The Mets have recently had scouts watching Athletics right-hander Frankie Montas and Reds right-hander Tyler Mahle, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reports. With the aggressive Mets clearly focused on a championship this year, it isn’t surprising that the club is already looking ahead to possible trade candidates on struggling teams.
Montas is over 18 months older than Mahle, but the two have quite a bit in common. The two righties are under control through the 2023 season via a third and final arbitration year, both have already been mentioned in trade speculation for months, and both have already made it through an offseason of payroll cuts by their respective teams. In fact, the Mets and A’s already combined on a big pitching deal during the offseason when Chris Bassitt was brought to Queens.
Thus far in 2022, Montas has clearly been the better of the two pitchers in terms of bottom-line numbers, with a 3.67 ERA in 49 innings to Mahle’s 5.23 ERA over 43 innings. The advanced metrics also generally favor Montas, though Mahle’s 4.28 xFIP and 4.15 SIERA paint a bit more of an optimistic view of his 2022 performance, and Mahle appears to be on the upswing with a 2.60 ERA over his last 17 1/3 frames.
It stands to reason that the Mets will probably at least monitor just about every available arm heading into the August 2 deadline, considering that Montas and Mahle figure to get attention from most or all pitching-needy clubs. Oakland or Cincinnati probably have some idea of what some suitors are already willing to give up for either pitcher, based on offseason talks — the White Sox, Twins, Yankees, Tigers, Mariners, Rays, and Royals all reportedly had interest in Montas over the winter, while the Blue Jays and Rangers were linked to Mahle.
Despite a number of rotation injuries this season, the Mets have gotten quality work from just about every starter who has taken the mound. However, health remains a concern, as Max Scherzer will miss 6-8 weeks with an oblique strain, Tylor Megill is on the IL with biceps inflammation, and Jacob deGrom has yet to throw a pitch this season due to a stress reaction his throwing shoulder. Jumping to swing a deal with the Reds or A’s now would cost the Mets a heavier price in prospects, and it could be that New York will wait until closer to the deadline to make a move, as the Mets already have a sizeable cushion of a lead in the NL East race.
Mets scout Montas and Montas gets hurt, hit by a line drive. The Mets have quite the effect on pitchers.
Going to be a fun season for the Metsies. They’ll add 2-3 pieces by the deadline, continue to win, and ultimately silence the haters who know nothing about baseball or roster construction.
Same as every year, right? Until proven otherwise, still LOLMets
Whatever you say Metsfan22.
It’s only May. Wait until the summer heats up and the injuries start taking a toll.
Pretty sure buying the best FAs, trading for top talent and spending an embarrassing amount of money will do the exact opposite of silencing the haters. Mets fans whined in the 90s when the Yankees did this. To clarify, I don’t see anything wrong with it, but the haters are going to be very vocal.
I hear the same BS from Met’s fans every season and every season the Mets find a way to release the proverbial load of dookie in their pants. It will hurt more this season for that fanbase because of all the silly money they threw around as if that’s how to win. Unnecessary were Canha and Escobar. Giving Max that much money after he showed his age in the playoffs last season was super risky and now with two months of down time for old Max staring them in the face and not knowing what to expect from him or deGrom for the remainder of this season, I’m sure they’re starting to panic over there. They’re looking into giving what’s left of their prospects away for pieces that probably won’t help. The Mets are basically the Lakers of baseball at this point. Not much quantity in the way of youth on the way up just a front office that throws money at every problem. Might as well trade Vientos and Baty now for Montas the A’s will surely add them to the next bunch of youth that will give them a decent team for a few years. Mets Met it’s that simple.
I assure you, no one over here is panicking. This is all you. It’s one thing to obsess over LOL Mets in your own head, but don’t project it onto us.
The Mets aren’t just spending money. They are creating a team with quality players who have the right mindset for a culture they are building.
Keep watching. If they divert from that plan then they might not succeed. Uncle Steve isn’t just wealthy, he has already shown he knows how to execute decisions that make short and long-term success.
Is any team really afraid of the Mets? You look at the offense and it doesn’t scare you. You look at their bullpen..nope same thing. Their rotation (top 3) is amongst the best objectively but any team with a good 1-3 can match them on any given day.
This season, the games the Mets would have lost last season(s), they won this season. Lots of things are going their way so far, especially their easy schedule. Let the already aging Mets team deplete their already weak depth..they will regret it when (if) they get eliminated in the postseason by playing good teams consistently.
Hahahaha! You are making a fool of yourself. Mets 27-14. Easy schedule. LOL. Maybe they should put Alabama on the schedule. Oh wait, this is MLB. You beat who is on the schedule. Mets 3 of 4 from the Giants. Mets 6 of 9 from the Fillies. Mets 5 of 7 from the Cardinals. Let me bathe in your bitter tears of despair.
Don’t be like Tim Anderson. Don’t be sensitive.
I somehow refuse to believe Phils, Cards, or Giants will make the postseason this year, but I do agree that they are beating everybody so far and beating teams they should beat. Too bad the Phillies are the Phillies (bullpen) and the Cards decided to play bad defense. Regardless again, their schedule has been largely easy. Let’s see how they play when it toughens up a bit coming up.
Phillies are a bad team with a weak offense.
The six up votes have to be from Met’s fans. Dude the Mets do this to their fans all the time. Let me know when they actually win something other than the off season. It’s not about what they’ve done so far this season it’s about the mess they currently find themselves in pitching wise. Two of the starters that helped them early on are out and out for a while and deGrom is out for a while still. It’s all ????????? at this point and they have nothing great in the system to help them pitch. You rattle off records against teams they beat while still fairly healthy but fail to even acknowledge the fact that they’re in a bad spot. It’s all fine and dandy to make big splashy moves for big names to grab headlines to boost your ego as an owner but when you know literally F all about the sport throwing money at everything is the worst move that team could have made. They needed to get younger but got considerably older.
Mets are in first place and you are calling them a mess. Deluded much?
” You rattle off records against teams they beat while still fairly healthy but fail to even acknowledge the fact that they’re in a bad spot.”
You also fail to mention that every team above them for the most part are very healthy. Outside of Tatis, and recent injuries, can you name another team that has a better record with worse injuries?
I saw you photo and assumed your were stupid. Then you had to comment and confirm it. Piss off troll.
Toss in $50M and the A’s say yes. It’s all about the money.
For $50M they would kidnap Mahle for you too! Probably even transport to a predetermined location.
As a reds fan I expect we’ll lose Mahle this year considering the direction out fecklessly clueless ownership is heading; but man anyone but the Mets…
I get tired of these “championship buying” teams.
Really? I would think you would not touch the Mets because their farm stinks. The Dodgers tho? I’m sure there is something the Reds would want in the Dodger’s ever-growing minors. In fact, I can picture Mahle in Dodger blue already.
It seems like you’re just saying random bad stuff about the Mets, without any regard to how true what you’re saying is.
Their best prospect is their C whom they will not trade for anybody short of Soto. What else do they have and why would the Reds want to? They have much better options and you know it.
The Mets have a decent farm system. I dunno what the Reds want but the Mets farm doesn’t stink. Your criticisms just seem a bit arbitrary.
The Mets farm is ranked in the bottom 10. It is decent for the Mets, but why would the Reds want to work with them when they have 20 other teams with better options available for one of their better players – especially a hot commodity like a pitcher?
Everything he’s said is true. The Mets do not, by any standards, have the best farm in MLB, or even one that is remotely good. The Giants, Phillies, and Cardinals are good teams, but in no way are they the upper echelon of Major League teams. The Mets rank 10th of the 15 NL teams in strength of their schedule thus far (playoffstatus.com/mlb/nationalsospg.html#sflx). The Mets are an “aging” team, as they have a lot of old guys. The Mets have a good offense, but it isn’t top five in baseball this year, so it’s not “scary”. Bullpen is around league average. I just don’t get your point. Everything he said is verifiable and can withstand fact-checking. Therefore, it’s true.
The Mets have a top 10 prospect in Alvarez, two mid 30-40 level guys in Baty and Mauricio, a huge power bat right around 100 in Vientos, a fast moving tennager named Alex Ramirez, a TJ recovering Matt Allen and a yennage in Ziegler with 48 strikeouts in 20 some innings. Do some research.
That said I wouldn’t trade any of them for Mahle – would be more inclined to take the albatross of a contract of Moustakis and cut bait. May consider Vientos or Mauricio for Montas but prefer to go to the Cubs and take deadweight Heyward and trade lower end lottery tickets for Hendricks. Otherwise grab a reliable innings guy and wait.
With two first round picks this year plus a comp after round 1 we have 4 in the top 65. I think the farm system is underrated now but will be much better soon.
Since when is ranking of a farm system considered a fact?
Don’t forget Butto and Juan Simon, their top international draftee this year.
DodgersWorld: Absolutely no one, by any standards, has claimed that the Mets have the “best farm in MLB”. You gotta stick to arguing against points people are actually bringing up, not exaggerations you fabricate. The claim was made that the Mets farm system stinks and has nothing worthwhile to offer. That claim is hyperbolic and inaccurate.
Arguing about farm system rankings when discussing Tyler Mahle is funny.
Any team in baseball has the requisite prospects to trade for Mahle.
MLB PIPELINE: Mets ranked 20th: .mlb.com/news/farm-system-rankings-2022-preseason
Prospects 1500: Mets ranked 22nd prospects1500.com/milb/2022-mlb-farm-system-rankings/
Baseball America: Mets ranked 15th sports.yahoo.com/ mets-farm-system-takes-step-185634270.html
Bleacher Report: Mets ranked 18th
bleacherreport.com/articles/2952854-brs-updated-mlb-farm-system-rankings-ahead-of-2022-season
There’s a pretty clear consensus that the Mets farm is below average. Sure, they might have good talent, but there are 20 other teams with better prospects than them.
Any team in baseball could trade for Mahle. But there will likely be a massive bidding war, which will drive up the price. Plus, there’s no guarantee any team WOULD trade the required prospects.
The ranking of a farm system is a pretty decent indicator of where players right now are valued to be in a team’ farm, which is what matters when you are conducting a trade. Farm system rankings aren’t always reliable when talking about what a farm will bring to a team in the future, but that is not relevant when discussing trades.
Dodgers: you make a different point in every post. Try sticking to one. All I’m saying is that the Mets farm system isn’t bad. You are all over the place.
speaking to team ranking front, right now the yankees are considered the best team and orioles are a bottom level team. Now i need a CF which many teams need, but i think i would rather get Mullins than Hicks if im looking for upgrades. So just because the team rankings dont have them high overall doesnt mean there isnt a diamond hidden in the junk.
You’re forgetting that the reds are just inept enough to make it happen
FWIW though, Keith Law had 5 Mets Prospects in the top 100. I’m sure it’s changed since he made the list, but the Mets aren’t as bad as you say when it comes to the farm
The Mets have the prospects to make it happen. They’re too heavy, but the prospects are there. The question, though, is do the Mets want to pay that price?
No chance I trade any top 7 guys right now or Ziegler. Nothing worth it.
Bingo.
And they will make a couple trades happen this year. And they will pay with 1 substantial prospect in one of them. And then they will backload with their #10-11 picks in this year’s draft.
They don’t have depth now, but Alvarez, Baty, Allen, Mauricio, Vientos, Ramirez, and Szapucki are a nice core that is or will be ready to contribute over the next 0-3 years while the depth of the farm is improved.
DeGrom, Alonso, McNeil, Nimmo, Nido, Smith, Lugo, Megill – homegrown. Next.
Oh, and I forgot Peterson.
So 3 everyday players and 2 starting pitchers. A backup starter. A backup catcher. Not a lot. Mets are a fantastic team and made some smart moves, but come on…Cohen’s money bought this talent. No shame in that.
Such negativity and then you throw in some backhanded compliments to make it look like you’re being objective. Same old Von.
Part of building a team is using homegrown players to trade for established players. And of course having a crap ton of money certainly helps
Better than the three Phillies. Bohm, Nola, Hoskins. I guess you can add Suarez although he is nothing special.
How is it negative? Whar is wrong with making smart FA signings? Nothing. But let’s not act like the Mets have a homegrown core. That’s ridiculous. Some great homegrown takent, but the offseason moves are what makes them a contender.
@bryan c Absolutely better than the Phillies who have failed to produce anything homegrown throughout the majority of their history. What I’m commending is the Mets ability to surround 4 or so players with top FA talent and depth. This is a well constructed team. Yes it was very expensive, but plenty of others try and fail to do the same. The Phillies are of many examples.
It has been a total team effort, but I refuse to believe Marte, Escobar, and Canha are difference-making players long-term. Nimmo and McNeil to me are the reason the team has overachieved thus far. Regardless how you look at it, the offense is nothing special.
I think given the lack of power we’re seeing so far, the Mets ability to score runs without the longball is a big reason for their success.
Atlanta will be in 1st by August
That is amongst the possibilities that exist.
‘Drop Dead Fred’ was a good movie.
So was ‘Better Off Dead’
The two teams that right now are under 500 but will be in the thick of everything by season’s end are the Red Sox and Braves….They will at least have the wild card book it
Surprised they didn’t try for Montas in a package with Bassett. Either way, Oakland is going to ask for a kings ransom.
Mets do not have anything the A’s need so they would need to get a 3rd team involved. The A’s need a middle of the order hitting prospect which they have been asking for in trade.
I’ve seen you post this nonsense before. You know nothing of what the A’s think about the Mets system.
Please tell us what the A’s need from the mets team for Montas. I can easily debunk what you pretend the A’s want. Please no player that is even close to arbitration years because the A’s do not want arbitration players or payroll players. Were you not the same guy who claimed the A’s wanted JD Davis and Cano?
ARC 23 hours ago
Please tell us what the A’s need from the mets team for Montas. I can easily debunk what you pretend the A’s want
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No, that’s almost impossible. Someone can propose a trade that you don’t like, but any team that is starting a complete rebuild, needs everything. Montas has 1.75 years left. Almost any team’s top 2-3 prospects should do the trick.
Well Joe you are wrong on both. First the A’s are not doing a complete rebuyild even the MLB rumors writers said the same thing. Second if you follow the A’s you would know there is no middle of the line up hitters. So go out and tell me which players on the team is a middle of the lineup hitter since you are a expert. A’s already traded for their other big need starting pitchers in the other 3 trades they made this year. Fact is not team so far is willing to give up a teams top 2 and 3 prospects. teams are holding onto prospects. When was the last time a team’s top 3 prospects was involved in a trade?
Vientos is that power bat. Baty less power more performance
At this point I’d say the A’s need anything.
As long as the Mets don’t trade from their farm system, Alvarez,Baty or Allan is so forget it. Isn’t Carlos Martinez out there and Big Sexy would love to see him again
They’re going to have to give up one in a deal for a pitcher. The other prospects will be lottery tickets.
Whose farm system do you suggest they use?
That’s what I was thinking.
Man, it is so refreshing to see teams go for it like this. The Mets, already in first, sustain injury & immediately they’re on the hunt for good arms. I like what they’re doing, Mets fans have to like what they see with Cohen. How different is he than the past several owners, huh?
Thank God for fans owning teams, they actually want to, ya know, win!
Yeah @Yankee Clipper….I’m certain you miss George’s approach to the team and get annoyed with Hal being cheap…I wish John Henry had Steve Cohen money Mets fans are now blessed. They deserve it after dealing with the Wilpons lol
And yet, the Yankees are crushing it. I’m not exactly sure their approach is wrong. Both the Mets ang the Yanks sit amongst the top 5 teams in the game right now.
Maybe even top 3
Mahle apparently is an anti-vaxxer. The Mets can have him.
Mets have a few of those already, as do most teams.
Every city, every town, every village, every church, synagogue and mosque, etc. Lots of folks don’t get vaxxed.
Reds should keep Mahle this season-unless some team insists on overpaying for him. Trade Castillo &/or Minor. Tyler gives the Reds a lot of quality innings and stays off IL..
Im an A’s fan…who is Tyler Mahle?