MLB.com reporter Phil Rogers speculates that if the Mets were to consider dealing infielder Wilmer Flores, they may have a couple of willing trade partners in the San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox. He writes:
“Remember when no one thought the Mets had one shortstop? They’ve got three now, since signing Asdrubal Cabrera a few days after Terry Collins said Tejada and Flores would compete for the everyday job. Teams like the Padres and White Sox are still exploring shortstop options, so maybe there’s a deal to be made for Flores, who raised his stock after Chase Utley took Tejada down in the National League Division Series.”
Here’s the thing. Whether you believe or agree with the strategy, the Mets have spent the entire offseason dodging questions about adding a significant star-quality bat by professing a philosophy of depth and versatility.
When the Mets signed Asdrubal Cabrera to a two-year deal right after they traded for Neil Walker, it put Wilmer Flores in exactly the position the Mets have always envisioned for him. – that is becoming the team’s super utility player who can cover all four infield positions, and give them a potent bat against left-handed pitching.
The other important factor to note is that for now, Flores may be the only insurance the Mets have at third base to cover David Wright when he’s going to need a game or two off. While both Walker and Cabrera said they’d play third in a pinch if needed, it’s been years since either of them fielded the position, and they’ve played just 16 games combined at third base in their big-league careers.
What exactly is Flores’ trade value? In my opinion it’s not more than the value he currently gives the Mets. In other words, I don’t believe there’s a team who who view Flores with as much value as we do.
Apparently Phil Rogers believes there are teams out there who view Flores as an everyday shortstop, and particularly the White Sox who are still in play for bringing back Alexei Ramirez, and the Padres. It’s a bold statement considering the team that knows Flores best have never viewed him like that. Although, I felt Flores did make some great strides defensively
Flores, 24, batted .263 with a .403 slugging percentage last season, with 22 doubles, 16 home runs and 59 RBI in 510 plate appearances.
Let’s say you could deal Flores for a right-handed reliever, what happens next? Are we back to Eric Campbell (who continues to occupy space on the 40 man roster) and Ruben Tejada as our bench guys? There goes that whole “we’re not cheap, we’re just focused on depth” argument.
Unless Flores is part of a bigger deal for a significant addition – a difference maker – I don’t see the logic in dealing him now while his value is greater to us than anything we’d likely get back in return.
