David Groveman made an interesting observation, in that the total dollars owed David Price and Robinson Cano are very similar. Price is owed $96 million the next three seasons, while Cano is owed $96 million over four years, not counting the $15 million offset from Seattle. Could those two be the starting point for a trade between the two clubs?
My opinion is that the Mets would have to sweeten the pot considerably to make it attractive for the Red Sox. Price didn’t have a particularly good year but it’s not like the Sox have starting pitching to burn. And with Chaim Bloom rather than Dave Dombrowski in charge now in Boston, the way to sweeten it is with young guys rather than veterans.
The Red Sox would shed salary in this deal, both from an Opening Day and 40-man payroll points of view. So that makes it at least interesting for them to consider, if not pull the trigger. Boston has run Opening Day payrolls north of $230 million the past two seasons, roughly $30 million over the tax threshold. Conversely, it would add $7 million to the Mets’ CBT payroll.
Without knowing their minor league system or injured player status, it appears that the Red Sox have spots to play Cano at either 1B or 2B. And if J.D. Martinez opts out of his contract, that would open up DH, too.
My guess is that Boston would want pitching back in this deal. And not just any pitching, but a high-upside hurler.
Price is one season removed from a 16-win campaign and while last year was injury-shortened, his peripherals still paint a worthwhile starter, as he had a 3.62 FIP last season. He had wrist surgery in late September but is expected back for the start of Spring Training.
It’s my belief it would take something like Cano, Matthew Allan and Dominic Smith to get the job done, assuming that Cano would waive his no-trade clause, which is a big assumption. But let’s pretend that he would.
Getting Allan last year in the draft was a major coup for the Mets. We’ve seen previously that Brodie Van Wagenen had no problem trading young guys acquired by Sandy Alderson. Would he feel the same about his own guy? Would the upgrade from Corey Oswalt to Price be enough to make it worthwhile for a guy in “win now” mode? And would he be willing to move on from his pal Cano?
But forget Bloom, Cano (Price does not have a no-trade clause) or Van Wagenen. What’s your take on this potential deal?
Would you trade Cano/Smith/Allen for Price?
- No, the extra salary doesn't work (65%, 88 Votes)
- Yes, anything to get rid of Cano (35%, 48 Votes)
Total Voters: 136
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we already spoke but I’m not inclined to trade anything of our distant future to get rid of a GM mistake. If Boston would accept Stroman + Cano for Price I’m 100% on board.
If one wants to get fully into the weeds, they can try to craft a Met return for a Cano + Syndergaard deal.
No thanks. Ill swap a bad for bad contract, but Cano isnt so bad that adding Price and losing even more talent than already has been lost is worth it.
Id make Cano an 80 game starter and bench bat.
I’m not giving away the few pieces we have for the distant future after clearing the cupboard of short-term talent. If someone wants Cano, they can have him, but not Cano+talent. They need to have some talent to field a team after the almighty Brody is canned for poor performance.
I might consider it straight up, but wouldn’t add anyone with future value. Straight up it could possibly make sense for both teams. As Brian mentioned the Mets would be taking on more salary, but it would clear it out a year sooner. It would also be trading from an excess (2nd baseman) for a need (starter). For Boston it would free up a little salary and give them a 1st or 2nd baseman. Honestly, I’d rather re-sign Wheeler and leave it at that.
I got all excited about the trade one-on-one. But the cost of another top prospect was too much for me. Of course I was with the majority. Now throw some other talent around moving in both directions makes this an interesting story.
Nothing will bring Kelenic back and he will hang over us for decades like Nolan Ryan 🙂
Boys, seems like we are stuck with our boat anchor Robbie Cano. The Sox need pitching so I dont see them doing this deal.
The only way I would do a trade and include prospects is if they took Cespedes too
There’s no reason why Robbie can’t put up a Jeff Kent age 37 season next year. Not saying he will, but it is certainly possible. Yes, he’s better suited for an AL contender, and any legit trade should be considered, but given that he would need to sign off, it is unlikely. I certainly wouldn’t throw in any additional assets to get out from under the money.
I’d trade away my soul if it meant getting Cano off the team.
The guy is a disgrace and embarrassment.
Expand on Harper’s deal and include Dom Smith and JBJ.