Ronny Mauricio, Photo by Dan Fritz
MMO Fan Shot By: Bill D’Angelo
Attn: MMO GMs and those who propose trades…
As the trade deadline approaches, here is a factor that I think should be considered: the post-season 40-man roster.
In December, the Mets will have to decide if certain prospects will be added to the 40-man roster, to protect them from the Rule V draft. Obviously, there are limited spots on the 40. How many spots can the Mets afford to have taken by prospects not ready for the majors?
If they are not going to protect a prospect AND think that he MIGHT be drafted, perhaps the Mets MIGHT consider including that player in a trade.
Obviously, the Mets will protect shortstop Ronny Mauricio.
I think the Mets are extremely likely to protect pitcher Tylor Megill, who at this point, is the closest pitching prospect to be excited about.
Will they protect outfielder Adrian Hernandez? My guess is no. Despite his being among the Mets top prospects, he is far away from the majors. I don’t think any team will be want to carry him on their 26-man roster all year. But it’s a risk.
What about infielders Mark Vientos and Carlos Cortes? My guess is that they might be drafted if not protected. Do the Mets “tie up” two more spots on the 40-man? If the Mets think that they might be ready for a call-up in ’22 (even an emergency injury-related call-up), maybe they should protect one or both.
But if the Mets are not planning to add them to the 40 in December, maybe they are prospects that they would be willing to deal, in the right trade?
The Mets have two catchers at Double-A. Both are hitting. Do they protect Nick Meyer or Hayden Senger? Or do they risk losing them in the Rule V draft? Related: if the Mets do plan to protect one, would they be open to including Patrick Mazeika in a deal now. By himself, Mazeika doesn’t have much trade value. But in a package?
There are others, such as reliever Ryley Gilliam, that would be eligible for the Rule V draft, if not protected.
So, as you proposed trades in the comment section, you might want to consider the post-season 40-man roster.
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This MMO Fan Shot was contributed by Bill D’Angelo. Have something you want to say? Share your opinions with the best and most diverse Mets community on the web! Send your Fan Shot to [email protected].
