Mets: Jeurys Familia trade value plummeting as deadline approaches

New York Mets closer Jeurys Familia has not looked sharp lately. How much damage will it do to his trade value?

We always knew when the New York Mets finally did trade Jeurys Familia we wouldn’t get back anything too special. There was a hope that the Mets could land a diamond in the rough or two in any trade for the longtime closer. His numbers speak volumes and should convince at least one egg head in the front office somewhere else to take a chance.

As the 2018 MLB trade deadline approaches, it, unfortunately, looks a whole lot less likely.

Relief pitchers are some of the most valuable summer trade chips. Even those at the top of the standings look to bolster their bullpen. While there are certainly multiple landing spots for Familia, it doesn’t look like he’s worth much more than a couple of low-level guys team are barely interested in keeping.

For the second year in a row, the Mets go into a trade deadline as sellers. Once again, they don’t have the star talent to help them rebuild a fading farm system.

Last year’s trades included moving pending free agents Jay Bruce, Curtis Granderson, Addison Reed, and Neil Walker. None of the players they got back in return are highly-touted. Many aren’t even in the organization’s top thirty prospects. Those who are rank near the bottom.

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When trading away guys on expiring contracts, you need superstars to get back a good haul. A team needs to trade away more than a rental.

The sour fact for the Mets is that the players they have on the roster with control are either too important for this franchise or immovable. The Mets are almost wiser to keep Todd Frazier than to trade him away for pennies.

Following his recent meltdown on the mound against the Pittsburgh Pirates last week, Familia’s ERA is well over 3.00. One bad performance can do that to a relief pitcher.

I know ERA isn’t everything, but there are other concerns with Familia. Did Terry Collins overuse him in 2015 and 2016?

Familia led the league in appearances both seasons. It’s a bit strange to see a closer do this. Typically a lefty specialist or a setup man will take that honor. In those two magical Mets season, it was Familia.

There’s a lot of mileage on his arm which is perhaps why he missed most of 2017. Coupled with a less than stellar 2018 season, it’s looking more and more like teams will start at the bottom of their prospect lists and work up when finding the players they’re willing to deal for Familia.

Next: Possible Jeurys Familia trade destinations

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I do believe the Mets will find a buyer for Familia. It’s the who and the for what we’ll have to wait on a little longer.