3D logoThe trade deadline has come and gone and Daniel Murphy is still a Met, Hooray!  Murphy is a big part of the new “soul” of the franchise and, as the Mets slowly round into respectability, I’d like him to stay a part of it.  The trade deadline was particularly good for some teams, like Boston, and particularly bad for others, like Philadelphia.  As much as I’d have been happy to get something for Bartolo Colon now, I am okay with the lack of action from the Mets.

Waiver Deadline and the Offseason – What Sandy Alderson said was probably true… assuming nothing goes wrong.  Colon’s value will go up during the waiver deadline and even into the offseason.  Let us say that Clayton Kershaw or Justin Verlander go down in the next few weeks.  This could be catastrophic to a franchise that is headed to the playoffs and needs that pitching to make it to the World Series.  Colon can likely still be traded and with a team facing the end of their 2014 season the price could be exponentially higher.

In the offseason there’s more reason to think Alderson will get his asking price.  Look at the free agent pitchers.  Jon Lester, James Shields and Max Scherzer are out there and there are a couple of other names that teams might want but Colon’s price tag could look like a bargain in a hurry to a team facing spending big on someone like Jake Peavy.

How Do You Like Me Now? – There is no question that the play of certain Mets in July has brought about this resurgence of good vibes.  Travis d’Arnaud has looked like a new man since his time in the desert.  Perhaps he’s going to now ascend to being the player we once traded R.A. Dickey for.  Wouldn’t that be nice?  More surprising, to sour grapes people like me anyway, has been the hitting of Lucas Duda.  The modern Paul Bunyan as the “Schmoozer” refers to him has really proven his critics, like me, wrong.  I couldn’t be more pleased.  I love being wrong when it means success for the Mets.  I had thought Ike Davis was the guy more likely to get his head screwed on straight but it appears that, with enough rope, Duda was able to lasso the 1st base job nicely.

I’ll also remind everyone of a certain lanky right-hander who has looked like a Rookie of the Year and saved my Fantasy Baseball hopes in multiple leagues.  His name is Jacob deGrom and wouldn’t it be nice to have him take back that award for the Mets?  The Mets might have some question marks in the rotation but the depth of options for 2015 is very nice.  Watching deGrom starts to end out the season might not have the same magic as Matt Harvey days but it should still be pretty fun.

Keep Your Eyes on the Bouncing Ball – Ruben Tejada and Wilmer Flores (if Terry Collins ever lets him start for any length of time) have only a few months to show the Mets their worth.  Otherwise, the Mets have free agent options in Asdrubal Cabrera, Hanley Ramirez, J.J. Hardy, Jed Lowrie and Stephen Drew, which should give you a good number of players to keep tabs on.  The other direction to look is Binghamton, where Dilson Herrera is on absolute fire.  He’s a plus defender at second and has gotten time at shortstop this season, but he’s going to be sitting somewhere in the Top 10 Met prospects next season with a ticket punched to go to Vegas.

9 comments on “Travis d’Arnaud, Lucas Duda and post-deadline stories to watch

  • Metsense

    I have admired and liked Daniel Murphy. He is a blue collar, hard working, enthusiastic player who has achieved the status of all star. He will be a free agent in 2016.
    Dilson Herrera should be a ranked top ten Met prospect this winter. A team building philosophy is to build up your farm system so that as the major league roster ages these players can be replaced for younger less expensive players and the saved money can be used to upgrade positions that the farm can’t provide. Murphy/Herrera is ripe for this situation, especially if the Mets use Flores at second base in the 2015 buffer year.
    Flores should be playing. It is a waste of development to sit him on the bench. I realize that the Mets just finished a successful July but how much has Tejada and his monthly .605 OPS contributed to it? Could Flores put up better numbers? Don’t the Mets need to evaluate Flores defensively as a middle infielder?
    TdA went to Vegas and revitalized his career. I think that Backman and his staff deserve a pat on the back. As for Duda, he has been unconscious!

    • Frankie

      LOL unconscious…. nicely put.

    • Brian Joura

      If you read the right lists, The Dilson was a top-10 prospect heading into the 2014 season

      Mets 2014 Top 10 prospects

      Perhaps this coming year, BA can make room for Herrera by dropping Cecchini.

  • Frankie

    d’Arnaud is a steal. R. A. Dickey success had a little of luck on his Cy Young performance. They know how to sell high.

    Colon will also be sold with a nice return. For the Mets, selling at the trading deadline is not on their best interest. Remember, this deadline and the non waiver in Aug is only meaningful for those teams in the playoff hunt. Seller just does not have much motivation unless the player is going to be a free agent by the end of the season. With the market for starter is so thin, Colon is going to be a bargain which teams will be willing to trade some prospects like Vic Black the Mets got last season. He is not a superstar, but a solid bullpen arm that is valuable to every team.

  • Scott Ferguson

    Of the available SS this off season, the only one I’d sign is Hardy. Great defender having a down offensive year, but could be a nice bridge to someone like Rosario in Brooklyn

    • DD

      I would rather see what Matt Reynolds can do in the bigs than spend for J. J. Hardy. I doubt there would be much or any difference in production, and promoting Reynolds would leave the Mets free to spend on a bat for the outfield. Plus it would send the message to the players in the system: play well, you’ll get a chance in Flushing.

      • Patrick Albanesius

        Hardy is a power hitter, but Reynolds has never shown that kind of ability. Granted, Hardy’s power might not translate to Citi, but I’m pretty sure the difference would be noticeable. In my opinion.

  • Wilponzi

    Reynolds is hitting in mid 300’s in Vegas. The Mets will never sign Ramirez or Hardy, to much money, will want long term contract. Lowrie a possible, because SA loves those former A’s. Why not see if Herrera can also play the outfield.

    • Eric

      Why would you play Herrera in the OF?. He doesn’t profile as a corner at all.
      His greatest vslue is in the inf.

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