Mets Trade Pitch: Sending Zack Wheeler and others to the Indians

New York acquires LHP Sam Hentges and OF Daniel Johnson

Personally, I’d rather the Mets recieve quality over quantity in regards to minor league prospects.

In this case, as they are sending over three major league players to Cleveland and paying the way for the two of them with larger contracts, I would be perfectly satisfied with the Mets receiving two of their top 25 minor league prospects.

The player with the biggest potential would be left-handed starting pitcher Sam Hentges, Cleveland’s 10th ranked prospect. Hentges is a 22 years old southpaw with a big bodied 6 foot 6′ 245 LB frame.

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Despite being drafted in 2014, Hentges is currently in Double-A, as he missed a lot of time after requiring Tommy John Surgery in 2016, and missed much of the following year. He had a breakout season in 2018, leading the Class A Advanced Carolina League in strikeout rate (9.3 per nine innings) and ranking second in ERA with a 3.27.

His fastball sits at the low-to-mid 90s, along with a solid curve ball and a cutter as his off speed options, and is currently trying to develop his change-up. As a starting pitcher, he is a work in progress but possesses a lot of raw talent and could develop into a very reliable major league player.

Daniel Johnson is the Tribe’s 22nd ranked prospect and is nearly major league ready. He is a left-handed outfielder who is capable of playing all three positions.

At 23 years old, Johnson began the 2019 season in Double-A before being promoted to Triple-A back in June. Between the two teams, he is batting .288 with a .367 OBP with 15 home runs, 60 RBI and 11 stolen bases.

Oddly enough, he actually improved on his batting average after being promoted to Triple-A, as he is batting .314 with a .389 OBP in 47 games with Columbus. Despite his success, Cleveland currently has a crowded outfield full of young players and may be willing to part with Johnson in order to make a playoff push this year.

So in summary, the Indians get two solid starting pitchers and a right-handed power hitter, along with salary relief in exchange for a project pitcher with a big upside and a Triple-A outfielder.

The Mets will restock their farm system with two quality prospects and free up room on the big league roster to give some younger players a chance to play, while the Indians will have a solution their struggling starting rotation.

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What trade or trades would you like to see the Mets make this month?