Rival Government Predicts Mets Will Be ‘Surprising Player’ at the Deadline

When Brodie Van Wagenen spoke with the media on Monday, he alluded to a peaceful trade deadline for the Mets this year. BVW pointed to the uncertainty thanks to COVID, the expanded playoff discipline and the shortened period as motives why most groups (such as the Mets) would be hesitant to make a shift at the August 31st deadline.

Yet according to a recent write-up by the Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Mets may possibly not be so tranquil at the deadline just after all. In actuality the posting (which was roundup of Rosenthal’s reporting from close to the league), started out off as follows:

“A rival government predicts the Mets will be a “surprising player” at the trade deadline, reasoning the crew obtained financial versatility when proper-hander Marcus Stroman and outfielder Yoenis Céspedes opted out of the 2020 time.”

With the opt-outs of impending free agents Marcus Stroman and Yoenis Cespedes, the Mets saved $6.5 million of their 2020 allotted payroll. The report also notes that Cespedes was on monitor to gain an extra $6.67 million in plate appearances tied to incentives. If a group was wanting to dump salary in this anomaly of a season, the Mets could theoretically acquire on that expenditure.

“Other executives anticipate Mets common supervisor Brodie Van Wagenen to be intense as he tries to conserve his job with the sale of the crew nearing completion. And even now some others believe that the Wilpon possession will endorse a person very last postseason press before they produce management of the club.” Rosenthal’s posting continued.

The later aspect of that statement is attention-grabbing, as the Wilpons have to be looking at this year as their past possibility at an elusive World Collection championship. Would it be outdoors the realm of possibility to picture them instructing Van Wagenen to make a deal to bolster their likelihood?

Except if he was only bluffing, Van Wagenen’s statements on Monday contradict the assumptions getting built by rival executives to Rosenthal. Van Wagenen spoke about looking out for the foreseeable future of the group and indicated that the return of David Peterson, Michael Wacha and Jake Marisnick off the wounded record could all be categorized as their “deadline acquisitions”.

Also with the sale of the Mets getting on the forefront of everyone’s minds, there is a prospect that a blockbuster trade could anger opportunity buyers, who really don’t want conclusions currently being made that would influence the potential of the franchise.

If the Mets ended up to make a trade, Rosenthal notes that their have to have is obviously commencing pitching, but the current market is alternatively slender when it comes to buying some. Of the expiring contracts of observe, Trevor Baeur may well be the only genuine variance-maker, with Kevin Gausman, Robbie Ray, Brett Anderson and Taijuan Walker all currently being outlined as other names on the current market.

Outdoors of his reporting on the Mets, Rosenthal also wrote about Texas Rangers starting pitcher Lance Lynn and their discussion on regardless of whether or not to offer him at the deadline.

Lynn, 33, is 4- as a result of seven commences this year and has thrown 100 or a lot more pitches in 31 straight appearances. Lynn’s 1.59 Era is at present the next-ideal mark in the American League.

Unlike the other pitchers outlined, Lynn is beneath deal for 2021, on a group-welcoming $8 million deal. If the Mets have been in simple fact aggressive at the deadline, it is most likely they would prefer a pitcher like Lynn who is underneath staff handle past this season.