Welcome back Todd Frazier. Robinson Chirinos a little too late, Miguel Castro has to be an improvement in the bullpen. However, Brodie Van Wagenen did it again. 

Again, the GM was active at the trade deadline. He said, “We are far from quitting this season.” 

Yeah, there are four weeks remaining. The Mets are within reach in a division that can be won. They are in reach to qualify as one of those eight postseason teams out of the NL. 

You would never know, though, that the Mets will be one of those teams after the last four games. But, Brodie thinks differently. So, again, at the deadline, he makes the moves.

And once again, the Mets get some reinforcements. Except, again, two of the three that come to Flushing are past their prime. Frazier, 34, and  Chirinos, 36, obviously the reinforcements for an injured JD Davis and as the backup to Wilson Ramos.

Frazier, is a  welcome and returned addition to the clubhouse. Chirinos,  no longer an everyday player,  and both with club options. Miguel Castro, 25, under club control until 2022, and throws hard.

Yes, Frazier and Chirinos provide the bench with more right handed reinforcements. But that age is on their side, and with a history of injuries that seem to always hidner the Mets.

Time will tell where this trade rates. Brodie Van Wagenen, possibly a lame duck, is under the radar.  Steve Cohen, the pending new owner,  had to be observing this move from the sidelines.

Have to believe this could be the last chance for Brodie. 

But here it is. Once again, the Mets got older. They did not get younger and all you have to do is take a look at the standings. The San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays, younger, and structured with that player development system that has propelled them to contention in this weird 2020 baseball season.

Monday, though, the Padres, and with a rich line of prospects parted with seven in trades. The key was obtaining Right-hand pitcher Mike Clevinger from the Indians.

The Padres, are in the now we can win it mode. The Mets, still with a  mentality of winning now. But it is more likely to be that fight to the finish for the Mets as they continue to be inconsistent.

The Padres sacrificed, but the prospects are not under that MLB ready category, and won’t have an impact anytime soon as minor league systems have been shut down. 

The Mets, and more so under Brodie, give away another prospect. Castro comes from the Orioles, a team that is rebuilding. In return, Brodie sacrificed another prospect, 23-year old lefty Kevin Smith drafted in the seventh round of the 2018 draft.

A high ranking NL scout, with knowledge of Smth said, “Average fastball with remarkable command. Will be an asset when he gets the opportunity.”

So here we go again. Brodie, though, this time did not sacrifice more than one prospect to obtain Castro. And it’s easy to understand that the Mets prospect list is very thin.

Attribute an exodus of prospects, pitchers in particular, to obtain that player or two that would get the Mets over the hump and play baseball in October.   

And under Brodie are these moves. It hasn’t worked outside of the Davis deal with the Astros. 

Brodie said Monday, “We wanted to make sure that we were looking in a way to continue to keep our business model in place which is contested right now, and also not lose sight of what the short-term and long-term future is for the organization.” 

Okay, the short-term and the long-term. 

Photo by Ed Delany, MMO

Justin Dunn, Anthony Kay, Simeon Woods Richardson and Jordan Humphreys.  You remember, prospects and homegrown like deGrom Harvey, Matz.

Dunn, with the Mariners, threw six scoreless innings Sunday. Kay has a 2.93 ERA with the Blue Jays. Regardless, young and the prospects that are used as the same formula put into play with the Padres and Rays.

Prospects that are sacred and important in winning, pitching in particular, that is such an important commodity.

A great baseball man, the late Tom “T-bone Giordano”  who was at the highest levels in the game for over 70 years, veteran front office scout scout with the Orioles, Rangers, and Braves  would always say two things about trades.

 “No one is untouchable, if they have what you want, make the deal and that if you want filet mignon you have to give up filet mignon.” 

The other, “They are just prospects. Some may turn out good and some may turn out bad. Get what you need to win now.”

Brodie Van Wagenen? He gave up another prospect. The Mets got some needs with that feeling they can win now. This time, though, the GM can’t  afford to be a loser with this deal.