Mets: Possible trade for Andrew McCutchen?

 The trade market remains quiet for now, but the Mets may have something in the works.

Maybe the Mets are better at making offseason moves than we think. Maybe they’re just making us all sweat and then will come through in the end with a deal that actually works. Maybe they’re an organization that operates like baseball ninjas in the night!

I feel like I’m already giving the Wilpons too much credit. Regardless, this tweet from Ken Rosenthal popped up yesterday evening in regards to a possible trade for Andrew McCutchen:

Now the idea of this trade begs several questions. Who would the Mets give away for Cutch, and where would he play?

Despite his dip in production at the plate in 2016, he was able to have a bounce-back year. Which is why I’m sure we’re hearing his name on the trading block once again. Though it feels as though they’ve been trying to move him forever now. Cutch would make an excellent centerfielder for the Mets. Being that McCutchen is a .279 hitter and an all-star, I would imagine he would get the bulk of those center field starts over Juan Lagares. The Mets could then move Michael Conforto over to play right field. Either way, you’re getting a stellar defense out in center, and an upgrade from Lagares at the plate.

Who goes to the Steel City?

What would the Mets have to give? As everyone will tell you, the Mets don’t have many desirable prospects right now.  And the Bucs, like many other teams this offseason are looking for some bullpen help along with maybe some starting pitching.  I would hate to see the Mets already deconstructing that bullpen they’re starting to build, but if they absolutely had to give away a piece, I would say maybe Jeurys Familia.

I can hear you lighting your torches already. Familia has developed into a modern day, Armando Benitez. (Remember him)? In the sense that, I’m tired of watching him cough up important games for the Mets. When he returned to the field for the Mets last season after injury, Familia didn’t quite look as sharp as he used to. His ERA ballooning to 4.38 as well. I understand that he had been away for a decent chunk of the season. But I’d rather make note of the decline now before we watch it happen over and over and pretend to be surprised.

Next: Mets ‘monitoring’ Mike Moustakas

If the Mets don’t want to trade away from the bullpen they’re building, I could see maybe Zack Wheeler, Seth Lugo, or even Robert Gsellman, headed towards Pittsburgh. Then again, maybe the Bucs will want something completely different from the Mets and surprise us all. Especially after one of the last pitchers, we gave them was Jon Niese.