Anthony asks…
If Mets decide to go to the trade route for OF help what are your thoughts on trying to acquire Jon Jay or Adam Eaton? Eaton is better, but Jay will cost less in trade pieces. If Eaton, he would be the everyday center fielder. Jay could platoon, maybe eventually take over and be supplanted (or re-signed) next year. Who do you think we should or can give up?
Mike replies…
I like this question because it is realistic. It is not a move that would “wow” or excite anyone but, it could be a beneficial move to say the least. We know that the Mets are strapped for cash, or at least they appear to be, so a trade for Jay or Eaton is far more likely than signing Yoenis Cespedes or Justin Upton.
Jay, 31, has a career average slash line of .287/.354/.384, however his play diminished significantly in 2015, posting career lows across the board with a .210/.306/.257 slash, one home run and 10 RBI in 79 games played. Throughout his career, Jay has been extremely steady, but the major dip in play last year is a major cause for concern. Of course, it also means that his trade value has plummeted as well. They could trade a couple of low-end prospects on a gamble to see if they can catch some lightning in a bottle. But I would much rather see Juan Lagares out there each night, instead of watching Jay steal his playing time while hoping for a comeback.
Eaton, on the other hand, just turned 27 this month and is clearly the superior player at this point in his career. Not only is he younger than Jay, he is just better at each facet of the game. Eaton’s slash line last year was .287/.361/.431 with 14 homers, 28 doubles, 56 RBI, 98 runs scored, and 18 stolen bases. He has seen his OPS increase three straight seasons and finished 2015 with a 118 wRC+.
Since he is a more desired player than Jay, that means the White Sox asking price will be significantly higher. Would the Mets be willing to trade some combination of Lagares, Gabriel Ynoa, Brandon Nimmo, or Marcos Molina for Eaton? Or will it require a Steven Matz or Zack Wheeler to get something done?
Keep in mind that Eaton also signed a five-year, $23.5 million dollar extension prior to the 2015 season. So the big question is why would the White Sox trade him after he just gave them the best season of his career and produced a 5.4 oWAR?
I agree that Eaton would be a nice addition for the Metropolitans and he’d immediately become the everyday center fielder, but the cost might be too prohibitive for them.
I would still look to free agency and sign either Denard Span or Gerardo Parra to play center instead. I love the versatility that Parra would bring to the table since he can play center adequately and can also play the corner outfield spots phenomenally. Thanks for the question.
