New York Mets Should Trade for A Shortstop Sooner Rather Than Later
By Matt Turner
@mturnerny
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
With the proper key additions, the New York Mets will be ready to compete in 2015. When the offseason started, they needed a lefty reliever, a corner outfielder and a shortstop to round out their roster. GM Sandy Alderson signed OF Michael Cuddyer and LHP Scott Rice, and drafted Sean Gilmartin, another left-handed pitcher, in the Rule 5 Draft. The only remaining hole is at shortstop, but if the Mets feel the need to trade for one, doing so now would be far more beneficial than waiting.
First off, the NL East remains as tough as always. The Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves can always be counted on to be competitive, and even the Miami Marlins have made several very good moves this offseason to enhance their roster. The Philadelphia Phillies should find a way to stick around for a bit, if for no other reason than to mess with the Mets – they always do.
Staying afloat with such competition will be difficult, and if the Mets aren’t in top shape from game No. 1, they may fall behind quickly. If the Mets fail to find an improvement over Wilmer Flores before the season starts, they’re immediately conceding games to their divisional rivals.
Also a factor is the price difference of a shortstop between now and then. Several of the teams shopping their shortstops, the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners, are all looking to be competitors in 2015. They’re looking for a quality player who can be a difference-maker soon. Dealing a starting pitcher a la Jon Niese or say, Zack Wheeler, should be enough to build a package around for one of these shortstops.
But if the Mets wait until July, and they’re hanging in there while another team isn’t, that other team will likely be looking for prospects or players to build around. Waiting until the trade deadline could cost the Mets more in terms of the number of players and future potential as they would have a far more depleted farm system. A big league starter is a much better option right now than a couple of minor league players.
That is, of course, if the Mets ever decide to move on with someone other than Flores. He’s shown some ability to handle the bat in the Majors, but whether he can perform at that level for an entire season is an unknown. If the Mets decide Flores will be the Opening Day starter, they should stick with him for the entire season barring spectacular failure.
If they decide they want to give someone else a shot, the best time to do so is before April.
Matt Turner is a New York Mets writer for www.RantSports.com. “Like” him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter @MturnerNY, or add him to your network on LinkedIn or Google.
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