As a soon-to-be free agent on a team that appears to be going nowhere in the standings, third baseman Todd Frazier looks like a potential trade chip for the Mets. With the July 31 deadline exactly four weeks out, Frazier addressed his future Wednesday, telling Mike Puma of the New York Post: “If I get traded, OK. If not, I am glad to be here as a Met. I am doing something, so it’s always good to be wanted.”
Trades aren’t anything new to Frazier, who has been part of two deals since he started his career in Cincinnati in 2011. The Reds sent Frazier to the White Sox in December 2015, and just under two calendar years later, the Pale Hose dealt him to the Yankees around the 2017 trade deadline. Frazier then joined the Yankees’ crosstown rivals the ensuing offseason on his current deal – a two-year, $17MM guarantee which Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen negotiated on his behalf.
Van Wagenen was Frazier’s agent when the veteran changed New York franchises, but now BVW is in the unique position of potentially trading away a player whose payday he secured. Frazier’s still owed about $4.31MM on his deal, a pact which has been a mixed bag for the Mets. While Frazier endured a down, injury-shortened initial campaign with the Mets, the 33-year-old has rebounded in 2019 to slash .256/.335/.450 (111 wRC+) with 11 home runs in 236 plate appearances. Frazier has aided his cause with career-best strikeout, swinging-strike and contact rates.
Everyday third basemen could be difficult to find around the deadline, which may work in the Mets’ favor if they try to trade Frazier. Considering their upward trajectory, the Nationals don’t seem likely to deal Anthony Rendon. Otherwise, aside from Frazier, there’s a wide selection of trade possibilities who profile more as part-time players or utility infielders than full-time third basemen. Pablo Sandoval, Derek Dietrich, Jonathan Villar, Neil Walker, Eric Sogard and Tim Beckham are among them.
Rays are his only fit to me.
Dodgers? They’ve played muncy at 3rd a few times.
He’s not really a fit for the Dodgers.
I’ll bet you $1,000,000 Rays have nothing to do with him
Indians.
Pale… Hose….???
white…..socks….
Actually the White Sox trading for Frazier does not make sense with Moncada playing third base.
Trade him for international money
Phillies could use him.
Phillies or Boston
No way Boston trades for him. Devers is the best all around 3B in baseball right now, and they have Chavis, Nunez & Holt who can all fill in for him if he needs some time off. There would be ZERO interest from Boston in Frazier, even if the Mets offered him for free.
Did Arenado retire? I missed that.
Dodgers don’t need Frazier! They need relievers
Whoever trades for him gets him for nothing, since the Mets will just insist you pay remaining salary.
But what team is he really an upgrade for?
The dodgers don’t need frazier they have turner at third base muncy freeze and kiki hernandez can also play first
Whoever is dumb enough to trade for Frazier is gonna get a player who will put up a sub .200 BA, and a sub .300 OBP in the second half.
Might give you some clutch homers in the playoffs tho.
With those numbers he wouldn’t even be on a postseason roster.
There will be more interest than just teams with a starting 3B need. He is a good clubhouse guy who can platoon and sub in at a few positions.
Typical of the Mets, they won’t pick up enough salary to facilitate a move that would actually bring back anything more than minor league filler though
There’s the old “good clubhouse guy” thrown around again.
Todd blows and is just having a Good season cause he wants a new paycheck after this year.
Would a contender rather have Frazier or Panda?
Philly would be a great fit for him
To dust off the 2nd runner up NL East trophy? They should cut bait, sell few pieces and get rid of that doooo-shieee manager of theirs. Retry 2020.