Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanza are still waiting for us months from now in frigid December, but baseball fans may find new gifts in sweltering July as the trade deadline draws nigh.
Technically known as Major League Baseball’s non-waiver trade deadline, July 31 at 4 p.m. marks the cutoff for all 32 teams to report wheeling and dealing to new Commissioner Rob Manfred. Trades happen later in the summer, but expose players to other teams and limit postseason eligibility.
As the All-Star Game – the unofficial celebration of the first half – appears on the horizon for July 14, the Mets are in a position to make some noise at the deadline. New York is a few games over .500 in a division that’s far weaker than expected with a pitching staff that’s better than expected. Popular belief calls on the Mets to trade for hitting, although they could deal bad contracts away or outright sell veterans for yet another rebuilding year.
Regardless of GM Sandy Alderson’s super-secret plans, these are some of the most likely players currently in the franchise to be wearing a different uniform by Aug. 1.
Jon Niese
Head to the local bookie and place a healthy bet on Niese being the only Met traded. Maybe he won’t be the only one, but it’d be startling if he wasn’t out of blue and orange very soon. The 28-year-old southpaw is quietly having a solid year with a 3.58 ERA in 98 innings, although concerns about injuries and questionable stats like a 1.418 WHIP has knocked down his trade value. Financially he’s been worth his five-year/$25 million salary beginning the 2012 campaign, and is likely to be a value for his career-high $9 million guaranteed in 2016.
Bartolo Colon
Colon was the most popular trade deadline candidate back in the off-season. Then the regular season happened and the ageless 42-year-old is possibly on the trade block. A hot start of four consecutive wins has been eclipsed by a mundane 4.46 ERA, although he’s only allowed two earned runs in the last 13 innings. Colon is an innings-eater and a steady veteran presence in a rotation full of youth limited by pitch counts. His assortment of fastballs, rubber arm and solid value for his $11 million walk year make him an attractive addition to the back of a playoff rotation.
Dilson Herrera
His name hasn’t been splashed everywhere, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see Herrera dealt. The 21-year-old second baseman came to New York from Pittsburgh two years ago in the Marlon Byrd and John Buck trade. He profiled as an offensive infielder with a high average, gap power, some speed and adequate defense. Instead, Herrera slashed .195/.290/.317 in 82 at-bats before his demotion. The kid is still very young and shows plenty of potential in the minors, but could be blocked by a Wilmer Flores rejuvenated by a shift to second. Don’t expect Hererra to get dealt, but don’t be surprised either.
Gabriel Ynoa
Ynoa is a young arm, part of the next class of pitching prospects lost in the shadows of Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz. At age 22, he’s been in the minors for a while – five seasons, along with a mediocre arsenal and a 4.06 ERA in Double-A Binghamton. That said, Ynoa is attracting a lot of attention with strong control and limited walks. Another team could gamble on him developing his change and sliders into stronger pitches that accent a low-90s fastball.
Brandon Nimmo
I really don’t like this move as it’s counterproductive, but it’s hard to argue with the buzz going about; Nimmo could get traded as part of a deal this month. At 21-years-old, the centerfielder is hitting for a good average and low power in his second stint with Double-A Binghamton. Power is a concern with the toolsy, yet raw outfielder; he hit 12 doubles, four triples and six home runs in 240 at-bats in Double-A last season. In the field, he has plenty of range but struggles on getting behind some throws. A pessimistic New York squad could move Nimmo to an optimistic team in a deal for Major League hitting.
Rafael Montero
Now the wildcard, Montero was a lock to be traded by the deadline before the season began. Instead, the 24-year-old threw just 10 innings as the swing man before rotator cuff inflammation sidelined him on the DL on April 30. Since then, the meticulously-precise righty remains out of action with unknown symptoms. Montero is known for control and a dominant fastball, and a strong minor league campaign suggests he could refine his secondary pitches enough to be a serviceable Major League pitcher somewhere.
Niese and Ynoa (or any of their similar minor league blocked starters) could bring in Castro from the Cubs.
Choose any two minor league blocked starters to bring in Parra.
Theses players may not be the best aquisitions but they are better than the current starter at that position and they are available. The sooner the Mets bring in reinforcements the better the odds at making the playoffs.
If they want to go all in then I would try to trade Nimmo and his mid .700 OPS for Upton. It would be similar to trading Beltran for Wheeler.
I would be surprised and very disappointed if the Mets trade Dilson Herrera. I believe he has the potential to be a better than average, perhaps All Star caliber, 2bman some time in the next three or four years.
I would much prefer to see the team trade Wilmer Flores who is always going to be a defensive negative and a player with an extremely low OBP. I doubt he has much trade value but if he could be moved to open 2B for Herrera I think it should be done.
It wouldn’t surprise me to see Sandy get a little something for Dillon Gee late in the month when all the good and so-so starting pitchers have found new teams. Those left out might take a flyer on a #5 type starter who doesn’t make big bucks.
Flores is pretty much the most untouchable position player on the Mets right now just so ya know. He’s been a top 50 rated prospect for 3 years by baseball america for a reason. We all seem to forget he’s only 23 years old. So don’t get upset when he’s still on the roster come September.
Sorry, that’s not true. Flores was a BA Top 50 player just once in his career, when he was ranked 47th prior to the 2009 season.
Herrera’s value is pretty low, hence not now;
Niese has his highest value;
Colon has his highest value;
Nimmo has decent value now that he’s in the BA top 50;
Yona has struggled in higher competition, but he can be a reliever that should be effective in short spurts with good control;
Montero is hurt, no value.
May I include Bobby Parnell in your list: a free agent to be that can help someone.
I am getting pretty tired of hearing Nimmo as Raw. He’s been with the team 5 years now which is a quarter of his life practically. It’s time for him to put up or call him bust. By now he should be turning heads like Confronto and he is not.
The only thing Nimmo will be remember for was the player that Sandy Alderson (the man who’s all about pitching) selected one spot before Jose Fernandez. Marlins are quite stoked that the Mets and Alderson passed on this young phenom.
If I were trading with the Mets, I’d look to land Fulmer and maybe one of the arms in A-ball.
I still don’t see this organization trading a cost-controlled Nimmo to take on salary. Just doesn’t seem at all consistent with what SA has been working to achieve. He’s got a lot invested in Nimmo.
I doubt the Mets trade any position players, but I think you’ve done a great writeup of the strengths and weaknesses of each player.
Didn’t say I agree with it, although I’d be ok dealing Herrera in the right deal, just hearing Nimmo’s name in rumblings.
Robby, totally agree abiut Nimmo, although he’d make for great backpage headlines “Finding Nimmo,” “Captain Nimmo,”…