One player who’s been mentioned as a potential trade target for the Mets is Tanner Scott. In an article that breaks down the relievers potentially available at the deadline, here’s the bit on Scott:
Scott’s walk issues are terrifying, and he’s obviously not a true-talent 1.34 ERA pitcher, but he’s a reasonable fit at the back of a playoff bullpen anyway. His fastball is one of the best in baseball, and his slider isn’t far behind. If Mason Miller doesn’t get dealt, Scott will probably fetch the highest return of any reliever this year. Take last year’s David Robertson trade (in the opposite direction) as a rough comparison: The Marlins can probably secure a high-upside young player plus a bit more in exchange for a dominant half-season of relief.>/blockquote>
Source: Ben Clemens, FanGraphs
It’s interesting that Clemens mentions the Robertson trade, since it happened between these two clubs just a season ago. In return for Robertson, the Mets got two players who were in the Florida Complex League in Marco Vargas and Ronald Hernandez. Vargas was considered the better prospect, being a year younger.
The thought that occurs to me is: Would the Mets consider trading Vargas and Hernandez back to the Marlins for Scott? Like Robertson, Scott is a pending free agent. And with Edwin Diaz here, it’s likely he would only be a rental, one off to a different team where he could be a closer for the 2025 season.
Vargas’ 2024 season has been injury-marred, as he’s currently on the IL, the fourth time this year he’s been sidelined. He’s probably not good enough to be an MLB-caliber shortstop. He profiles more as a second baseman. Meanwhile, Hernandez is a catcher with a pretty good hit tool, if not currently displaying very much in the way of power.
Are two months of a quality late-inning reliever worth two guys who have a legitimate chance to make the majors, at up the middle positions? One thing to consider is that the Mets have several catchers and second base prospects in their system, even if those second basemen are playing other positions right now. You never want to squander assets. But it’s likely that the Mets have the depth to make this deal, should they decide chasing a Wild Card spot this year is in their best interests.
The Mets could use another high leverage reliever in their bullpen. A similar reverse Robertson trade would be very palatable.
Tanner Scott had a high walk rate. He has a 5.6 BB/9 this year and a 5.1 career rate. In high leverage situations, a base on balls issued decreases the success rate. There are better options.
Carlos Estevez (LAA) 2.61 ERA, 0.774 WHIP , 1.2 BB/9
Kyle Finnegan (Wash) 2.45 ERA, 1.017 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and he is arb eligible.
Here’s what Clemens said about Finnegan:
“I think the Nats are going to ask for a borderline Top 100 prospect, get rebuffed, and end up accepting a 40+ FV prospect that they particularly like. My guess is Finnegan will show up as one of the “deals of the deadline” lists but will generally underwhelm on his new team.”
As for Estevez, coming into this season he had a lifetime 3.7 BB/9, including a 4.5 BB/9 in 2023. Can he continue to post a 1.2 BB/9 moving forward? It seems unlikely to me.
Bring me Kirby Yates stat. And if takes Acuna, Vasil, and Nick Morabito to get it done then so be it.
Acuna – .667 OPS on a team with a .786 OPS
Vasil – 5.94 ERA on a team with a 4.43 ERA
Morabito – a singles hitter with a .276 AVG
I don’t think this package is getting you very much, certainly not a guy who just made the AS team.