My boss recently introduced me to the acronym CASE, which stands for Copy And Steal Everything. It’s not meant to be taken literally; it’s a reminder not to reinvent the wheel when you don’t have to and instead use your time better.
If you owned the Mets and instructed your GM to copy and steal everything in terms of building a consistent winner, you might point him towards the success of the turn of the century Braves and more recently the Cardinals and Giants. Those are three clubs that consistently made the postseason and rarely (if ever) did they accomplish things just by having the top payroll.
So, it’s hard not to take notice when two of these clubs – the Braves and the Cardinals – got together to execute one of the most fascinating trades of recent vintage. In a four-player swap, the Braves sent Jason Heyward and Jordan Walden to the Cardinals for Tyrell Jenkins and Shelby Miller.
As mentioned earlier, the Braves had two players coming up for free agency following the 2015 season and their economic reality made it unlikely they would be able to keep both of them. So, they decided to trade Heyward rather than keep him for another season and lose him for draft pick compensation. Atlanta was expected to compete for the division title in 2014 but instead finished below .500 and tied with the Mets. This trade was a tacit acknowledgement that they were not looking to compete in 2015.
Contrast that with how the Mets operated with some recent stars about to enter their walk year. First was Jose Reyes, who was allowed to leave for draft picks. Then there was Carlos Beltran, who was dealt in mid-season. And finally there was R.A. Dickey, who was traded while still having a full season remaining on his contract. While there are a score of different factors to weigh in each of these three cases, it’s hard not to notice that the Mets received the best return when they traded a guy (Dickey) with a year remaining.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals dipped into their pitching reserves and pulled the trigger to bring in a guy even though he was an impending free agent. It’s a win-now move. Perhaps this was an easier play for the Cardinals to make, as they have a history of re-signing guys in a similar situation, such as Jim Edmonds, Matt Holliday and Mark McGwire, among others. Still, they run the risk of losing a former top prospect in Miller for just one season of Heyward.
The untimely death of Oscar Taveras pushed a deal of this type on St. Louis. But the takeaway should be that when circumstances dictated it, they were not hesitant to trade young controllable assets to fix a gaping hole in their roster. Will it work? Only time will tell but the fact that they’ve been to the playoffs in 11 of the last 15 years means we should probably give them the benefit of the doubt.
The presence of Carlos Martinez makes it easier to deal Miller for the Cardinals, and the Mets should approach things in a similar fashion. The presence of deGrom, Harvey, Montero and Syndergaard should make trading one of those guys in the right deal a tolerable risk.
Now to find the right deal.
Technically, the Dickey deal was a trade for a 3 year player, because the trade was contingent on Dickey signing an extension.
I like the idea of trading for one of the Seattle SS or Elvis Andrus. Andrus has a big contract, but if he’s traded he can opt out in 2018, when he’s 29. He’ll definitely do that, which makes it a shorter term deal. Any one of Miller, Andrus or Taylor, would improve the IF D. Trade Murphy, slot Flores in at 2nd, and away we go.
There’s not even a remote chance Andrus is opting out of that deal.
Name, one would figure…
But, every year we all thing that several players will take the QO, but none do. With Boras as his agent, Andrus would.
QO is a different animal than this opt out. No players likes to play on a 1 year deal. Andrus opting out would be leaving 4 years and $60 million on the table. The Rangers presumably gave him the contract thinking that he would improve offensively, but in the 2 years since, he’s regressed in almost every facet of his game.
Even if there is a chance he’ll opt you, you have to assume he won’t if you trade for him.
Makes sense, conservatively speaking. I like Andrus quite a bit for his defense and ability to lead-off, but the average has to get better.
I’m looking across town and thinking the Yanks need pitching and they need to fill 3B & 2B. I’d like to see some exploration around Getting Brett Gardner- perhaps in exchange for one of our pitchers and Murph? Other players in the deal possible. Murph is FA after next year- Gardner with reasonable contract through 2018 w/ 2019 option… This would give Mets a lot of flexibility in the OF and a somewhat legit leadoff batter who has a complete game.
I like this deal a lot. Could you imagine the defense with Gardner and Lagares out there? I would love to be a pitcher if this were my outfield. Only thing is what happens if Duda starts? Do you sit out Granderson, Gardner or Cuddyer? That would be a worry if this deal were to happen, but regardless, I’d love to have Gardner on the team.
Three words: pitches per plate appearance. It’s not the most important stat in the game but it is vastly underrated, especially at the top of the lineup. Gardner has been one of the top players in that stat throughout his career. I’ve long wished the Mets would pursue him. Unfortunately, I think the yankees know his value and we’re not looking for any new outfielders.
It’s late, that should read 4 words.
I agree. We need to be in the process of continually working to improve at all scales and through all means. Presently SA has not shown any aptitude to “trade up.”
Why leave out of the trade option Wheeler Brian?
Simple oversight — he should be on the list, too.
It appears the Mets are on the cusp of being a playoff team. They have spare parts in the starting rotation, second base and in the bullpen. They lack an above average major league shortstop and a right handed back up outfield bat. Three players, Murphy, Colon, Parnell will be free agents at the end of 2015 and they are not good enough for a qualifying offer. Murphy should be moved this winter and Colon and Parnell by at least the 2015 trade deadline.
A (Wheeler or Syndergaard ) with a (Mejia or Parnell) may start the talks for Castro. Ramirez for (Gee or Niese or Colon) and a prospect may start the conversation. Niese or Gee for Brad Miller works also.
Finally, what would it take to get Scott Van Slyke from the Dodgers. He hits all pitching as he has 20 homeruns in just 455 career at bats. In 2014 he was second in the majors in RC+ vs lhp with a 195. He is 6th on the Dodgers outfield depth chart because of circumstances.
There is no excuse for the Mets not to trade and improve the 2015 roster.
I don’t remember where I read it but the Dodgers are looking to unload Crawford and Eithier to make room for Pederson and have Van Slyke as their 4th outfielder
The new GM wants to keep Van Slyke because he’s cheap and good. The ones they want to dump are Ethier and it seems Kemp rather than Crawford.
I’m sorry, but Wheeler/Syndergaard and Mejia/Parnell for Castro seems steep. I would pass.
Castro is a consistent 3 fWAR player with pop at a defensive position. His glove is below average, and he’s had personality issues in the past. Wheeler and a reliever makes sense, although I don’t know if it needs to be Mejia. Parnell isn’t an option to be traded until he shows he’s healthy.
Problem is that what most would consider a “right” deal doesn’t necessarily equate to what Alderson deems fair. Perhaps for fear of making a bad move he prefers just to sit on his hands (for as we all know sometimes the best deals are the ones you don’t make). We don’t know what the inner circle at Citifield has in mind for an upgrade. But it would be nice to see after how many years Reyes is not our SS that a suitable replacement is found in this decade.