July 13: The Yankees’ interest in Wheeler, at this point, is considered to be “mild,” Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports in a deeper look at the right-hander’s market. Scouts from at least eight teams watched Wheeler’s most recent start, and of that group, Ackert lists the Diamondbacks as a club that came away from the outing with interest in the righty. The Reds, despite their rebuilding status, are planning to watch him again this weekend.
The D-backs’ interest is easy to parse. Arizona has lost Taijuan Walker for the season and is now once again concerned over the right elbow of Shelby Miller, who only recently returned from Tommy John. The resurgent Clay Buchholz is currently on the disabled list as well. Beyond that, Arizona could lose Patrick Corbin to free agency this winter, and Miller’s future is currently anything but certain. Wheeler, controlled through 2019, would give them an affordable arm to add not just for this season but also next year.
As for the Reds, their inclusion is a bit more surprising. Cincinnati has played considerably better in recent months, but their rotation picture still looks to be largely a mess. President of baseball ops Dick Williams said recently, though, that the team plans to up its payroll in 2019. Adding Wheeler now could amount to doing a bit of their offseason shopping in advance, and his modest price tag would allow the team to pursue more costly rotation upgrades this winter, with the goal of pairing those arms with an increasingly encouraging core of position players.
July 12: Though Yankees fans might prefer a different target from the Mets’ rotation, the Bronx Bombers have “recently inquired” into the availability of right-hander Zack Wheeler, according to Marc Carig of The Athletic (via Twitter). While Carig cautions that the contact may mostly be a matter of conducting due diligence, it’s still a notable potential connection between these infrequent trade partners.
The thought long has been that the Yankees would pursue starters, but the level of quality they’ll ultimately end up achieving is still in doubt. Many would argue that the team needs to chase a top-end arm to pair with Luis Severino at the top of its staff in order to take down the rival Red Sox and make a lengthy postseason run.
With no rental arms available that meet that description — unless buyers are fully ready to believe in Nathan Eovaldi, at least — the attention has been on more controllable pitchers. That may suit the Yanks just fine, as they could well end up considering rotation upgrades at season’s end regardless.
That said, the asking prices for the very best assets figure to be astronomical. That’s no doubt the case for Wheeler’s teammate, Jacob deGrom, whose name has already made the rounds in the rumor mill as a crosstown trade candidate. His complete dominance — 1.68 ERA in 123 1/3 innings — and two remaining seasons of arbitration control make deGrom arguably the very top deadline pitching target in the game. Though indications are that the Mets will at least be open-minded, they’ll understandably be holding out for a truly compelling trade package.
Under the circumstances, it’s not surprising to learn that the Yankees are at least taking a closer look at Wheeler. True, Wheeler owns only a modest 4.42 ERA over his 99 2/3 innings on the year. But he’s carrying a solid 8.9 K/9 against 3.4 BB/9 and, more importantly, has shown some other interesting trends.
Wheeler is working at the top of his career velocity levels (96.2 mph average fastball), getting more swings and strikes (11.0%) than ever, and permitting an average exit velocity lower than all but seven other pitchers in baseball. And the results have improved quite a bit of late, coinciding with a rise in Wheeler’s velocity and a steady reduction of his fastball usage in favor of his slider.
The 28-year-old would not necessarily be an instant upgrade to the team’s anticipated playoff rotation, though perhaps there’d be some hope that he’d further establish himself down the stretch. Regardless, there would clearly be value in having him on hand to help a tough AL East battle. And even if he doesn’t currently project to be a postseason ace, Wheeler might be an interesting arm to deploy creatively — say, in a pairing with veteran lefty CC Sabathia, to offer one hypothetical possibility.
There’s added value in Wheeler’s contract rights, though that’s also countered by his spotty health history. He’s earning just $1.9MM this season before qualifying for arbitration a final time this coming offseason. The low cost may also be a factor as the Yankees contemplate other upgrades — including, perhaps, other hurlers — as it’d leave plenty of room left to work with under the luxury tax line.
Wheeler has never managed to live up to what Mets fans hoped for, but he seems to have settled in as a guy who will reliably give you 5-7 innings and give up 3-4 runs. Not a game changer, but a useful enough kind of guy for a lot of clubs. Is he better than any of the guys the Yankees are throwing out there? Does he still have a bit of upside left? What kind of return could reasonably be expected, given that he’s not a rental but only has one more year of control left?
He’s definitely better than Mr. Gray!
Skip, No he isn’t. Gray’s ERA is inflated by his horrible performances at Yankee Stadium. His ERA is around 3.60 if he pitches anywhere else.
So the games at Yankee stadium do not count??
He is what his record is….to paraphrase Bill Parcells. Throwing out half of his starts just isn’t reasonable.
jkb, never said they didn’t. Don’t pretend otherwise.
No one said to throw out half his starts. But his ERA at Yankee Stadium is over 8. ERA everywhere else is 3.6 and change. The numbers don’t lie.
Give me Clint Frazier for wheeler and I’ll be happy.
You’re not going to be happy
Jimmy S, give me Jacob DeGrom for Tyler Wade and I’ll be happy.
Considering what’s available, and the cost for those pieces, this wouldn’t be the worst thing
The Mets won’t do the Yankees any favors so I expect if traded, he’ll go elsewhere. Actually the Yankees might help the Mets on setting the bar on his return.
I wouldn’t count on mets management outsmarting yankees managment.
Lol
How about lefty Matz instead if yanks and mets are talking about anyone other than degrom and noah?
Matz would probably cost more than Wheeler, because he comes with three more years of control and is seen as having more remaining upside. I think the Mets would be more reluctant to give up on Matz at this point, but would be open to discussion. He’s a lefty, also, which is desirable. What kind of prospects would Yankees fans be willing to part with for him?
I’d do Frazier for Matz straight up.
i would too in a second but probably not enough
The Mets wouldn’t.
do you think frazier, adams or tate, and drury get it done?
Na, Adams and Tate aren’t considered big league starters, Drury is a utility player something the Mets have too many of, Frazier would only add to an already crowded confusing outfield situation for them.
who do you think it would take?
Andujar, Sheffield and either Fraizer or Florial…for deGrom, that is. Matz they’d still ask for Andjuar. They don’t need OF help, already too crowded there.
if yanks include andujar, they can probably do better than matz
OK here goes..Andujar to start with for any of the Mets starters. For deGrom add in Florial, Sheffield, Medina, and a lower tier pitching prospect. For Wheeler or Matz I would think subtract Florial and the lower tier prospect.
That’s my point. If you’re going to trade for a SP, and you’re the Yankees, go all in on deGrom. deGrom is controlled for 2 years. Adding him to that rotation would instantly make him their Ace. Plus, when coupled with that lineup, it’d make the Yankees practically shoe-in’s for a WS appearance for the next 3 yrs.. Sending Andujar to the Mets gives them an instant hole filled at 3B. Sheffield bolsters the back end of their rotation for 2019 (Syndergaard, Matz, Wheeler, Sheiffeld) and adding either Fraizer or Florial gives them an OF to couple with Nimmo and Conforto; making Bruce expendable.
i don’t see andujar being included in any wheeler deal
Andujar is expendable once the Yanks get Machado. I like the sound of NickyNoodles deal. Maybe toss in another prospect to sweeten the deal.
Unless you take Machado at his word when he said he’ll take less money to play SS over 3B b/c that’s his preferred position. And by “less money” he’ll still make $30M/yr.. Andjuar is expendable, even if the Yankees don’t publicly admit it, b/c they’ve got Drury.
Would he really be expendable, though? He would only be expendable till seasons end. Machado hits FA and then sells himself as a shortstop. So I only see Andujar being expendable for as long as Machado plays third, and by all indications that would be 2-3 months.
Drury started the year at 3B for the Yankees and is still a very good viable option. He was only optioned b/c the Yankees wanted a surplus of pitchers plus Fraizer in the OF. Make no mistake, if Andujar gets traded, they’d happily place Drury in as their every day 3B and not think twice about it. It’s a minor step down (very minor) when you’re talking about the addition of deGrom.
Drury has a wRC+ of 52.
The cheese has fallen off the cracker if you think he’s gonna start at 3B long-term.
Andujar is probably the most overrated trade piece being talked about this year. He has some upside but is no future star imo. He has been OK in the big leagues so far, and he was good in the minors last year, and he was not very good in the minors before that. I really don’t see all the hype here and feel like most would agree if he played in Pittsburgh or Tampa
This post is exactly why the Yankees aren’t going to get the level of starting pitcher they need to get before the deadline? Teams are asking for the moon for pitching even when those pitchers aren’t difference makers. DeGrom and Syndergard are difference makers. Steve Matz and Zach Wheeler aren’t. They are excellent pitchers and I would love to take a flier on them but no way in hell are they worth Andujar plus Sheffield and another quality prospect.
Andujar is not going to the Mets for any starter short of Degrom or Syndergard. Period.
NickyNoodle….you need to look at it from the Mets perspective.
1. They have Frazier on a cheap deal for another year. Mets ownership HATES to eat money and a Bobby Bonilla v2.0 would never happen. Andujar is a solid chip, but the rest is too light for deGrom.
2. Sheffield fits…mostly bc you can never have enough pitching.
3. This is where the deal falls apart….the Mets already have two Veteran corner OF making big money AND two young OF who can rake in Nimmo (should have made the all-star team over Blackmon) and Conforto (young, controllable and 1 AS appearance already). Then there is Lagares..final year, expensive, but a GG-caliber CF. Adding a SIXTH guy to an already crowded OF makes no sense to the Mets. Swap Torres in for Frazier and add a lotto ticket and that package is harder to ignore.
Torres…is legit and worthy of leading the package. Andujar as the next piece is a great value and the mets find space. Sheffield is a workable 3rd/4th arm. Add in 1-2 more A/AA guys with upside and that package is solid. I’m not saying the Yanks like giving up so much, but that is the type of package it’d take for a generational talent like deGrom. I’m sure Yankee fans would hate it until deGrom starts winning big games for them.
Who’s going to replace Gleyber torres’ production? Brandon Drury or will it be Tyler wade? Perhaps they swing a deal for refsnyder again? You don’t trade a rookie who has already made a huge impact. Trading andujar in a degrom package make sense. He’s a nice young player but they can easily replace that production in 2018. Start with him add Frazier + Sheffield and whatever else but moving Torres isn’t going to happen.
Hojostacher, Conforto can potentially rake. He raked in his first year and last year. 2016 he wasn’t too good and he hasn’t been good this year either. Nimmo is pretty good but I wouldn’t say he can rake. He’s having a career year but only hitting .254. That isn’t raking.
Lagares provides great defense but he doesn’t hit too well. He has no power, doesn’t draw walks and doesn’t steal bases. He’s a bottom of the order hitter at best. Hell, even on a bad team like the Mets he’s a 4th outfielder at best. And that’s when he’s healthy which isn’t often enoguh as I am sure you’d agree.
P.S: Gleiber Torres is as close to untouchable as you can get. I’d deal him for Mike Trout. But there isn’t a player in the Mets that would be worth dealing Torres for.
Likewise
Yankees7448…I actually agree mostly with what you wrote. Conforto needs to show consistency, as he still struggles against lefties. He typically has good discipline at the plate otherwise. He is a corner outfielder playing centerfield…so I don’t expect more than below avg to avg defensive metrics from him there.
Lagares is straight up frustrating. He has shown flashes, but he can’t stay healthy! The problem is that his salary jumps this year. The Mets should have traded him 1-2 yr ago when he was cheaper, but he couldn’t stay healthy….and they hate eating money.
I disagree about Nimmo bc he has raked all through the minors. .254 isn’t great, but he was top 4 in MLB for OPS most of the first half of the year. He will continue to hit and likely be similar to conforto and play mediocre at best CF defense. His bat will play though.
I disagree about Torres being Mike Trout level untouchable. He needs to show 2-3 yr of elite play to get there. He’s not quite at Soto’s level yet either (for being a rookie having a breakout year), but dude should be solid for years to come. I hate the yankees, but I’m envious of their farm system and cashman at the helm. The Mets management is a huge hindrance and will likely keep them (at best) fighting for WC spots each year.
Hojostach, so as I said…the Mets outfield situation isn’t good enough to block Frazier. The only consistency amongst those guys is their tendency to get hurt. Cespedes will get as many reps in the outfield that he feels he can while Nimmo, Frazier and Conforto compete to earn the lions share of time in the other two spots along with any time leftover from Cespedes. When Cespedes goes down to injury more playing time will open up for Lagares who for the time being becomes an expensive defensive replacement.
Jason Bay gets reps at first base whenever Cespedes isn’t there to try and improve his value assuming the Mets are too cheap to buy him out or subsidize trading him elsewhere.
Regarding Torres, I think all things being equal a position player is more valuable than a pitcher because he gives you chances to win games multiple times a game every game of the year. Pitchers basically just keep the other team from winning until the position players wins the game. and they only do this once every 5 games (if there are a starter) or a little more often if they are a reliever. I think enough of Torres potential that at this point there aren’t really any pitchers I’d deal for him. I don’t want to trade him. But I am not unreasonable. If someone said I’ll give you the best player in the game (Trout) but Torres has to go back I’ll make the deal. Trout is a no brainer. If you get a chance to pick him up you do it.
Remember how crazy that Beltran trade looked at the time?
Yeah, but people forget that most prospect trades do not end up like John Smoltz or Jeff Bagwell. But that doesn’t stop them from imagining every prospect ending up as a HOFer. It’s part of what makes it fun.
Please, no!!!!!!
Next article- “Yankees have made an offer on Mike Trout”
I laughed
BLAKE-ING NEWS…..Sox trade Swihart for Snell………
Won’t happen Yankees won’t offer enough for a player who makes no money
Having Tanaka as the only pitcher with success in the post season could be troublesome. And this season…. yeesh. Need a playoff proven pitcher. Sevy has crapped the bed in the post season thus far.
“Sevy has crapped the Bed”….just like your mom.
Bob Marley would know all about that….LOL!! Since he died in bed LOL!
You sure do crack yourself up.
Lol, CC hasn’t had success in the postseason?
And sevy had one bad game, hardly david price.
Lol technically Sevy had one bad 1/3 of an inning
The Yankees would be better suited trading for deGrom. Yea it would take a huge package but, deGrom is under control for the next few years. Plus, given time with that franchise it’s pretty safe to assume he’d sign an extension. I could see a package including Andujar, Florial and Sheffield. deGrom is a bonafide ACE and would instantly be the #1 start on that team for years to come. In return, the Mets get an eventual replacement in their rotation, help at 3B (which they desperately need) and an up and coming OF to pair with Nimmo and Conforto. And with deGrom in that rotation, coupled with the Yankees offense, they’d dominate the AL. Machado will hit FA this Winter anyway, so they can always try to sign him as well.
I think it would take more than that to get the Mets to seriously listen on an offer
You may be right but that’d be a darn good start. I think that’s a pretty fair offer as is. No way the Yankees are trading anyone else on their current MLB roster (i,e. – Torres). And that would still give the Mets a 2019 rotation of Syndergaard, Matz, Wheeler and Sheffield. Perhaps adding Abreu to the deal as well. But, as is, those are the Yankees top two prospects, top 40 in MLB plus an already MLB ready 3B in Andjuar.
As a Met fan I would trade de Grom for Andujar Sheffield Florial and one more pitching prospect. Doesn’t have to be a top prospect but I know the Yankees have more young arms than they can fit on the 40 man next off season so they can use one of those.
With Abreu if I’m Mets I’d probably go for it. Without- leaning no
But, as an aside, at this point does Sonny Gray have negative or positive trade value? If it’s negative it makes perfect sense for the Mets to take him back in any trade in order to increase value of the overall package. Wheeler for Gray and Frazier?
I think Sonny Gray would be an excellent fit for the Mets. Sonny Gray’s biggest problem is pitching at Yankee Stadium. Forget all this noise about making Austin Romine his personal catcher. Gray’s ERA at Yankee Stadium is 8.62. His ERA everywhere else is 3.62. Is it CY Young caliber numbers? No. But very much above average and more inline with his career numbers. You put him in the NL so he doesn’t have to deal with a DH and make a pitcher’s park like Citifield his home stadium and you’ll get much better production out of him. Unfortunately, perception determines value and his Yankee Stadium performances give him the perception of a man who is struggling. That’s going to hurt his value.
All that being said, he does have value considering his track record, his age and his one remaining year of arbitration. He’s not going to bring anywhere near what he cost us in return (top 100 prospect Jorge Mateo plus highly regarded James Kaprielian and major league ready prospect Dustin Fowler). I would probably value him as the equivalent of a lower top 100 level prospect and a lower level high upside/high bust potential prospect. Decent value but probably the third most valuable piece going the other way.
Gray (if he has the success at Citifield I would expect) plus Andujar in and of themselves would allow the Mets to recover the value lost in Degrom fairly quickly next year. Everything else would be icing on the cake. Maybe the Yankees could take on a crappy contract like Jason Vargas or Todd Frasier to help speed the process along further.
Btw, Gray and Frazier for Wheeler is such a disgusting overpay for the Yankees it is not even funny. Let’s see Wheeler last a full year without getting hurt before we even talk about a Frazier level prospect.
I’m a Mets fan…and that’s an overpay. I don’t have much faith in Gray…but maybe he fares better in the NL…?
I think he does.
But will the Yanks trade Andujar during the season? Even with such an upgrade at pitcher that’s a significant loss in their lineup
They can always call up Drury to replace Andujar.
They can. It doesn’t mean they should.
Just because he’s young and wearing a Yankee jersey doesn’t mean he’s valuable.
If he can stay injury free and actually pitch consistently, he ‘could’ be a solid 3 or 4 in the rotation. He had a high ceiling early in his career – could still be of value. I’d hate to see the Mets deal him.
Yanks will give Mets Drury. That is all.
Wait, are the Yankees trying to get Jerry Blevins?
They could probably get Jameson Taillon, Trevor Williams, and/or Ivan Nova along with Harrison from the Pirates if the Yankees put Sheffield and/or Fraizer in play. Plus, the Yankees could send Romine to the Pirates so they can get their next catcher.
Of all the players The Pirates have, Taillon and Williams are likely the last to go in a trade.
8.9 K/9 to 3.4 BB/9 is not solid, nor is it good. 9 K/9 to 2 BB/9 would be good. Wheeler’s WHIP is 1.344 and that’s in the N.L. No, thanks. I’d rather the Yanks acquire Matz.
Wheeler for Frazier it’s going to happen
“Wheeler for Frazier it’s going to happen.”
That would be a vast overpay on the part of the Yanks. The optimistic case for Wheeler is that he stays healthy and gives you several starts at slightly above replacement level. That does have value but not nearly as much as six years of Clint Frazier.
I also don’t understand all these proposed trades involving Frazier. The Mets already have Conforto, Nimmo, Lagares, two more years of Bruce and Cespedes. Why do they need Frazier? Why not give them something they actually need, like a 2B, 1B or young SP. Folks appear to be focusing on Frazier as the highest ranked prospect rather than whether the team actually needs him.
I think the Mets would love to get younger and more athletic, including in the outfield, and Jeebus knows they could use some bats, as well- more than they need pitching, honestly! And they need right-handed hitting. News broke yesterday that Cespedes will be getting some time at first to spare his legs a bit. So, they could give Ces a lot of time there, and have an outfield of Conforto, Frazier, and Nimmo- with Bruce backing up first and the outfield whenever he’s healthy. Given how often one or both of Cespedes and Bruce are injured, and the fact that Lagares is often injured and a free agent after next year, and also the fact that Conforto doesn’t seem like as much of a sure thing anymore, I think that the Mets would definitely see value in Frazier as part of an offer. I think an offer of Andujar, Frazier, and Sheffield, maybe with one more piece (for deGrom, not Wheeler or Matz), would be tough to turn down, if the Yankees were willing to offer it.
That’s exactly what I said. Andjuar, Sheffield and Fraizer for deGrom is a win/win for both teams. Plus, the Yankees can then recall Drury to play 3B. That trade makes the Yankees, hands down, the best team in MLB. Plus, it instantly upgrades the Mets at every position. Especially with Cespedes possibly at 1B and a 2019 rotation of Syndergaard, Matz, Wheeler, Sheffield. Like I said….win/win. Of course, it makes too much sense so it will never happen.
It’s not bad, but the issue is players and positions for the Mets. If the Yanks offered Torres, Sheffield and Andjuar, that would make it nearly impossible for the Mets to turn down. Mets could send Walker and Cabrera along with deGrom if the Yanks feel the need. Solves 2b, 3b and a replacement for deGrom as far as the Mets are concerned. Adding Frazier to Bruce, Conforto, Nimmo, Lagares, and Cespedes is just insane, even if one of them moves to 1b.
Bruce and Cespedes are rarely both healthy and both may increasingly see time at first base; Lagares is out for the season and a free agent after next year; and Conforto suddenly can’t hit, and would probably be trying to figure things out at AAA right now if the Mets actually had Frazier. Not saying that the Yankees should trade Frazier, just that the Mets could use him, long term and immediately.
If the Yankees offered up Torres, Andujar, and Sheffield, why would they just settle for DeGrom? That’s a Godfather-type of deal. If that’s what it takes to move DeGrom, they might as well take that, throw in a couple more prospects and empty the farm for Blake Snell. Snell is 5 years younger, no TJS history and is a lefty who pitches in the AL East. DeGrom is probably #3 option if that set of players are on the table. Bumgarner is probably a better fit than DeGrom with that haul.
Exactly wildthrill, I get what the guy is saying but that’s just such a silly overpay. A top 100 prospect and two highly regarded former top prospects who are showing they are the real deal. No thank you. Waaaaaaaaay too expensive a price. I am willing to offer up Andujar and Sheffield for someone like Degrom but the extra pieces in the deal will not include Torres. That dude is untouchable.
Bruce as a backup….making $13m/yr AAV. On the Mets. That has a zero percent chance of happening. Mets ownership dumpster dive and shop in scratch and dent for players. The mets have FIVE OF already and don’t need Frazier. That said, his overall value is better than I’d expect for Wheeler right now. I WISH the Mets could squeeze the same value from another team for a position they actually need. Catcher, 2B, SP, RP, etc.
Oh come on now hojostache, sure the Mets have bigger weaknesses than outfield but lets not pretend outfield is a strength. Nimmo is the only guy who has been healthy and producing. He’s playing like an above average player but we’re not talking about an All Star here.
Juan Lagares- He’s essentially an injury prone Center Field version of Rey Ordonez since 2014. He’s all glove and no stick.
Jay Bruce- Resigning him never made any sense and he sucked this year. You should focus on getting better and not trying to rescue value from a bad contract. If the Mets insist on doing that then they can put him at first since it isn’t as if he’s a great defensive outfielder anyway.
Yoenis Cespedes is a tremendous player but he’s always hurt. Combined he’s missed more than a full regular season over the past 3 years. Its gotten to the point where he is taking reps at first in the hopes of putting less wear and tear on his body.
Michael Conforto has crashed back to earth this year and at this point in his career has shown mediocrity as much as potential for greatness (great in 2015 and 2017 but mediocre at best in 2016 and 2018).
So while I agree that the Mets should focus on getting more talent at positions of greater need lets not pretend Frazier would be competing with Hall of Fame outfielders for time with the Mets especially considering he’s capable of playing all 3 outfield spots.
I gotta run in a minute…but I wanted to point out that Nimmo has outplayed Charlie Blackmon (2018 all-star) all season..and has put up better numbers with 100+ less ABs..
Blackmon: .280 BA, .836 OPS, 109 OP+, -0.6WAR, -2.1 dWAR.
Nimmo: .254 BA, .881 OPS, 144 OPS+, 2..2WAR, -0.6 dWAR.
Nimmo even slumped recently, as he had a 1,000+ OPS for much of the 1st half. He also costs 23m+ less PER YEAR than Charlie.
I really like Charlie, but Nimmo has been the superior player all year.
You’re comparing Nimmo’s career year to Blackmon’s down year?
Nimmo has consistently produced in the minors and is doing the same in the majors. I picked Charlie bc they play the same position.
There are a bunch of players who play the same position. Its silly to compare to guy who has been a top tier guy but is having his worse year of his career by far to a guy who is having a career year in the first year he is a starter.
“Why do they need Frazier? Why not give them something they actually need, like a 2B, 1B or young SP. Folks appear to be focusing on Frazier as the highest ranked prospect rather than whether the team actually needs him”
When your team is struggling as badly as the Mets are you don’t turn down top level prospects. You accrue talent and worry about fit later on. However, hypothetically speaking If someone else offers a similar value package with a Clint Frasier level prospect at 2nd base the Mets would have to favor that offer. When all things are equal you go for fit.
If you were talking a 19-year-old prospect in A ball, I’d agree.
Frazier is likely hitting a point where he needs regular MLB at-bats, and if the Mets (or whoever acquires him) can’t promise him those, there’s little to no point in taking him.
If Frazier were the 3rd or 4th best piece in an offer, I’d also say it doesn’t matter. My guess: the Yankees want to center a package around him. I don’t see the fit.
If Frazier was the 3rd or 4th best piece in the package we’d be getting back someone like Steve Matz as well as Degrom. Clint Frazier is our starting left fielder next year.
Furthermore, with the way he’s performing this year I think Conforto would need to earn his starting spot next year if he doesn’t turn things around. Hell, with the way he’s performing you tell him to suck it up and move him to first. A guy with a .215 average and a 30% chance of striking out doesn’t guarantee anyone a starting spot in their favored position.
“If Frazier was the 3rd or 4th best piece in the package we’d be getting back someone like Steve Matz as well as Degrom.”
If the 1st and 2nd pieces were Torres and Andujar, sure. I agree.
Mrnatewaiter, if Frazier is the #3 or #4 best piece there isn’t going to be much in the way of alternatives to Torres and Andujar.
It’s never going to happen because the Pirates have been collecting all the sitcom named player like Kramer, Newman, and Fraizer. Who is next?
Maybe if we included Ellsbury for Jay Bruce. lol I kid. But no. Wheeler isn’t worth giving up someone who could legitimately be our starting left fielder next year.
The same team that wouldn’t give Yankees neither Jay Bruce nor Lucas Duda last year, and took inferior prospects.
I’m not buying it. Wilpons are losers.
“Wilpons are losers”
Did mikeyank borrow your account today, xabial? This sort of trolling is usually beneath you.
Fellas go to your neutral corner.
Shocked this is coming from you.
I expect this from majorflaw, not you. Glad to see you approve of emotions clouding the Mets’ judgement dealing with the Yankees.
It wasn’t meant as any kind of slight.
“Shocked this is coming from you.”
Come on, x, tgcf is playing with us.
“Glad to see you approve . . . . “
Nice attempt to drag him into our little dispute. I’ve seen tgcf around for a while, he’s quite capable of speaking for himself if he chooses.
“ . . . emotions clouding the Mets’ judgement . . . “
That’s not what you said, xabial. You said the “Wilpons are losers.” That’s a trollish comment, even with backup—which you fail to provide.
“ . . . dealing with the Yankees.”
That goes both ways. Both teams are extra cautious.
I thought we were all in agreement about the Wilpons?
Wheeler for Drury. It’s gonna happen.
Do you actually think it’s a good match, or just itching to get rid of Drury somehow?
Why are Yankee fans convinced Brandon Drury is good enough to land a controllable player? He’s been beyond putrid this season.
Don’t worry most don’t.
Because he has a track record of solid offensive and defensive play the last 2 seasons when he was played regularly.
His woes concerning Migranes derailed his starting at 3rd base and since he’s been relegated to the AAA express.
Do you realize that playing regularly, he is RAKING in the minors and was voted to the AAA all star team?
Now its AAA but still, this guy is a extra base machine, and can play all around the diamond and is quite a ways from 30 making a very affordable salary.
Need any more reasons?
He has a wRC+ of 52. If he were a qualified hitter, he’d be ranked 161st out of 163 batters.
A contender relying on him at third base would be an unbelievably silly move.
Who haven’t the Yankees inquired on or made an offer for lol
I would love for the Dbacks to trade for Wheeler, just so they could say they have the Koch Wheeler duo on there team.
why did the mets give bruce $39 million for 3 years, who did they expect to play centerfield? cespedes, no? conforto off injury with limited experience and no spring training , no? nimmo, no? lagares, your kidding right? don’t know who said they are overcrowded in the outfield but you supposedly built a team around pitching but
forgot defense up the middle, including centerfield – you need a young centerfieder
now or in the off season!
You could’ve stopped at “why did the mets give bruce $39 million” and this still would’ve been a high quality comment
Phil Ervin could make sense for Wheeler if the Mets want a CF
So what would the Mets realistically get In return for Wheeler?
I would limit it to Drury. Wheeler isn’t that valuable to me. He’s got upside and is pitching well this year but he’s got an extensive injury history, sucked last year, is mediocre this year and only has one more year of arbitration before free agency. Drury had health issues that hindered his performance with the Yankees but once he recovered he was tearing the cover off the ball in AAA. He would have been called up if Andujar hadn’t played the way he has. Moreover, he’s younger than Wheeler, is a 3rd the price of Wheeler and has at least 3 more years of arbitration left.
If the Mets want more (and they probably should) they can look elsewhere. I wouldn’t pay much more for Wheeler. I’d basically just take a flyer on him.
Wow! With that introduction for Drury, I now have no idea why they would trade for Machado! (The Yanks must be looking to improve their bench)
Well the Yankees don’t need Machado. We have Didi and Andujar starting right now and Neil Walker floating the infield (although he is struggling in a part time role), Meanwhile we have Brandon Drury, super sub Ronald Torreyes and AAAA type player Tyler Wade playing in the minors. Machado would be an upgrade sure but we don’t really need an upgrade in the left side of our infield. 1st base is a much more glaring weakness. If there was a Machado type first baseman available I would want the Yankees to be all over him. But there isn’t so Machado is more of a make an already strong position stronger to compensate for a weak position we couldn’t upgrade type of move.
Trade for Machado, move andujar 1st. #Boomination
Cashman will leave no stone unturned when it comes to finding an upgrade at the deadline!
If I’m Cashman I go after Eovaldi, Harvey, and Minor before I look at Wheeler or Matz.
Eovaldi and Minor ok. Harvey nooooooooooooooooooo.
Got the right team, just the wrong starter
the problem with all these proposed trades for degrom to the yanks is that the mets do not have anyone in charge that can make that kind of trade at the deadline. mets need a major overhaul (too bad it can’t be the wilp$$ns) and the next general manager may get to make that decision. not sure if degrom will still be here by the time the mets are ready to win again so maybe they can figure that out also in the off season while they are at it.
For the right price I would settle for Wheeler or Matz. I would be willing to pay a premium for someone like DeGrom though. I would even be willing to take on someone like Todd Frasier so that the Mets could save some money in the deal. We all know how important saving money is for the Mets ownership after what they did last year.
Todd Frazier has been worth his below market contract. He never hits for average, but he is a good glove and hits enough for the contract. No thanks.
Frazier’s contract is not below market.
Reds pitching must be getting better. You’ve refrained from using “hot mess”, which has been your pet phrase when referencing Reds pitching. Good job, Jeff, on changing your vocabulary!
Good, I hope the Yanks trade for Zach Wheeler. The Red Sox love to see another mediocre starting pitcher in the Yanks rotation (with the exception of Severino).
Unless the Reds get Wheeler for VERY, VERY cheap, there is no way this makes sense. MAYBE if he had 3+ additional years of control, but not with 1+. They already have 2-3 guys with Wheeler’s potential (max at #2 more likely a 3-5). They should save their powder until at least the off season.
I’d give up someone like Phil Ervin, Cody Reed or a lower level lottery ticket type (or 2) that isn’t in our top 15 prospects for Wheeler. But if it costs any more than that, I certainly wouldn’t do it
Though wheeler is probably not the guy
I was thinking a top 10 and another 11-25 prospect from the Reds. I think that’s fair given the risk on Wheeler.
It’s time for Williams to put this rebuild to bed
How about this:
CIN gets:
RH Zack Wheeler
NYM gets:
RH Sal Romano (LI native)
2B Shed Long
RH Jimmy Herget
Who says no?
Probably the Reds. Doesn’t seem to be much point in sacrificing young talent for Wheeler. He doesn’t fit in their time frame.
That would be way overpaying for Wheeler
No way that deal is happening. Big overpay by the Reds.
Maybe Herget and ONE OF Long/Romano (preferably Romano) for Wheeler. But all 3 is certainly an overpay.
That’s way too much for someone like Wheeler that has had Tommy John Surgery!
I’m not a big fan of Wheeler, but still, the list of pitchers with success after TJS includes Carrasco, Corbin, Darvish, DeGrom, Fernandez, etc. so you can’t really say just because he’s had TJS, he’s not worth trading for
Would u do Degrom for Gray Andujar Sheffield And Florial
Add Sanchez
I would do it. It would be painful because I think Gray would bounce back for the Mets. But I’d do it.
Edit. Sanchez isn’t going anywhere. You’re going too far there.
Harvey-deGrom-Syndergaard-Wheeler looked at one point like they might evolve into some kind of a modern Maddux-Glavine-Smoltz-Avery rotation for the ages. All Mets-ness about the situation aside… it’s kind of a bummer that didn’t work out that way.
deGrom to the Yankees would exclude Torres and Andujar. Mets get any six prospects/ players they choose. That could begin with Drury and Frazier and any four prospects they desire!
Drury….49 OPS+….Drury? Lol…yeah, a real building block there.
I find its always helpful to judge a player’s entire career on 15 major league games. After all certified first ballot hall of famer Brandon Nimmo only has an .166 batting average over his last 19 games.