If the Padres are serious about trading Wil Myers, then the Mets could and should be in on that. Myers suffered through an injury plagued 2018 season where he was limited to 83 games and had very pedestrian numbers. In 2016 and 2017, Myers hit 58 home runs and drove in 168 runs.
Last season, Myers missed nearly two months with a strained oblique. Myers returned in late June and was starting to find his game when he fouled a ball off of his foot in early August that sent him to the 10-day DL for a second time.
Myers, who hits right handed, has played all three outfield positions and was playing first base until Eric Hosmer was signed last off season. He also played 36 games at third base last season but does not look like he can handle that position. What he can do is “rake.”
Myers is a nice fit for the Mets. He can play the outfield and first base, he hits right handed and would add much needed balance to the Mets’ lineup. Michael Conforto came on strong at the end of last season and showed his shoulder was healthy. Put Myers in the lineup behind a healthy Conforto and that’s not a bad one-two combo to anchor the core of the batting order.
At 27-years old, Myers is heading into his prime and is under control through 2022 with a team option for 2023. The 6-year, $83 million dollar deal that he signed going into the 2017 season, still has $73 million dollars remaining as the deal was back loaded.
Even though San Diego was interested in Noah Syndergaard, he wouldn’t be a “deal breaker.” If the Mets get creative, they can make a deal for Myers that would really boost their chances and the whole outlook of the team, without giving up “Thor.”
Which brings me to this point that I’ve written about before but it needs to be addressed once again. https://www.nysportsday.com/2018/11/15/karpin-will-noah-be-mets-next-cy-young-winner/The Mets would be absolutely nuts if they trade Syndergaard. ‘Nuff said.
If they’re going to move anyone of their starters, it should be Zack Wheeler who will be a free agent after next season and whose value may never be higher than it is right now.
Multiple reports say the Mets have spoken with the Indians about a potential deal for catcher Yan Gomes. Whether they have enough to satisfy Cleveland’s needs (outfield help) remains to be seen but it’s certainly worth the pursuit. The Dodgers are in on Gomes and may offer Yasiel Puig in return.
The Yankees figured to be active this off season and they didn’t waste any time in acquiring left hander James Paxton from Seattle. Houston was reportedly in on Paxton but refused to part with top pitching prospect Forrest Whitley. It was clear that the Mariners were looking to deal a veteran arm for a younger arm so the Yankees had to include top pitching prospect, left hander Justus Sheffield, to close the deal.
Now that Paxton has been obtained, what’s up next for the Yankees.
The Yankees want another starting pitchers but they’re also looking to fill the shortstop hole that was created when Didi Gregorius had to undergo Tommy John surgery on his elbow after the season ended. Reportedly, the Yankees inquired about Mariners’ shortstop Jean Segura while they were speaking with Seattle about Paxton. The 28 year old has played mostly shortstop in his career but he did play a whole season at second base in 2016 as a member of the Diamondbacks.
The Yankees have a tough call in this regard. Do they want to play Gleyber Torres at shortstop and bring in a second baseman, or keep Torres at second and acquire a shortstop. What also has to be taken into account is what happens when (if?) Gregorius returns next season. Remember, the Yankee shortstop is a free agent after next season. If the Yankees were really asking about Segura, what does that say about their desire to sign Manny Machado.
I’m not advocating signing Machado and they’re not in such a devoid state that they absolutely have to sign Bryce Harper but, to me, if the Yanks are willing to spend big money on a big name free agent, they should go with Harper, who makes a lot more baseball sense than Machado. Why is that? Machado bats right handed, Harper hits left handed. I’m not even taking into account Machado’s “baggage.” The Yankees need a more balanced line up to compete with Boston and Harper would add more protection for the established hitters.
I know the Yankees have a “logjam” in the outfield but who do you want to be the starting left fielder next season. Brett Gardner or Bryce Harper.
My suggestion for the infield is to start the season with Torres at short and, if possible, sign a versatile free agent who is available on the market and his name is not Marwin Gonzalez. Josh Harrison would be a very smart sign. The Yankees reportedly have him on their radar. Harrison can play second, third, and the outfield and is an underrated clutch hitter. It’s not as “sexy” a signing as Machado, but Harrison is the kind of role player that the Yanks need on their roster.
There appears to be a game of “chicken” taking place between the Marlins and those teams that are interested in trading for catcher J.T. Realmuto. The feeling around baseball is that Miami is asking a very high price (according to ESPN’s Buster Olney, Miami’s demands are “staggering”) for the highly touted backstop, not only because his value may not be higher than now but the Marlins felt like they didn’t get enough back when they traded their entire outfield of Marcell Ozuna, Christian Yelich and Giancarlo Stanton last off season.
With the Nationals signing veteran catcher Kurt Suzuki, there is one less team in the mix for Realmuto. I think the 27 year old ends up with the Dodgers or Astros. Houston did not want to give up a top prospect for Paxton but they have a deep enough system to make Miami an “offer they can’t refuse” for Realmuto.
HKLooking: MLB Network Radio’s Jon Morosi cites sources saying the Phillies have spoken with Seattle about Segura and closer Edwin Diaz…..I’m hearing Matt Harvey may be leaning towards re-signing with the Reds. Oakland and a couple of other clubs have also expressed interest but Harvey felt he rediscovered his game in Cincinnati and he likes the direction that the team is taking…..Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic reported the Astros and Cardinals have spoken with the Diamondbacks about a deal for slugging 1B Paul Goldschmidt. Reportedly, Arizona would like to use Goldschmidt as part of a package with 35-year old pitcher Zack Greinke, who has three years, and $104.5 million dollars left on his deal. The 31-year old Goldschmidt is a free agent after next season. If a team would agree to those terms, that would keep the price down.