Who killed every Mets executive and took over baseball activities? Seriously, who? The Mets have made two moves that have actually improved this team. The last time that Sandy “the Maverick” Alderson acquired a mid-season piece was back in 2013 when Eric Young Jr. came to Queens in exchange for 2014 ace and 2015 let-down Collin McHugh. Many like to forget that this move actually sparked the ball club, as Young Jr. provided a .353 OBP over the next 42 games en route to a solid 23-19 record, but that’s old news. On Friday, Alderson acquired Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe for John Gant and Robert Whalen. Alderson wasn’t finished, however, as he pulled the trigger on trading Casey Meisner for Tyler Clippard. How effective will these moves be? We’ll see. For now however, all we can do is speculate. Without further ado, let’s grade the cost and product of each trade made by Alderson.
Mets trade John Gant and Robert Whalen:
John Gant:
Gant was one of the weirder cases in the Mets farm system. He was selected as a high school pitcher in Alderson’s first draft in the 21st round. He was never highly touted, but he usually got the job done. He began his professional career in shaky fashion, with a 6.48 ERA in 2011 (8.1 innings) and a 4.98 ERA in 2012 (59.2 innings). However, everything came to fruition during the 2013 and 2014 seasons as he posted sub- 2.90 ERA’s in consecutive seasons. This has been an uneven season for the young righty. He started the season in AA Binghamton with a 4.75 ERA, dominated after a demotion to St. Lucie (1.79 ERA in 40.1 innings), but has since struggled in his return to AA (4.63 ERA in 23.1 innings). The biggest problem that plagued him was his elevated walk rate during his young career: 3.1 BB/9 in five seasons.
Grade: B
Giving up a raw pitcher with potential to an in-division opponent that is known to develop top-tier pitching is risky. However, it was a great cost for either of the two bats the Metropolitans got in return.
Robert Whalen:
Like Gant, Whalen was selected out of high school except in the 2012 draft. He was touted a little bit more with a 12th round pick, but was never thought to be anything special. However, unlike Gant he has dominated minor league baseball from the second he arrived. Since his sole relief appearance in 2012, Whalen has posted sub-2.00 ERA’s over the past two seasons (2013 and 14). This season Whalen was having a solid year with a 3.36 ERA a reasonable WHIP at 1.277. He also struggled with walk rates, but has never been known for striking hitters out. Whalen is still an extremely raw prospect, but there is certainly room for potential growth.
Grade: C
Again, giving up a pitching prospect to the Atlanta Braves is never a good idea- at least it wasn’t the Cardinals, although this time it is worse, because Whalen has demonstrated a better grip for retiring hitters than Gant. Trading Whalen could end up biting the Mets in the rear end, but for now it’s a passable move, because Johnson or Uribe or still worth more.
Mets acquire Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe
Juan Uribe:
Uribe is probably going to go down as the trade deadline steal this season as he possesses a ton of experience and reliable bat. Uribe was victorious in both the 2005 and 2010 World Series (I’m hoping that he wins the World Series every five seasons) while going to the playoffs each of the past two seasons with the Dodgers. During his time with the Braves, he posted a marvelous .285/.353/.464 slash line to go along with great veteran leadership. Uribe also won Sunday’s game with a walk-off single in the 10th inning- so there’s that.
Grade: A-
There is nothing not to like about this acquisition. His bat, leadership, and experience speak for itself. The only thing keeping it from an “A” is the uncertainty of what will happen when/if David Wright returns.
Kelly Johnson:
Everyone’s favorite Brave comes to Queens as Johnson looks to help fuel his former enemy to the playoffs. Johnson was actually having quite the season for Atlanta as a bench player- with a .275/.321/.451 slash line there was nothing to not like. He provides experience with three trips to the playoffs including the past two seasons. More than anything, he will shore up an overused, underperforming bench.
Grade: A
Johnson is a great acquisition for Alderson and the Mets. He provides versatility not found anywhere else (except for Ben Zobrist) at both corner outfield spots and three infield positions. Johnson will provide relief for this team.
Overall Trade Grade: B+
This trade was much needed. It was instantly felt when the Mets pounced on the NL West best Dodgers 15-2 on Saturday and the walk-off on Sunday. The move practically doubled the amount of major league hitters in the lineup and should change the attitude of the club. The only fear is that the Mets gave up two potential middle-of-the-rotation starters for two rental players: to the Braves.
Mets trade Casey Meisner:
Meisner is enormous. He stands 6’7” despite weighing 190 pounds while ensuing fear in opponents. He didn’t always use the height to his favor as he posted an underwhelming 3.75 ERA in 2014- to go along with a 1.364 WHIP. However, his height has served him well this season, with a 2.35 ERA over 111 innings (18 starts). The biggest problem for this guy has been his overwhelming lack of strikeouts for a man his size. To his credit, he has kept his walks, hits, and homeruns down for much of his professional career. The kid has Pandora ’s Box at his fingertips and all he has to do is open it up for his career to take off, but it will be up to him to use his height to his advantage. It will be a tough loss for the Mets
Grade: C-
Keith Law was not happy about this trade and I’m not exactly thrilled either. Law cited his breakout year and incredible future to not be worth 20 innings from Clippard, which is not exactly farfetched. Mesiner is a stud that could end up being a steal someday, but for now he remains another prospect that still has time to develop “bust” status.
A little off topic, but I’d love to know where the A’s stood on acquiring Gabriel Ynoa. He could have been a better alternative for the Mets.
Mets acquire Tyler Clippard
Mets fans have seen a ton of Clippard over the past near-decade. Dominating them in the late innings one night and getting hammered the next, Clippard arrives as a late-inning bullpen piece that could bridge the gap to Jeurys Familia. It’s completely obvious that he has come to provide depth after Jenrry Mejia drops for a potential playoff run. He has always walked a few batters a year, but this season has been the worst of his career with a 4.9 BB/9. He is holding lefties to a remarkable .100 batting average while saving games for an atrocious A’s team. Overall, this is not the biggest move this week, but it should not go unnoticed.
Grade: B+
Thinking about the bridge that this guy could create is mouthwatering. Jenrry Mejia- Bobby Parnell– Tyler Clippard- Jeurys Familia: that’s a dominant bullpen with 149 saves between them. If it reminds anyone of the 2014 Royals, you would be right on the money. Clippard will also likely rid Alex Torres of a major league spot, further making the deal wonderful. The only thing keeping this acquisition from an “A” is his mild inconsistency this season.
Overall Grade: B
Getting rid of Casey Meisner could hurt the Mets 3-4 years from now, but for now Clippard is the much needed arm that can replace Mejia in the playoffs.
Overall, the Mets have had a very successful deadline. This team is basically one move away from solidifying themselves as a legitimate challenger of the Nationals. The Mets shouldn’t get too comfy. With the Nationals getting Denard Span, Ryan Zimmerman, Stephen Strasburg, and Jayson Werth back from the DL soon, it will be quite the race. But with Jay Bruce, Yoenis Cespedes, Andrelton Simmons, Troy Tulowitzki (the ship has sunk on that one), and Justin Upton all having been linked to the Mets, it seems that Alderson is on the brink of something “big” as he calls it. Let’s go Mets!
Fulmer, Nimmo, and Gsellman (type) for Gomez.
Would you do it? Would they?
Yes. I would do it. They should want to do it.
I don’t know about the mats, but, the Brewers are looking specifically for young, top pitching; they have bats.
The Mets had 21 starting pitching prospects in their minor league system (A level and above) that have ERA’s below 4.00 (except those pitching in Las Vegas).They could eventually become major league starting pitchers except that the next opening in the Mets rotation isn’t until 2019. It really didn’t hurt to trade any of the three because the Mets have plenty of replacements. The Mets have not had to trade any position prospects so far. The weak link on the team is still SS or CF ( unless you believe in a rejuvenated Kirk/Lagares platoon).
My grade is an E for effort and a welcome change from the past and looking forward to three months of baseball. LGM
The question isn’t trading them so much as what you get for them in return. Too many rental deals and the Mets would be staring at the 2016 season, trying to fill holes with a shortage of chips.
That’s why I like Gomez. He plays in 2016. Lagares can go get fixed.
Clippard deal looks a million times better with Mejia out of the picture. I’ve officially given up on the kid
Sandy had to know. I’d bet $100 somebody in the main office tipped him off.
BTW, it’s sooo Mets for things to be finally looking up, the fans filled with new hope and positivity, and for it all to crashing to the ground almost instantly.
That’s a rather cynical way to look at it. Then again, if the past few years have indicated anything: you might be right.
i’m very disappointed in mejia. Ever since he had a hernia, and bone chips removed from his elbow, I believe that’s when he began using the peds. I’m beginning to wonder if he would be effective without them.
The clippard deal was a must now that mejia is gone. I think Tyler is a good pick up. I also enjoy the uribe, and the kelly johnson signing.
I would rather give up Meisner than Ynoa. Meisner is still mostly height and possible quality, whereas Ynoa is getting it done in Double-A now. And his K/BB rate is pretty damn good.
As I have been stating ad nauseum, know your GM!!! Once again the bloggers think they know more than the guy who won three consecutive American League pennants and a World Series. Read the book Maverick instead of mocking the title, you may actually learn something about Sandy Alderson. Last season at this time the Mets were about 15 games under .500 and today they are four games over .500 for a plus 19. Oh I forgot Alderson is an idiot in your eyes because he hasn’t “won it all” yet. Do any of you think that no team the past several years hasn’t asked for Harvey, DeGrom, Matz or Syndegaard in a trade? They have and Alderson has wisely turned them down. I give the following grade to the author of this article a D minus for gross ignorance. Don’t bother writing a reply to this post, I never waste my time reading them.
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A rather intemperate remark. Such an attitude deprives one of the fun a site such as this provides to fans.
Surprise! I’m replying even if you claim to “never look at them.” Not only have you clearly not read the article beyond the first three sentences, but you’ve used false facts to justify your immense criticism of my piece. Where do I begin?
1) I supported both of these trades, with much praise. As I’ve also supported 90% of the deals he made during his tenure. So don’t assume I hate the guy.
2) If anything, I’m mocking the use of other bloggers with the term “the maverick.”
3) Last season, through 100 games, the Mets were at 47-53, get your facts straight.
It’s increasingly obvious that you didn’t read my piece, and you’re defending someone so harshly that you’ve never met. Baseball is a game it’s not that important in the grand scheme of life, so don’t take it more serious than yourself.