Yesterday, twitter was over-consumed with everybody's opinion if the Mets and Rockies swiped Justin Turner for Eric Young, Jr. Afterwards it was reported by Jon Heyman, among others, that the Mets were interested in Young but Turner was not part of the discussion. Colorado has continued to have interest in Mets LHP Jonathon Niese and among other players being talked about was Rockies OF Seth Smith.
Turner, though not vital to the future of the team, provides depth at 2B, something the Mets currently do not have. If the Mets planned to add another middle infielder, even as a backup, Turner could certainly be moved. At this point though, he has more value to the Mets than he does for another team, which explains why EYJ is all the Mets would get back. And that doesn't even seem to interest the Rockies.
If you put together the three players that are being talked about: Niese for Smith and Young, the Rockies would make out like kings in the trade. Then, NY fans would question why the Mets would trade a legitimate major league starting pitcher for a forth outfielder and a player who may not even make the team's opening day roster. Now, the only reason the Mets may look to move Niese is to improve the farm system, and neither Smith, nor Young does that. Could this deal be expanded to include a couple of prospects the Mets can use down the road?
First lets go over the two Rockies players. Smith is ok, he would provide major league depth in the outfield. He hit .284 last year with 15 HR and 59 RBI after hitting .246, 17, 52 in 2010 and .293, 15, 55 in 2009 with Colorado. He's more of a corner outfielder but can play center if needed. Young would be a throw in, but as a young utility player he gives the Mets options in the outfield as a defensive replacement and can play 2B to replace Daniel Murphy late in games.
There would have to be more to the trade. While top prospects such as RHP Drew Pomeranz, 3B Nolan Arenado, RHP Chad Bettis, C Wilin Rosario and SS Trevor Story could not be had by the Mets, could the Mets be enticed by some other prospects that could be thrown into the deal?
RHP Edwar Cabrera is an example of a prospect the Mets could get in this trade. He is 23 and has been pitching in high A in the Rockies organization. He is known for his changeup and doesn't throw real hard (low 90s fastball not hard by todays standards)but misses bats and gets way more strikeouts than innings pitched. How would that translate to the majors? His changeup is major league ready, but obviously his strikeout per 9 inning rate would go down considerably as he would have to become more of a groundball pitcher.
The Rockies are set at SS with Troy Tulowitski signed for the next several years and still have Story as a top prospect. Though the Rockies are not looking to trade him, they may be interested in moving Josh Rutledge, a 22 year old SS who was taken in the 3rd round of the 2010 draft. In Modesto (high A) last year, he hit .348 with 9 HR and 71 RBI in 113 games. Rutledge is only ranked 10th on the Rockies list of top ten prospects by Baseball America, so its not like the Mets are taking the best of what they have. If he could be included in the trade, I think it makes it work for all involved. Tie a bow on this trade by including 23 year old Fernando Martinez, sending him to the Rockies because they have the 40 man roster space. And I would also include Rockies minor league cather Beau Seabury, a 26 year old defensive catcher who has not hit much but could spend a couple of years in the Mets minor league system to work with the young pitchers.
So, in conclusion the Mets trade Jonathon Niese and Fernando Martinez to the Rockies for Seth Smith, Josh Rutledge, Edwar Cabrera, Beau Seabury and Eric Young, Jr. Smith is not the deal breaker. In this case, its more about the quantity than the quality which is why the Mets should be able to acquire the five players for the two they are giving up. I think if you can add a young SS prospect and a decent pitching prospect, its enough to move a pitcher like Niese who has proven he can pitch in the big leagues. The Rockies get a pitcher they can control for the next several years and you never know with F-Mart. If he can stay healthy, (he's only 23, I know he seems older) nobody has even questioned his ability to hit. I see both teams being able to benefit in this trade, and that the reason teams trade; to improve both teams. In this case, both teams win.
Turner, though not vital to the future of the team, provides depth at 2B, something the Mets currently do not have. If the Mets planned to add another middle infielder, even as a backup, Turner could certainly be moved. At this point though, he has more value to the Mets than he does for another team, which explains why EYJ is all the Mets would get back. And that doesn't even seem to interest the Rockies.
If you put together the three players that are being talked about: Niese for Smith and Young, the Rockies would make out like kings in the trade. Then, NY fans would question why the Mets would trade a legitimate major league starting pitcher for a forth outfielder and a player who may not even make the team's opening day roster. Now, the only reason the Mets may look to move Niese is to improve the farm system, and neither Smith, nor Young does that. Could this deal be expanded to include a couple of prospects the Mets can use down the road?
First lets go over the two Rockies players. Smith is ok, he would provide major league depth in the outfield. He hit .284 last year with 15 HR and 59 RBI after hitting .246, 17, 52 in 2010 and .293, 15, 55 in 2009 with Colorado. He's more of a corner outfielder but can play center if needed. Young would be a throw in, but as a young utility player he gives the Mets options in the outfield as a defensive replacement and can play 2B to replace Daniel Murphy late in games.
There would have to be more to the trade. While top prospects such as RHP Drew Pomeranz, 3B Nolan Arenado, RHP Chad Bettis, C Wilin Rosario and SS Trevor Story could not be had by the Mets, could the Mets be enticed by some other prospects that could be thrown into the deal?
RHP Edwar Cabrera is an example of a prospect the Mets could get in this trade. He is 23 and has been pitching in high A in the Rockies organization. He is known for his changeup and doesn't throw real hard (low 90s fastball not hard by todays standards)but misses bats and gets way more strikeouts than innings pitched. How would that translate to the majors? His changeup is major league ready, but obviously his strikeout per 9 inning rate would go down considerably as he would have to become more of a groundball pitcher.
The Rockies are set at SS with Troy Tulowitski signed for the next several years and still have Story as a top prospect. Though the Rockies are not looking to trade him, they may be interested in moving Josh Rutledge, a 22 year old SS who was taken in the 3rd round of the 2010 draft. In Modesto (high A) last year, he hit .348 with 9 HR and 71 RBI in 113 games. Rutledge is only ranked 10th on the Rockies list of top ten prospects by Baseball America, so its not like the Mets are taking the best of what they have. If he could be included in the trade, I think it makes it work for all involved. Tie a bow on this trade by including 23 year old Fernando Martinez, sending him to the Rockies because they have the 40 man roster space. And I would also include Rockies minor league cather Beau Seabury, a 26 year old defensive catcher who has not hit much but could spend a couple of years in the Mets minor league system to work with the young pitchers.
So, in conclusion the Mets trade Jonathon Niese and Fernando Martinez to the Rockies for Seth Smith, Josh Rutledge, Edwar Cabrera, Beau Seabury and Eric Young, Jr. Smith is not the deal breaker. In this case, its more about the quantity than the quality which is why the Mets should be able to acquire the five players for the two they are giving up. I think if you can add a young SS prospect and a decent pitching prospect, its enough to move a pitcher like Niese who has proven he can pitch in the big leagues. The Rockies get a pitcher they can control for the next several years and you never know with F-Mart. If he can stay healthy, (he's only 23, I know he seems older) nobody has even questioned his ability to hit. I see both teams being able to benefit in this trade, and that the reason teams trade; to improve both teams. In this case, both teams win.
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