Mets Boxing Day Celebration: Three contracts the team would like to exchange

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DENVER, COLORADO – SEPTEMBER 16: Pitcher Jeurys Familia #27 of the New York Mets throws in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 16, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Jeurys Familia – Chicago White Sox

In reality, each of these Mets could fit any of the three teams mentioned here. Lowrie and Cespedes could find a home in Toronto, Texas, or with the final team I would like to look at, the Chicago White Sox. I’m going to give relief pitcher Jeurys Familia this Southside designation because they could probably take a risk on him a little greater than the others.

The White Sox have had a busy winter. They’ve added Yasmani Grandal behind the plate and their starting rotation will now feature Gio Gonzalez and Dallas Keuchel. They’re in a position to compete in the AL Central, more likely another year away from making any serious run.

Familia makes some sense for the White sox as a rebound candidate. A chance of scenery has helped plenty of athletes in the past. Considering they’ve spent quite big this offseason, I could envision a scenario where the Mets don’t have to eat any of his salary to dump him on the Southside of Chicago.

The addition of Dellin Betances to the Mets roster makes Familia even more expendable. The Mets shouldn’t bother trying to convince themselves he’ll have a better year in 2020. Instead, my preferred choice would be to see them deliver him somewhere else with the hope of using the free payroll to upgrade with a better player.

As with everyone on this list, trading Familia is easier said than done.

In his short time as the general manager, we have seen Van Wagenen admit to mistakes. The early DFA of Keon Broxton was a notable one last year and showed his willingness to move on quickly. Familia is getting paid a lot more than Broxton was in 2019 and unless the Mets replace him with a big league arm in the bullpen, they might not be much better.

Next. Three Mets most likely to be traded

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The Mets should continue exploring all possibilities with the overpriced players. Hopefully, if they do move on from any, it doesn’t force them into taking on a new bad deal or bite them in another way—like an All-Star season from an ex-player in a new city.