An MMO Fan Shot by Gregg Cambareri
It’s no secret that pressure on the Mets front office has significantly increased since their abysmal 1-7 road trip. It’s left fans, bloggers, and media members calling for “something” to get done. The offense is nearly nonexistent, the defense inconsistent, and a league leading 14 players on the disabled list certainly doesn’t help. So, why hasn’t Alderson and company made a move?
First off, the calendar is still a few days away from July. Until the all star break passes, don’t expect teams to punt their seasons away when we’re still a little short of being halfway through the season.
In fact on Sunday, ESPN’s Buster Olney spoke to several GMs who told him no one is selling yet because last season’s World Series featured both AL and NL 2nd wild card winners.
Many have speculated that the Mets and Reds match up well for a trade. Most rumors have circled around Todd Frazier. Cincinnati, despite being 4 games under .500, had won 15 of their last 25 games entering this weekend’s action, so odds are slim they’d be in sell-mode right now. They also host the All Star game this year.
Frazier is in the midst of a career year, so seeing him potentially play in front of his own fans is something Reds ownership must consider marketable. He is also in the prime of his career and is cost controllable, signing a two year, $12 million dollar pact this past winter. The asking price would be immense, and given Alderson’s unwillingness to part with top pitching prospects, consider a deal for Frazier a pipe dream.
The Mets have also been connected to Oakland’s Ben Zobrist. The A’s have won eight of their past ten, and like the Reds, don’t feel the need to be sellers with the team playing good baseball. Additionally, given Zobrist’s versatility, he is sure to have multiple suitors if a trade were to matriculate. Given Alderson’s unwillingness to outbid other teams, don’t put too much stock in Zobrist wearing orange and blue this season.
Frazier and Zobrist, while unlikely, are at least actual players that are worth discussing because either of them would help the Mets.
What is frustrating is seeing fans and media call for Alderson to “get creative.” I cannot stand this phrase. What and who exactly does “get creative” entail?
If you suggest creativity is necessary, then propose something. Throw some names or teams out there. It’s obvious that the Mets need help given their long list of injuries, but there might not be that much help available, whether we like it not.
Oh, and newsflash, Dillion Gee and Jon Niese do not have the trade value some of you think they have, although Niese is slowly restoring some with his strong June and the Cubs and Dodgers could be interested.
It’s clear that this team needs a bat, but if you want to get something, you have to give something. It seems we lucked out big-time with the R.A. Dickey trade, but those kind of deals don’t come around every year.
Arguably the biggest obstacle in acquiring new talent, at any point, are Alderson’s bosses; Fred and Jeff Wilpon. Last week, ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that perception around the league is that the Mets are not willing to add payroll. And the only number that’s been tossed around by team sources has been $5 million available for any in-season payroll increase.
To the surprise of no one, the Wilpons want payroll to remain relatively unchanged. Unless they can find a way to offload Curtis Granderson or Michael Cuddyer, don’t expect a Mike Piazza like trade this summer. Rumors have floated around Ryan Braun and Troy Tulowitzki in the past, but both are small market clubs who, similar to the Mets, are looking to maintain a payroll in the bottom half of the league.
Patience is a virtue. Although we Met fans have been patient for far longer than we expected or deserve, we might have to grind it out for a few more weeks before we can distinguish who the buyers and sellers really are.
It’s difficult to preach patience with how poorly the team’s offense has performed, but be realistic; there isn’t much available–yet. Once the all star break passes, and the July 31st trade deadline nears, expect the rumor mill to heat up, and by then we’ll know who’s actually available and who isn’t.
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This Fan Shot was contributed by MMO reader Gregg Cambareri. Have something you want to say about the Mets? Share your opinions with over 25,000 Met fans who read this site daily.
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