I’ve seen a few blog posts out there in which a team analyzes how the recent Tigers-Rangers blockbuster deal impacts their individual team.
For example, how does this deal affect the Boston Red Sox? Or the White Sox? Or the Rockies?
So here’s the Mets’ view of the situation.
Let’s look at the facts: The Mets need a shortstop, and even after the blockbuster deal, the Texas Rangers have t
With Ian Kinsler heading to Detroit, all signs point to Profar moving to second base and Andrus – and his huge contract – remaining at shortstop.wo good ones (Elvis Andrus and Jurickson Profar).
But I’ve been hearing interesting rumors that could affect the Mets in some way. Even after acquiring a big bat in Fielder, the Rangers could be a potential destination to land this offseason’s top free agent: Robinson Cano.
Of course, a few things would have to fall into place for the Rangers to land Cano, the first of which would be a willingness to trade either Profar or Andrus.
Andrus has become a proven commodity at shortstop, but in order to commit at least $200 million to Cano, the team would have to move the bulk of the money due to Andrus, who signed an eight-year, $120 million contract early last April.
If Texas signed Cano, Profar would remain at shortstop, and the Rangers would easily have one of the best infields in the game with Fielder, Cano, Profar and Adrian Beltre.
Enter the Mets, who again need a shortstop. I’d much rather see this team acquire Andrus and take on the bulk of that contract than overpay for Jhonny Peralta or Stephen Drew.
In fact, the Tigers are looking at the possibility of bringing back Peralta to play third base, even though prospect Nick Castellanos is waiting in the wings.
Andrus is only 25 and has put together a good start to his pro career. He’s a two-time All-Star, a consistent base stealer and better offensively than any shortstop the Mets have run out there since Jose Reyes.
Defensively, Andrus has incredible range and one of the best throwing arms in the game. Sure, he’ll make some errors, but he’ll make up for them with turning infield hits into outs.
Andrus looks like a great fit for the Mets, right? Unfortunately, it’s not going to be easy to pry him away from Texas.
First, it’s not a given that Cano signs with the Rangers, especially with the Yankees still heavily involved.
But more importantly, the Mets and Rangers would have to agree to a trade. The only thing the Mets have to trade right now is a few promising pitching prospects.
Back when the Rangers had dominant teams of the mid-1990s, those teams were made up of all hitting and no pitching. But lately, the Rangers have had decent pitching staffs and appear set heading into next season.
Yu Darvish, Derek Holland, Alexi Ogando, Martin Perez and Matt Harrison (return from back surgery) should form the starting five. The team also has promising youngsters Nick Tepesch and Robbie Ross as insurance. Neftali Feliz is also an option as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery, though he might slide back into the closer role with Joe Nathan being a free agent.
So the Rangers’ pitching staff looks good. But catcher and at least one of the corner outfield spots would need to be filled. I doubt the Mets would trade Travis d’Arnaud to get Andrus, and the Mets have their own outfield problems to be worried about.
That’s why, as good as Andrus would look in a Mets’ uniform, let’s not get our hopes up too much.
The most likely scenario is that the Rangers keep Andrus at shortstop and try to sign one or even both of Brian McCann as the catcher and Jacoby Ellsbury as an outfielder.
But if you start hearing rumors that the Rangers’ interest in Cano is intensifying, that would at least mean there could be a light at the end of the tunnel for the Mets potentially making a deal for Andrus.
It’s OK to dream right?
