Sandy AldersonWith the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics completing a blockbuster trade this past Friday, the Major League Baseball trading season is underway.  So far, some key moves have been Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel being sent from the Cubs to the A’s, and Brandon McCarthy being traded to the New York Yankees for Vidal Nuno.  Now it is the Mets turn to make a trade…right?  Last year the Mets made some noise around the Trade Deadline when they traded Marlon Byrd and John Buck to the Pirates.  Other than that trade, the Mets seem to have stuck relatively quiet around the Trade Deadline since Sandy Alderson took over as General Manager.  However, this year may be different.  When asked by the media whether the Mets would be buyers or sellers at the Trade Deadline, Alderson said that he would need to take a few days to evaluate the team and the state which it is in.  The Mets have the players to sell, but they also have room to buy.  They are in a somewhat tight division, so they cannot hurt themselves by gaining Major League talent, but it might be better for them to sell.

Why the Mets Should Buy

The Mets may be in fourth place, but they still can benefit from being buyers at the Trade Deadline.  First of all, they certainly have the Minor League talent to trade for big name players, and they can certainly use all the Major League talent they can get.  Perhaps they will be able to gain a shortstop or even a first baseman.  The Mets certainly made a mistake this offseason by not trying to trade for Dee Gordon, so it is crucial that they do not let another opportunity like that one pass.  Of course, the Dodgers will not be shopping Gordon this season, but maybe the Mets can get a Didi Gregorius type player from the Diamond Backs or another disappointment of a team.  As for a first baseman, the market may be a bit tighter when trying to find a struggling team willing to give one up.  Perhaps they can land James Loney type player, but that may seem a bit more far-fetched.  Either way, if the Mets become buyers at the deadline, they may be able to make a push for a Wild Card spot if not the division.

Why the Mets Should Sell

Although the Mets are not too far out in their division or the Wild Card standings, they do not seem to be going anywhere within the next few seasons.  Therefore, it may be better if they gave up some of their Major League talent in order to gain some top prospects.  Alderson seems to be good at this.  He was able to pull off trading Carlos Beltran for Zack Wheeler, and R. A. Dickey for Noah Syndergaard, Travis d’Arnaud, and some other players.  One name that seems to be coming to float in trade rumors is second baseman Daniel Murphy.   Murphy is a top second baseman, and will be representing the Mets in the All Star Game this season.  Most likely, the Mets could get a few prospects for Murphy.  However, Murphy is only 29, so he could end up as a key player in the Mets’ future, but for now the Mets might as well focus on the “what could be” top prospects that they could get in return.

Being a General Manager is not an easy job, especially when their team is not too far out of the playoff race to give up all hope.  That being said, with the Mets are 9 games out of first and 8 games out of a Wild Card spot, they could go either way.  Most people would probably think that the Mets are in a selling type situation, but it may not be the worst thing in the world if they became buyers.  If you think they should buy, sell, or even stay neutral, tell us through your comments below.

10 comments on “New York Mets: Buyers or Sellers?

  • Zozo

    They should do both, trade as many of these guys colon, gee, dice k, Murphy, Abreau and Niese. Then use some of the guys they received to get a Tulo or Elvis andrus type SS or for Matt Kemp.

  • pete

    Realistically the Mets are not going to leap frog over what 5 teams. Can’t sell just for the sake of trading. Has to make sense for both teams. As for trading Murphy who is a quality MLB player for future prospects? Just not going to happen. Have to get a major league starter in return. The Mets Buyers? With what money? The Mets are broke with an 80 million+ payroll. Sorry Dan but the Mets shop at Syms not Saks
    PS. I know Syms is bankrupt

    • Joe Gomes

      Mets should be sellers with Colon, Dice K, Abreu and should listen for offers on Murphy, deGrom, Gee.

  • Steve S.

    Although it’s unlikely that they can make the playoffs this year, they should trade for next year, if they can get major-league ready players for the outfield and at shortstop. They don’t need Colon, with Harvey, Niese, deGrom, Wheeler, Gee, Syndergaard, and Hefner here, and with Matz almost ready.

    There are also too many outfielders on the bench, so see if CY can be dumped.

    I would also trade Murphy now–with his value high, giving Flores a real chance this time–at 2B.

  • Name

    Duda >>>>>>> Loney.
    No thanks on Didi.

    I suggest you read this excellent piece on the state of Murphy.

    The Daniel Murphy mystery

    I would stand pat at the deadline and make deals over the winter instead where there are more suitors for both buying and selling.

  • blastingzone

    Why would the mets trade for a first baseman when Duda is finally starting to
    show the promise they expected a few years ago and with Soup against tough
    lefties there good at first and even though I still think they could use a SS the
    mets believe they already have their SS in Rubin T so their not going to trade
    for one! The only place I see the mets upgrading is left field with a power bat
    who is at least a decent fielder and cutting Chris Young! SA has said time and
    again he doesn’t want to trade their young pitching and I believe him! Maybe
    SA will trade Colon and Murphy and cut CY but that’s about it and that will only bring them some prospects not ML ready players! If SA is going to trade for a
    power hitting left fielder or sign one it will be in the off season and if they trade
    Colon, Murphy, and cut CY they will have some extra money to do just that!!

  • Wilponzi

    One of the few good moves made was not getting any of the short stop mentioned in your article, except Dee Gordon. Gregarious has been in the minors and not really impressive, He was called up because Owens is on the DL with a shoulder problem similar to Wright’s on his non throwing arm.. Drew is hitting a hot .130. For the past few Tejada has raised his BA 60 points, and handling every ball hit to him. With Matt Reynolds development, and Flores, I don’t feel shortstop is a priority.

    Anyone who suggests trading Gee is as crazy as those wanting to trade Murphy. Although the baseball board on the internet were busy with “rumors” of Allen Criag for Jake Peavy. Criag is the type of player the Mets are desperate for if the Cards want to trade him, for a Pitcher, the Mets should look into it.

    • Jerry Grote

      I think you are right; Craig and the Cards probably profile pretty well as the deal to make. He’s got a good contract (providing he hits like 2011-2013 not 2014).

      I’m thinking a #4 pitcher (Dice K) and possibly a valuable bullpen arm – maybe Edgin.

      • Patrick Albanesius

        I can’t see Cardinals being interested in Dice K and a reliever for Craig. They would want much, much more for him than that, and it wouldn’t be worth it.

  • BringBackDaveTelgheder

    James Loney type?… Duda has his flaws, but he is tracking for a pretty big player and has a ton more power than Loney.

Leave a Reply to pete Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The maximum upload file size: 100 MB. You can upload: image, audio, video, document, spreadsheet, interactive, text, archive, code, other. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop file here