Happy Anniversary Mets fans! It may not be at the level of
Bobby Bonilla Day -- yet, but it is an anniversary that Mets’ fans shudder to
think about.
It was one year ago today that Mets General Manager Brodie
Van Wagenen completed a deal with the Seattle Mariners to acquire closer Edwin
Diaz and second baseman Robinson Cano for Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak and three
prospects, one of whom turned out to be Jarred Kelenic.
We all know what happened. The trade turned out to be a
colossal disaster for the Mets. Diaz, who was the AL Reliever of the Year in
2018, was the complete antithesis last season, posting a career worse 5.59 ERA
in 66 games, while blowing seven saves and losing his position as the teams
closer.
Instead the Mets had to rely on a closer by committee of
Seth Lugo, Justin Wilson and Robert Gsellman just to end games without having
to worry a large lead would be blown.
Robinson Cano was no better. The 36-year old second baseman
sent to the Mets as a cash dump by Seattle, was either ineffective at the plate
or injured. There was really no in between for Cano.
Aside from a four consecutive multi-hit games in early
August, there wasn’t a lot to write home about for the former Yankee. Cano
wound up with only 100 hits in 390 at bats with 13 homers and a career-worst 39
RBI. He hit .256, also a career low. The worst part of the Cano trade? He’s
under contract for three more years. Nice.
It’s not like Seattle made out like bandits either. Jay
Bruce and Anthony Swarzeck both underwhelmed early in the season and were
quickly traded. Gerson Bautista was really bad in eight games out of the pen
with an ERA of 11, and Justin Dunn did ‘ok’ in four relief outings.
What gave Seattle the edge in this deal, of course, is
Kelenic. The 19-year old outfield prospect flourished in the Mariners farm
system, batting .291 with 23 homers and 68 RBI between Single-A, High-A and
Double-A ball. The Mariners hope that his progress continues in the minors in
2020 before becoming a factor at the Big League level by at least 2021.
Why bring this up now? Well, the Mets might be on the
precipice of another big trade for a former Reliever of the Year. As has been
reported both here on Amazin’ Clubhouse and other outlets, the Mets are
interested in Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader.
Hader dominated hitters in 2019, recording 281 strikeouts in
157 innings. It’s hard to find lefty relievers, and it is even harder to find
lefty relievers who break 95-plus on their fastball.
The Mets are interested, for no other reason than Hader is
(let me know if you heard this before) a former CAA client of Van Wagenen’s.
Are the Mets prepared to do this again? Really? Has Van
Wagenen learned from past mistakes? If the Mets were to part with a major hall
of players, which many reports indicated would be a prerequisite to even begin
discussions with Milwaukee, it would be a major risk.
The Mets do not have a deep farm system, and their best
prospects are far down in the minor league system. They are also not one player
away from seriously contending for a World Series. At the same time there is
pressure to win-now when a two-time Cy Young Award winner in Jacob deGrom, and
reigning Rookie of the Year, Pete Alonso are on the roster.
Past is prologue? We’ll see. As you hang that tinsel on the
Christmas tree, remember, Happy Anniversary Mets fans!
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