Welcome to BF&N David Brindle…
With the New York Mets’ season slipping further into mediocrity as the trade deadline approaches, there are sure to be inbound calls aplenty at the Citi Field offices.
After a sensational 11-1 start, Mickey Callaway’s debut season as manager hasn’t gone to plan – and the trades that now may be in the pipeline were almost certainly not the plan before the season began.
Rumours are circulating about the majority of the Mets rotation attracting interest. Their availability wasn’t shut down, but instead welcomed – as long as the deal was a big one.
The analogy used by a club official, according to the New York Post, was that any deal for Jacob deGrom would be worth ‘six donuts’, adding “three donuts probably isn’t going to get it done.”
deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler all have suitors chasing them if you believe the papers.
Jacob deGrom’s performances this season have been ridiculous. A 1.69 ERA from 101.1 innings pitched and 126 strikeouts (as of 30th June before his start vs. Miami). It’s no wonder he’s linked with the other team in New York.
The deGrom to the Yankees rumour began to gain ground right before the first Subway Series of the season, which is suspicious timing in terms of reliability and stinks of the media trying to stir it up ahead of the two NY clubs clashing.
The Yankees would almost certainly be interested in deGrom, but would they be willing to give up Gleyber Torres or Miguel Andujar in return? No chance.
As for Syndergaard, he’s been on the DL since May 30th with a strained ligament in his right hand and hasn’t played since. He was set to return against the aforementioned Yankees, but didn’t due to a setback.
He looks set to begin a minor league rehab assignment soon after pitching two-and-a-half innings on Friday 29th June, but he may not pitch for the Mets again if a trade offer is made with enough ‘donuts’.
The Wheeler trade rumours are relatively new, but go hand-in-hand with the Mets laissez-faire attitude about doing trades.
The Mets, it seems, are growing frustrated with Yoenis Cespedes’ injuries. Make the Mets an offer for him, and they’d probably snatch your hands off. I doubt the phone calls will involve Yo’s name, though.
With Sandy Alderson stepping down from his general manager role at the Mets to focus on recovery from cancer (all the best, Sandy), a new trio are in charge of the front office – and they could want to stamp their mark early by making big changes. Those big changes could include trading their big pitchers.
Brandon Nimmo was recently quoted as saying the club’s form wasn’t a ‘fair reflection’ of Callaway’s leadership.
He might be right. He might be wrong.
He might not be there to help Callaway if another club makes the right offer for the outfielder. Besides, somebody has to make way for the inevitable Tim Tebow call up in September.
That’s where the Mets stand heading into the month before the deadline. Anyone’s available – for the right price. And that right price, it seems, is six donuts.