Echoing what he told us last week, Mets GM Sandy Alderson said today that there is no movement on the trade front as of yet.
He does not expect to fill any significant needs before the deadline.
Last week, Alderson said not to expect any sweeping changes before the deadline.
This shows a measured approach by someone who is walking a tightrope right now.
I still believe he will not pull the rug out from under the team while they are playing well, despite the fact he’s done that in the past.
He realizes the need to work on the fan’s perception of him and that he means it when he says he wants to win. Last week, Jeff Wilpon said that he expected the Mets to be in a better place and much more competitive after three years under Alderson, but still believes in him.
We’ll see what happens, but I’m sticking to my guns and maintain that Marlon Byrd will still be with the Mets on August 1st.
Original Post 7/16
Sandy Alderson spoke to reporters today and Adam Rubin of ESPN New York summarized what he had to say about the upcoming trade deadline, where he sees the team now, and what the offseason holds.
To begin, he does not foresee any sweeping change coming to the Mets before the July 31 trade deadline, but it is impossible “opportunities may present themselves” between now and then.
“I don’t see it looking substantially different, but one or two players can make a difference one way or the other. So I just can’t predict that. But I think we are in a position these days where we’re thinking more inquisitively than we have in the past.”
Alderson values Byrd as between Carlos Beltran and Scott Hairston as far as a potential return goes, but sounded cool on moving him.
“Marlon maybe is a little more of an everyday guy, which makes him more central to what we’re doing. We don’t have anybody we have to move,” Alderson said. “…it has to be a material advantage in talent for us to do that. Is that going to happen? I don’t know.”
He suggested there have not been substantive trade discussions yet, mostly probing.
“The bottom line is I don’t know what the market is going to say.”
Regarding the offseason, Alderson said the Mets will be in position to spend this winter, although fewer and fewer marquee free agents are becoming available in recent years, so taking on contracts via trade may be the route.
We’ve heard this before about free agency and my go-to line has always been that paying market value is not in their DNA.
My predictions:
1, Marlon Byrd and Bobby Parnell are still with the Mets on August 1.
2. Daniel Murphy could be on the move, but don’t expect more than a bullpen arm.
3. Mets will show interest in some of the top end free agents this winter, but nothing will transpire.
4. Mets will try to trade for a top shelf MLB player, but the competition will be stiff and if a bidding war ensues they’ll look to acquire mid-level players instead.
