Never say never.
The deadline for trading in 2020 Major League Baseball will be like no other. Due to difficult circumstances that are out of control of anyone, the chances of blockbuster deals ahead of August 31 feel remote. In fact, I would be shocked if one real star is moved before the deadline. There’s just too much ambiguity in a season like this, and too little information to make franchise-changing moves.
But that does not mean that all hope is lost for movements that are made. Some general managers will be aggressive and take risks. And in a year where so much (sports and non-sports) does not make much sense, do not be shocked when the Yankees and Mets find common ground on a trade.
I know, I know it. These franchises rarely do business. I remember the Jay Bruce miss of a few years back. And to this day, no one is quite sure what happened to the Noah Syndergaard-Gary Sanchez-JT Realmuto three-way deal that was announced for the 2019 season.
However, a deal needs to be made between the cross-city rivals, as Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman can find some common ground.
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Here’s the deal, and why it would make sense for both sides.
All stats valid for entry on play on August 21st.
Yankees win: Seth Lugo (2.61 ERA, 5.50 SO / BB), Edwin Diaz (2.53 ERA, 4.80 SO / BB)
Mets received: Clint Frazier (1,067 OPS, 188 OPS +), Jonathan Loaisiga (2.77 ERA, 3.75 SO / BB)
Why the Yankees would do it
Pitching needs reinforcements: James Paxton is a mess, and now hurt. Zack Britton is on the injured list. It feels like a once deep stick keeps its head above water thanks to the greatness of Gerrit Cole. Lugo can be a swingman, and needs help in any way. Diaz’s strike rate (more than 20 fighters fading per nine innings) is enough to make you believe the game is still there. Maybe getting out of Queens can help.
Buy-low on Diaz’s head: Diaz reminds me so much of ex-Phillies closer to Brad Lidge. Up and down. Under and up. Great thing with swing-and-miss, but an inability to consistently string for years. The Yankees would not be afraid to take a risk here. If Diaz reinvents it, no team could match a Britton-Ottavino-Diaz-Chapman relief quartet.
The value of Frazier will not last forever: I love Frazier. If I ran the Yankees, every playing time would be shortened to a hitter with pop and swagger. But I do not run the Yankees, and Frazier will probably never be the one to play the franchise enough to get the most out of it. Frazier has trade value, but that will not last much longer, as his service life increases and the outlook shines.
Why the Mets would do it
DH changes future setup equation: You may be wondering how the Mets fill another bad in a tight lineup with square pins in round holes. Do not forget that this team went important at-bats for Yoenis Cespedes. Frazier may have something. He can also play left field. Finally, a team with Frazier, JD Davis, Jeff McNeil, Pete Alonso, Michael Conforto, Robinson Cano and Dominic Smith has one too many bats for a bad spot. That can be dealt with later.
Get out of the Diaz mess: Clearly I still believe that Diaz can be a good relief. But sometimes a chance at landscape is necessary. This feels like when Sonny Gray and Javier Vazquez had to leave the Bronx. The Jarred Kelenic trade is a black cloud over the Mets franchise.
Set for 2021 and beyond: This is where an arm like Loaisiga (under club rule through the 2024 season) is a major draw. We know that the Mets will have a new owner in the near future, which will probably lead to more spending. But the best teams have good, young and cheap talent under control that can be supplemented by additions with free agent. This kind of deal helps the Mets get closer to that.
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