Mets Diamond Notes: Trading Scott Hairston, Shutting Down Johan Santana?

Once the Mets went through their second half tailspin coming out of the gate following the All-Star break, Sandy Alderson retracted his earlier statement that the team would be buyers at the non-waiver trade deadline. Rumors surrounded power hitting outfielder Scott Hairston (.264/.305/.516), as the Detroit Tigers were the most public inquirer about attempting to acquire his services. However, talks didn’t go very far, as Alderson was asking for a top-3 prospect in return. With waiver wire trades being allowed until August 31st, the rumors about dealing Hairston are re-surfacing.

Ken Davidoff of the New York Post said that the Mets should not only place Hairston on waivers, but they should trade him away for a prospect or two before the calendar turns to September. The outfielder hasn’t been placed on waivers just yet, which makes sense since New York wants to get as much production out of him as possible. However, with 2012 virtually in the rearview mirror, Davidoff says that trading Hairston is the smartest thing to do, and I agree. At this point, whether the Mets finish at .500 or not isn’t going to matter much, and if the organization can get some pieces back that can help them in 2013, then it would be worth it. Hairston would be a rental for any team that acquires him, so there is a chance that New York re-signs him in the winter. Now is the time Sandy, put him on waivers and see what teams are willing to pay to get him on their roster.

Keeping a mind on 2013, Metszilla asked the question that everyone’s been thinking about, but not many have actually asked: should Johan Santana be shut down for the rest of the season? He’s been brutal in his last four starts, compiling a 17.36 ERA, and hasn’t been the Johan we saw early in the season before he threw the no-hitter on June 1st. Santana is under team control through next season, and he will be an important part of the rotation next year as the Mets look to continue getting closer to being a perennial contender. Terry Collins and everyone associated with the organization has said multiple times their ace is healthy, but if he turns in another lackluster start on Friday in Washington, there will be even more questions to ask that will actually need to be answered this time.

Getting back in the starting rotation, Jenrry Mejia threw five innings and gave up two runs (neither of which were earned), while giving up six hits and walking only one. There’s still a lot of development to be done and progress to be made with Mejia, but it’s looking more and more as if he’s best suited as a starting pitcher and not a reliever; something the Mets front office seemingly is not willing to accept. With the starting rotation set next year and Mejia’s extreme struggles out of the bullpen, New York should look to trade Mejia for some young, MLB-ready talent over the winter. Also, Lucas Duda went 3-for-5 in that game with two doubles. Looks like the Duda is abiding again. Just sayin’.