With Neil Walker set to hit the open market at the end of the season and Gavin Cecchini failing to live up to first round expectations, the future at second base for the Mets is a big question mark.
In a report by Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the Miami Marlins are likely to be selling in the coming weeks and will listen on offers for second baseman Dee Gordon.
Gordon, 29, would immediately improve the Mets defense at second (+9.4 career UZR) and would give the Mets a true lead-off hitter they have lacked since Jose Reyes‘ first stint with New York ended.
The second baseman is making $7.8 million the rest of this season and has three more guaranteed years and $37.9 million remaining on a five-year deal he signed before the 2016 season. There is also a $14 million team option for 2021.
In 85 games for Miami this season, Gordon has hit to a .295/.342/.358 clip with 32 stolen bases, a .309 wOBA and 88 wRC+ in 85 games played.
While his advanced metrics float around league average to below average, you can attribute that to his lack of power. Gordon has zero home runs this year and had just four in his best season which came back in 2014.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals have all checked in with the Marlins for the infielder’s services ahead of the non-waiver trade deadline at the end of the month.
The Mets, who sit at 39-47 will, like Miami, sell in the coming weeks. But Gordon could be a valuable asset to help sure up the infield the next several seasons.
Beyond Cecchini, the Mets don’t have a lot of options at the keystone down in the farm. Cecchini is a former first round pick but has yet to flourish into the player the Mets thought they were getting when they drafted him.
Walker has been solid for the New York this season, posting a .349 wOBA, 118 wRC+, a .270/.352/.468 slash line and nine long balls in 60 games on the campaign, but has endured significant injuries in his two seasons with the Mets.
The 31-year-old underwent back surgery that prematurely ended his first year as a Met in 2016 and is currently on the disabled list after he partially tore his hamstring several weeks ago.
“Second baseman of the future” Dilson Herrera was traded away a year ago for Jay Bruce, and players like T.J. Rivera and Wilmer Flores can slot into second, but would work as nothing more than a band-aid for a problem that ultimately needs to be fixed.
Then there’s Asdrubal Cabrera, who will likely have his option picked up by New York, but has outwardly spoken of his distaste for manning the position. That compared with his lack of range, -4 DRS at second and lingering injury problems doesn’t project well as an everyday man over a full season.
Maybe most importantly, however, Gordon would arrive at a time when the Mets are about to call up two young infielders, Amed Rosario and Dominic Smith. Gordon would lead the infield, taking pressure off the new guys while providing Gold Glove-caliber defense.
When Jose Fernandez died in September, it left a gaping hole in the Marlins rotation. Miami has the third worst ERA from starters in baseball, sitting at an even 5.00, behind only the Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati Reds.
Do the Marlins turn down a deal where they get let’s say Steven Matz and Cecchini for Gordon?
Matz has been one of the Mets fiercest competitors when he’s healthy, but that’s one thing Matz has yet to master; staying on the field.
The 26-year-old southpaw appeared in 22 games for New York last season, pitching to a 9-8 record with a 3.40 ERA, 3.39 FIP and 8.8 K/9. However, Matz was sidelined yet again to begin this season and while he has been good as of late, his dip in strikeouts is cause for concern. The Long Island native would immediately bolster the Marlins rotation and taking a chance on Cecchini could be appealing to Miami.
Obviously trading Matz away is daunting – after all, when he’s at the top of his game he’s very effective, but acquiring Gordon fills a need for New York without compromising the entire pitching staff.
What say you, Mets fans?
