The Mets have a number of glaring concerns in terms of the roster. Namely: Left Field, Center Field and Right Field. Sure, they have issues with the starting pitching but there is depth to recover on that front.
The Yankees now have a growing number of concerns. Their starting 3B (Alex Rodriguez) is hurt and may never play in the field again, Mark Teixeira is hurt and will be out 8-10 weeks and Kevin Youkilis is not known for being a paragon of physical health.
This leads be to wonder if the team in Queens could scratch the back of the team in the Bronx for some reciprocal back-scratch-age.
Yankees Need: Players who can play 1B and 3B. They’d prefer a righty bat and would want a player who could eventually shift into a utility position if/when the stars get healthy.
Met Solutions:
Daniel Murphy – Daniel Murphy is returning from a minor injury but plays okay defense at 1B, 3B and 2B. He IS a lefty which is a strick against him, but he IS also a proven MLB hitter which is a major tick in his favor. He is contact oriented so assuming the Yankees got healthy he should still succeed in a role off the bench.
Zach Lutz – Lutz is an interesting option for the Yankees who currently are not worried about 1B and 3B being blocked (like the Mets). Lutz has been one of the better Met players in Spring Training thus far and he can, at best, become a bench player on the Mets. He has power and is a righty, so he might make a lot of sense to the Yankees.
Josh Satin – Equally interesting is Josh Satin whom I’ve described as a future AL bench player extraordinaire. He plays 1B, 3B and 2B and hits righty but his major asset is his eye. His MASSIVE eyebrows must give him the confidence to take pitches because he’s seriously talented in terms of OBP. I think he’s actually the ideal target for the Yankees as he’s got no defined role on the Mets and could immediately help the Yanks.
Mets Need: Upgrades over any of the starting outfielders they have. They’d love to get a leadoff hitter but would settle for anyone who was better than Lucas Duda, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Collin Cowgill, Marlon Byrd or Mike Baxter.
Yankee Solutions:
Adonis Garcia – Garcia is already 28 and hasn’t played above AA but he’s a Cuban player. Regarded as the ultimate utility player, Garcia can play the outfield or infield. He’s supposed to have a quick bat and scouts expect him to be a 15-20 HR hitter in the majors. The issue is that he was signed to a significant contract and one might imagine that the Yankees still have plans for him.
Zolio Almonte – Almonte is another story. He’s 24 and coming off a very successful full season in AA. The switch hitter blasted a significant 21 HRs in Trenton as well as picking up 15 SBs. In 2013 the Yankees likely planned to promote Zolio to continue splitting time in the AAA outfield between CF and RF. The Mets could likely give Almonte the nod to start in the majors or, at least, come up in short order.
Slade Heathcott – Heathcott would be a stretch. He was a first round pick for the Yankees back in 2009 and while he hasn’t exactly caught fire, he just turned in 60 impressive games in A+ ball as a 21-year old. Heathcott would likely cost more than one of the players listed above and he’s not exactly “major league ready” but he’s got talent and plays in the outfield.
I’m not trying to give specifics here. I’m not saying that the Mets NEED to trade with the Yankees or that either team would agree to a swap (be it Murphy for Almonte or some other combination). There is simply opportunity for the Mets and Yankees to help one another solve one another’s problems.
The prospect of dealing Lutz or Murphy for outfield help makes sense. I like the idea of looking to deal one of the two of them, but I’m not sure if the Yankees would make the best partners. Almonte is the most intriguing of the bunch that you mentioned, but if I were Sandy Alderson I’d be a little worried about his lack of health, he’s only played more than 69 games once, and it was last year.
Almonte is the only one who we could reasonably ask for in a deal of 1 for 1. (They might still say no) The others would cost an additional prospect but might have a greater impact on the team moving forward so they might be worth it.
Health is always a concern.
I think Murph’s injury might prevent him from being traded.
I think he will be back but Lutz and Satin make more sense for the Yankees.
Amazing I was just thinking the same thing when I read about Tex’s injury. But you should add Duda at the top of the list. A first base man who can DH as well. With the right field porch in Yankee Stadium Duda could conceivably hit 30 home runs and add a much needed bat to their line up. In return? That’s the question. I always liked Brett Gardner to play center field and lead-off and since he ‘s under contract until 2915 why not?
I have fallen out of love with Duda’s bat he just isn’t a solid enough hitter to DH and the Yankees would want more for Gardner than what we have outlined here.
Who could the Mets add to make the trade more equitable? I too feel that with a change in scenery and with a hitters ballpark like Yankee Stadium Duda might have better results.
I would start by adding Montero but I don’t think we could get them to bite. They need Gardner right now
Ichiro could always play center and lead off until Granderson comes back.