline
By Ed Stein
With only a week left until the MLB trade deadline, New York Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen is working the phones. Despite the Amazins poor record, he can not only be a seller but can buy as well.
The New York Mets 2019 campaign is effectively over. Unless they go on a 2007 Colorado Rockies-like September run (won 21 of their final 22 games), the Amazins have no path to the playoffs. With a week to go, they are obviously sellers at this year’s new trade deadline. It doesn’t mean they can’t also be buyers.
Back in January, Mets new General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen told the rest of the MLB East that they were the best of the division and the other teams that they can come and get the Amazins. Well, with the exception of Florida, that’s what they did. Now he should be announcing to all of baseball, come and get our players.
Very few Mets on the active roster are untouchable. It would be foolish to move Jacob deGrom, Jeff McNeil, Pete Alonso, and Michael Conforto. Additionally, maybe three or four prospects in the New York Mets system are untouchable as well. That leaves plenty of trade chips for Van Wagenen to work with. If another team wanted a player such as Brandon Nimmo or Dominic Smith, the Amazins will be listening.
Before going into the list of who should go, some misconceptions have to be cleared up. No team is going to trade for Yoenis Cespedes, Jeurys Familia, or Robinson Cano. Their respective contracts and corresponding performance (or lack thereof) make the trio unmoveable. It also seems as though the New York Mets will be stuck with Jed Lowrie. Why would a contender trade for him, when no one knows when Lowrie will be able to play again?
Although New York Mets fans want to shed Edwin Diaz and there have been rumors, but moving him would be premature. The struggling closer is only 25-years-old and has a very team-friendly contract. In addition, Diaz’ track record suggests that his 2018 performance is a statistical anomaly. Noah Syndergaard is going to be with NYM for a while as well. It would take an overwhelming offer for Thor to be traded. Finally, Seth Lugo has been a Mets unicorn this season, a reliable middle reliever.
First up is a list of players Van Wagenen will deal before July 31. Then comes a list of players from around the league, he should try to acquire as a buyer.