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AAOP: Building Flexibility for Today and Tomorrow

Arbitration Eligible Players:

Sign Marcus Stroman for $11.8MM

Sign Noah Syndergaard for $9.9MM

Sign Steven Matz for $5.3MM

Sign Michael Conforto for $9.2MM

Sign Edwin Diaz for $7.0MM

Sign Seth Lugo for $1.9MM

Sign Brandon Nimmo for $1.7MM

Sign Robert Gsellman for $1.2MM

Release: Joe Panik

This seems pretty straightforward. All the players offered contracts have value exceeding their likely arbitration numbers. Joe Panik seems like a nice guy, but he lacks the value needed to offer a contract. He will likely be fighting for a 25 man roster spot for s second division team this year.

Trades

Trade 2B Robinson Cano to the Boston Red Socks for LHP David Price and LHP Darwinzon Hernandez (Mets retain the $3.75MM paid per year by Seattle)

Essentially a flip of bad contracts. Boston needs to shed salary to make a run at resigning Mookie Betts. David Price is owed $96 MM over the next three years and Robinson Cano is owed $96 over the next four years. While the money evens out over the long-term, Boston saves $8MM per year the next three years in luxury cap space. Both players have flashed that they can still be productive, but both have health and other concerns that raise doubts about their long term value. That said, the value proposition for both players is better on their new clubs. Boston has a hole at second base and Cano will represent an upgrade. He will also have the ability to transition to DH once his defense drops off. In exchange for taking on more salary per year, the Mets also receive 22 year old Darwinzon Hernandez, a lefty with a plus-plus fastball and wipeout curve, as evidenced by his absurd 16.91 k/9 stat line. Unfortunately, the kid has no control (see: 7.71 BB/9). If he learns to harness his gifts, he could become an elite late inning reliever.

Trade RHP Noah Syndergaard to the San Diego Padres for RHP Luis Patiño,

SS C.J. Abrams, LHP Adrian Morejon, C Luis Campusano, and RHP Luis Perdomo

It would take a huge haul to justify dealing Thor, and this package represents such a haul. Essentially this deal includes San Diego’s number #3, #4, #6, and #7 prospects, plus an effective sinkerball specialist that can act as a swing man. San Diego has been linked to Syndergaard before. They are looking to jumpstart their window by bringing in an ace. The Padres see this as a win in that they execute the deal without parting with any of their cornerstone players (Tatis Jr., Paddack, Urias, Gore, or Trammell). What they do give up is: 1. Patiño, the #30 prospect in baseball. He is an athletic 20 year old that brings a bulldog mentality to the mound. He will likely start the year in AA; 2. C.J. Abrams the #45 prospect in baseball. He brings plus-plus speed, an above average hit tool, and a mature approach. He is currently a shortstop, but may end up a centerfielder. He will likely start next year in high A ball; 3. Luis Campusano, the #86 prospect in baseball, is catching prospects that flashes ability on both sides of the ball. Known for a strong arm, Campusano had a breakout year at the plate. He has plus raw power and a good approach. He will likely start next year in AA; 4. Adrian Morejon is a Cuban lefthander with the makings of a plus fastball and plus curveball. Morejon got a cup of coffee with the Padres last year and should be ready by the middle of 2020. Currently, a starter, but injury concerns could force him to a bullpen role; and 4. Luis Perdomo is sinkerballer that was converted to the bullpen last year with some positive returns. He is somebody capable of multi-inning stints out of the pen.

Trade 1B Dominic Smith, LHP Thomas Szapucki, and INF Shevyen Newton to Toronto Blue Jays for C Reese McGuire and OF/SS Lourdes Gurriel, Jr.

This represents a deal of a couple of young players that emerged last year, but are blocked on their current teams. Dominic Smith has an engaging personality and a promising hit tool. However, he has a polar bear in his way. Toronto could use an upgrade over Smoak. Reese McGuire has always been lauded for his defense, but had a surprisingly good year with the bat. He has been relegated to a backup role due to blue chipper Danny Jansen. Szapucki was once one of the top pitching prospects in the Mets system. Last year represented his first year back from Tommy John. He continues to be an interesting prospect. Shervyen Newton is the #8 prospect in the Mets system. He has lots of raw tools, but has a ways to go to reach his potential. Similar to J.D. Davis, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had a bit of breakout year as a 26 year old. He can play all around the diamond. While a valuable player for the Blue Jays they are loaded with young talent and Gurriel is expendable.

Trade C Wilson Ramos to Cincinnati Red for RHP Raisel Iglesias and C Tucker Barnhart

After a disappointing season, the contract for Raisel Iglesias begins to look a bit expensive. He is due $18.125 MM over the next two years. The Reds swap out a defensive oriented catcher for a better bat in Ramos. Through these moves, the Reds save $3.25 MM this year and $11.25 over the life of the contracts. For the Mets Iglesias continue to show a great strikeout to walk ratio last year and seems like a good candidate to bounce back. Along with Lugo, Familia, and Diaz, he gives us another pitcher with closer experience. Barnhart is an old school player whose value does not show up on the box score. He a catcher that truly shepherds pitchers through the game.

Signings:

Sign RHP Zack Wheeler to a four year $80MM contract

Of the free agent pitchers, Zack clearly has the most upside. Given his ace like performance the second half of 2018, last year was a big disappointment. Despite the step back, Wheeler still had a number of fantastic starts and a solid overall season. With a new coaching regime and his undeniable stuff, he could still reach his potential as a true ace. He is worth the risk.

Sign CF Billy Hamilton to a one year $1.5MM contract

Oh if only he could hit… Billy Hamilton offers one elite tool. That one tool gives him value as a pinch runner and defensive replacement.

Minor League signings: RHP Jerad Eickhoff, RHP Jhoulys Chacin, 2b/SS Chris Owings, OF Carlos Gomez, OF Rajai Davis

Starting Lineup:

CF Brandon Nimmo ($1.7MM)

2B Jeff McNeil ($575k)

1B Pete Alonso ($575k)

RF Michael Conforto ($9.2MM)

3B J.D. Davis ($575k)

LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (575k)

SS Amed Rosario ($575k)

C Reese McGuire ($575k)

Bench:

3B Jed Lowrie ($12MM)

SS Luis Guillorme ($575k)

CF Billy Hamilton ($1.5MM)

OF Sam Haggerty ($575k)

C Tucker Barnhart ($3.5MM)

Starting Pitchers:

RHP Jacob deGrom ($23MM)

RHP Zack Wheeler ($20MM)

RHP Marcus Stroman ($11.8MM)

LHP David Price ($32MM)

LHP Steven Matz ($5.3MM)

Bullpen:

RHP Seth Lugo ($1.9MM)

RHP Raisel Iglesias ($9MM)

RHP Edwin Diaz ($7MM)

RHP Jeurys Familia ($11MM)

RHP Luis Perdomo ($1 MM)

LHP Dawinzon Hernandez ($575k)

RHP Robert Gsellman ($1.2MM)

LHP Justin Wilson ($5MM)

IR: LF Yoenis Cespedes ($29.5MM)

Cash Consideration: Seattle contributes $3.75MM (Cano trade)

Total Payroll: $187.025

Top Prospects:

1. RHP Luis Patiño,

2. SS C.J. Abrams

3. SS Ronnie Mauricio

4. 3B Brett Baty

5. C Luis Campusano

6. SS Andres Gimenez

7. RHP Matthew Allen

8. LHP Adrian Morejon

9. C Francisco Alvarez

10. 3B Mark Vientos

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