The purge continues.
Since the Mets officially “bent the knee” to the rest of the league, they unloaded most of their veterans in what Sandy Alderson called his “inventory.”
And tonight, the cupboard is pretty much bare, with Curtis Granderson moving onto the Dodgers along with some cash for a player to be named later.
You would hope because the Mets are chipping in a few bucks the player they will get back is something of value, but as with the Neil Walker trade to Milwaukee, we’ll see.
According to some of NY Sports Day’s Rich Mancuso through some of his injuries sources, the Mets had another deal with Granderson and Rene Rivera going to the Astros for three prospects, but the clubs couldn’t agree on the players and the Mets went with a deal with Los Angeles.
Rivera could be still be in play with Houston according to industry sources, since the Astros have the need for a backup catcher.
But that’s tomorrow’s story and Granderson now leaves the Mets after almost four pretty successful seasons in Queens, after playing four years in the Bronx. Because he changed leagues and because he was playing in home games in Citi Field rather than Yankee Stadium, he didn’t have the power numbers he showed up in on 161st Street.
But Granderson still was a productive player, who helped the Mets go to the playoffs two years in a row and make the 2015 World Series.
As free agent signings go, Granderson was one of the better ones the Mets had. He came over from the Yankees signing a four-year, $60 million contract and produced 20 or more homers his first three season with 19 on the books this season.
And then there is the leadership factor with Granderson assuming mantle with David Wright out for most of the last three seasons. His quiet leadership made him invaluable with the club. His off the field work also was very notable and for his efforts won the Roberto Clemente Award for his charitable works.
Although there isn’t much left in terms of veterans, the Mets can still trade Asdrubal Cabrera and Rivera before the Aug. 31 roster postseason freeze, but most of their main chips are now gone, as they look to next season by playing many of their younger players.
Manager Terry Collins said it was his job to keep the club motivated during these times, even though in tonight’s 3-1 loss to the Marlins, the Mets looked like “the air was let out of the balloon.”
The next 40 or so games will give Alderson a good idea what areas he will need to address in the off-season, as the Mets look to get back into contention in 2018.
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