With the trade deadline set to expire at 4:00 PM today, columnist Joel Sherman reports that one Mets official described interest in any of their as nibbles.
One Mets official described “nibbles” on players, but nothing more serious. And the Mets have decided if they cannot obtain something they feel strongly about for their future, then why trade Marlon Byrd or Bobby Parnell. Outside executives have said the best the Mets could hope for on Byrd is an interested team’s 10th-15th-best prospect because the sport still eyes Byrd with suspicion since he was terrible last year, failed a PED test and has revived in his age-35 season out of nowhere.
He concludes that the Mets may do just as well standing pat and keeping Byrd and Parnell and just try to win as much as possible this year to keep a good vibe with the team and try to sell more tickets.
I don’t disagree with that, but not from the standpoint of selling more tickets. The Mets should try and win as many games as they can because it’s time to foster a winning culture on this team. It’s time for them to take that step from mediocrity to a team that can contend with just one or two more vital pieces.
If Byrd stays, have him come back next season as a 4th outfielder and get that done first. Buy out Parnell’s arbitration years and maybe even one year of free agency. Do it now while he’s still affordable. Start working toward 2014 with your eyes on the prize. Your main cogs to this 3-year rebuild are now here or almost here. Now is the time to stop rebuilding and start refocusing on that dynasty of sustainable success you keep talking about.
