On the night one All-Star – and now Hall of Fame – catcher’s number went up to the rafters, it’s time to for the Mets to get their next All-Star behind the plate.
Multiple sources are reporting the Mets are trying to get the Brewers’ Jonathan Lucroy in exchange for a package that includes both Travis d’Arnaud and Brandon Nimmo, plus a prospect.
If the Mets could pull that off, then maybe there will be a blue and orange October again.
In Lucroy, the Mets will be receiving one of the premier catchers in the game, who not only hits .300 with power, but also is a wiz behind the plate.
He not only will immediately upgrade the offense, he will also help with the Mets young starters as they challenge for the playoffs once more.
In 1985, it was Gary Carter’s influence that helped develop young hurlers Ron Darling and Sid Fernandez. Mike Piazza – although not the greatest at throwing out runners – enjoyed a strong relationship with his pitchers. Say what you want about not throwing out runners, but Piazza’s staffs thoroughly enjoyed throwing to him. And it sure helped when he won those close contests with a home run or two.
In short, he is what the Mets wanted d’Arnaud to be, but hasn’t developed into. With Lucroy, both Steve Matz and Noah Syndergaard just might have more confidence in their receiver. Right now, Thor gets Rene Rivera for his starts, since he just isn’t clicking with No. 18.
Simply put, there wouldn’t be a need for the catcher of many uniform numbers.
Now, understand nothing is imminent. Although Lucroy was pulled from the lineup by Milwaukee, the Mets started d’Arnaud against the Rockies.
“I really believe if there was something real serious,” Terry Collins said before the game, “Sandy (Alderson) would come down and say, ‘Don’t play him,’ if there was a lot to that, as we saw last year with Wilmer (Flores).”
And Nimmo, who looks promising, is essentially a duplicate asset. With Michael Conforto already here and still looking to be the outfielder of the future, there is no need to find Nimmo in Flushing.
In 1998, the Mets gave up a top prospect in Preston Wilson for Piazza (plus Geoff Getz and Ed Yarnall), and that worked out well.
And yes, there will be more in this trade. Maybe a Dominic Smith or a Gavin Cecchini, but you have to give up something to get something. Last year, no one complained with Michael Fulmer went to Detroit in the Yoenis Cespedes trade and now it looks like that deal is a good one for both sides.
But right now, the Mets need help. They are fading fast and if they keep going in this downward spiral they won’t make the playoffs this season.
After all the good will coming into this season, that would be a darn shame.
Making a few deals at the deadline will help.
Find Nimmo with Bernie Brewer. Give d’Arnaud a new number in Milwaukee.
Lucroy is a game changer.
The Mets need to get him.
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