Jacob deGrom has been the Mets’ most exciting player this season. He’s lit up the radar gun, struck out 144 batters, and put himself in prime position to land the coveted NL Rookie of the year award. But in a Mets’ organization flush with talented arms, is the time to trade Jacob deGrom now?
The Mets have serious holes around the diamond, but even without deGrom, starting pitching will be their biggest strength. Sans deGrom, the Mets will still sport a rotation of Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Dillon Gee, Jon Niese and Bartolo Colon. And that doesn’t even include and up-and-comers Noah Syndergaard, Rafael Montero and Steven Matz. Furthermore, the Mets already have a bullpen stacked with young arms, so there isn’t much room for excess starters.
As I wrote last week, Wilmer Flores has emerged as a significant piece for the future. Additionally, the stellar play of Lucas Duda, Travis d’Arnaud, Dilson Herrera and Juan Lagares show that there is a bright future in Queens. However, the Mets’ outfield play (excluding Lagares) has been nothing short of atrocious. Curtis Granderson, brought in on a $60 million dollar deal last offseason, hit only .230 in 2014 and posted the lowest OPS of his 10-year career. But amidst Granderson’s struggles, Mets’ left fielders have been even worse. The average National League left fielder batted .258, with 17 home runs and 72 RBI in 2014. The Mets’ numbers? A combined .217 average with merely 6 home runs and 45 RBIs. If New York wants to contend in 2015, something has to be done about left field. A platoon of Matt den Dekker, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, and Eric Young Jr. is not the answer.
While both corner outfield spots pose issues for the Mets, Granderson’s contract grants him another shot in 2015. But with a poor free agent outfield class upon us, the Mets will have to address their left field situation via trade. But you have to give something to get something; and right now, there’s no better trade chip with a higher value as Jacob deGrom.
Coming off a stellar rookie campaign, deGrom’s value is sky-high. And with a 96 mph fastball, dirty offspeed pitches, and the poise of a veteran, what team isn’t going to offer a big piece to land the young righty? Jacob deGrom could land the Mets the impact bat they’ve been looking for and he will have the wide appeal that will have several teams trying to outbid each other to acquire him. There certainly won’t be nowhere near as much interest for Colon, Gee or Niese.
Yoenis Cespedes is a perfect target for the Mets, and deGrom may be the key to landing the Cuban outfielder with another minor piece or so to acquiring the young offensive star. Should the Red Sox be unwilling to deal Cespedes, Michael Brantley, and MLB-ready Joc Pederson are also intriguing options.
DeGrom can help the Mets make the playoffs in 2015, but his biggest contribution could be an indirect one. Acquiring someone in the caliber of Cespedes or Pederson could turn left field from a a position of weakness into one of significant strength. Jacob deGrom has been a valuable piece to the Mets this season, but if the front office is smart, they’ll capitalize on his success like they did with R.A. Dickey and fill the glaring hole in left field.
