Sandy Alderson stated that he would have to be “blown away” to deal Bobby Parnell earlier this month, now there is further clarification as to an asking price. The Mets are seeking a top, or a “wheeler type”, prospect in return for their hard-throwing closer reports Jon Heyman via Twitter.
#mets seek a top prospect (a “wheeler type”) for bobby parnell. will not be unhappy to hold onto him.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 29, 2013
As high of an asking price as that may seem, it may not be entirely out of the question to get a significant or even high-end prospect in return for Parnell. The Astros traded Jose Veras, a first-year closer, to the Detroit Tigers for their fourth best prospect, 19-year old Danry Vasquez today. Scott Downs of the Angels was sent to Atlanta for their 2006 first-rounder Cory Rasmus who is having a dominant year in Triple-A Gwinnett.
A relatively young closer like Parnell who is under team control through 2013 and beyond could bring in a substantial return for the Mets, however as Heyman stated they “will not be unhappy to hold onto him”.
