Author: Frank Caggino
Now that the MLB lockout has finally ended, free agency has resumed. Players and in particular starting pitchers, have been flying off the board. While the Mets signing Max Scherzer improved their pitching staff, the pitchers after him and deGrom all have question marks. Carlos Carrasco had some injuries and even when healthy, did not pitch the way the Mets hoped. Taijuan Walker was an All-Star, and then mostly struggled in the second half of the season. Tylor Megill had mixed results and it is not ideal to depend on a pitcher who will only be in their second season. There are very few decent pitchers left in the starting pitcher market and that is why the Mets should pursue the trade market.
The best starting pitcher left among the free agents is Yusei Kikuchi. Who similar to Taijuan Walker, struggled in the second half of the season and does not have a proven track record. The Mets need someone more reliable if they intend on being a team that competes for a World Series. The trade market has multiple quality pitchers, (I have written about Tyler Mahle of the Reds) and the Oakland Athletics have multiple quality pitchers. Oakland has a reputation of trading their good players and not keeping them long term. The Athletics, want to move on from those pitchers at some point, which is why the Mets should try to acquire one of them. The three pitchers from Oakland that have been rumored to been available are Chris Bassitt, Frankie Montas, and Sean Manea. All three pitchers were healthy and had consistent seasons. The Athletics, also have some valuable portion players that could be moved and the Mets can help replace them.
Matt Olsen is a player whose name has popped up in trade rumors, and if Oakland does trade him, the Mets have a player who could potentially help fill the void. Dominic Smith does not have much of a role in New York, since the team singed Starling Marte, Mark Cahna, and Eduardo Escobar. Robinson Cano will be back this year and will take away some designated hitter reps. Perhaps after Olsen is traded, the Mets can make their deal with Oakland to acquire a starting pitcher for a package that includes, Dom Smith and some other prospects. It is important for the Mets to make a move for the rotation because of how much they have invested.
Having Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer in the same rotation, might be a once in a lifetime thing for the Mets and it can not be wasted. The Mets have the highest payroll in all of baseball and have to ensure that they will be a winning team. The Athletics will not re-sign any of their pitchers and if they are smart, they will trade them and get some value in return. If the Mets are smart, they will be the team to call Oakland.
SPORTS ARE OUR UNIVERSE
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