Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
This offseason is going to be one of the most unpredictable we have ever seen in Major League Baseball, as franchises continue to grapple with the severe financial losses they sustained this season.
Between playing without fans and cutting their season down by over 100 games, team’s have piled up record debts. According to a Sportico’s exclusive interview with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, the league posted staggering debts this year.
“We are going to be at historic high levels of debt,” Manfred said. “And it’s going to be difficult for the industry to weather another year where we don’t have fans in the ballpark and have other limitations on how much we can’t play and how we can play.”
Sportico reports that debts league-wide have totaled $8.3 billion, with operational losses this year coming in between $2.8 and $3 billion.
We have already seen the effects of this altered economy when it came to team options this offseason, as affordable options on players like Brad Hand, Charlie Morton, Darren O’Day, Brandon Kintzler, Kolten Wong and Brett Gardner amongst others.
These surprising decisions have signaled that teams will likely be looking to save and not spend this offseason. This not only opens the door for the Mets to capitalize on a buyer’s market in free agency, but there is also a chance they can find some value on the trade market.
Here are a few contracts that the Mets could absorb this offseason.
Honorable Mentions
There are some star players that could be dealt on the trade market this season, for a variety of reasons. The following is a list of players that could be had in more of a blockbuster trade:
These are star players who have been floated as potential trade chips on the market. While they all have significant salaries for the 2021 season, team’s will be looking for far more than just financial relief in trades.
Alex Cobb, One-year, $15 million
Alex Cobb had a great start to his career, posting a 3.50 ERA across his six seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays. Cobb then signed a four-year, $57 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles and has struggled ever since.
Cobb has pitched to a 5.10 ERA across his three seasons in Baltimore, with injuries limiting him to just 41 starts during that span. If the Mets were to absorb this contract, they could receive a sweetener of prospects in the deal, while betting on a bounce back season for the left-hander.
Carlos Carrasco, Two-year, $24 million (third-year vesting option)
Carlos Carrasco has been one of the most consistent starting pitchers in the American League throughout his career, pitching to a 3.77 ERA across 1,242 1/3 inning pitched. After battling leukemia, Carrasco returned to pitch in 2019, but really returned to form this year.
Carrasco pitched to a 2.91 ERA across 12 starts, with 82 strikeouts in 68 innings pitched. His 157 ERA+ was the best mark of his career, albeit a small sample size.
Lindor is the main trade target Mets fans have their eyes on, but Carrasco arguably fills a greater need for the Mets in 2021. If they ultimately land Lindor, New York should try to acquire the veteran starter in the deal, or just trade for him outright.
Danny Duffy and Salvador Perez, One-year, combined $29.7 million
Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Danny Duffy and Salvador Perez are both on the final year of extensions they signed with the Kansas City Royals, as the only holdovers from their 2015 World Series title.
Perez is the far more attractive trade target of the two, with him coming off a great comeback season. The 30-year-old catcher missed the 2019 campaign due to Tommy John surgery, but didn’t miss a beat in 2020.
The six-time All-Star hit .333/.353/.633, with 11 home runs, 12 doubles and 32 RBI. Perez has won five Gold Gloves in his career, making him a remarkable fit for the Mets as a true two-way catcher.
Perez would require a fairly strong package to acquire on his own, but if the Mets were to take on the sunk cost of Duffy, maybe he could be had for much less.
Duffy has dealt with various injuries throughout his career, never eclipsing 180 innings in a single season. Over the last three seasons, Duffy has pitched to a 4.68 ERA and 1.398 WHIP.
Similar to Cobb, acquiring Duffy would be more about what else you could get in the deal for absorbing his salary. In this case, it would be an outstanding catcher in Perez.
Starling Marte, One-year, $12.5 million
The Mets showed a lot of trade interest in Starling Marte last offseason, but balked at the package the Pittsburgh Pirates wanted to acquire him. Months later, the Miami Marlins traded for Marte at the deadline as the final piece for a team that ultimately broke a 17-year playoff drought.
The Marlins may be planning on keeping Marte on their books for the 2021 season, as they just exercised his $12.5 million team option last week. Still, this is the same team that declined a very friendly $3 million team option for their closer Brandon Kintzler.
There is a chance that Marte could be dangled on the trade market, with Miami looking to recoup some of the value they gave up at the deadline to get him.
Ranking in the 89th percentile for both his sprint speed and outs above average, Marte would provide the Mets with an upgrade defensively in center field, who can still swing the bat.
The question is, what would the Marlins want in a deal with their division rival?
Lorenzo Cain, Two-year, $35 million
Lorenzo Cain will turn 35 years old next season and is still owed pretty significant money for the next two seasons. Still, the center fielder has aged well, winning his first Gold Glove in 2019. In his first two seasons back in Milwaukee, Cain has posted impressive defensive metrics with 40 DRS and 35 OAA.
Cain opted out of the 2020 season after playing just five games, due to concerns over COVID-19. Prior to opting out, Cain recorded six hits in 18 at-bats.
The former Royal has been one of the most consistent players in baseball for the last decade and would be a great addition to the Mets outfield.
Kevin Kiermaier, Two-year, $23.8 million ($13 million club option)
Simply put, Kevin Kiermaier is one of the best center fielders in baseball, providing remarkable value with his run prevention abilities. The three-time Gold Glover has been the franchise player for a Tampa Bay Rays team that just came up short in the World Series, so he may not even be on market.
Still, considering the fact that they just declined a team option for Charlie Morton, you can’t rule out the potential for the small market Rays to trade their most expensive contract.
With Manuel Margot and Austin Meadows already on the roster and capable of playing center field, Tampa may shop Kiermaier.
The soon-to-be 31-year-old is not known for his bat, but he still hit .368/.400/.737, with two home runs in the World Series. The Mets should absolutely make a call to Tampa and see what it would take to land the former Platinum Glove winner.
