Mets Trade Deadline: What we should like and not like about the moves

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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 6: Todd Frazier #21 of the New York Mets runs off the field laughing with teammates after the end of an inning in an MLB baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies on September 6, 2019 at Citi Field in the Queens borough of New York City. Mets won 5-4. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) /

The trade deadline season is over and the New York Mets came away with three moves we can feel good and bad about.

The 2020 MLB trade deadline came and went in the blink of an eye. All of the moves made by the New York Mets came between 3-4pm. During that time, the club made two separate deals with the Texas Rangers for veterans and another with the Baltimore Orioles for a reliever.

In total, the Mets managed to bring in Miguel Castro for the bullpen, Robinson Chirinos for behind the plate, and Todd Frazier to sell some merchandise to the good people of Toms River. Did you know he’s from there?

All the Mets gave up (so far) is prospect Kevin Smith. They somehow managed to trade a player to be named later twice to Texas. The fools! Don’t they realize the Mets have a European minor league named Benny Playertobenamedlater?

Now that the dust has settled on these moves, we can think a little more healthily about them. A good night’s sleep or two is always important before jumping to any sort of conclusion.

Even after catching some shuteye, there’s an underwhelming feeling about what Brodie Van Wagenen did at this year’s trade deadline. However, I do have to compliment him on one thing: he didn’t screw anything up.

This could always change. Smith winning a Cy young in Baltimore would hurt. What if Playertobenamedlater ends up hitting 70 home runs with the Rangers?

We can’t yet fully grade the moves made by the Mets because we don’t actually know the final deals. At this stage, we can only talk about our feelings.

And right now, I’m feeling the good and the bad. Let’s start with the former and talk about what I liked about these moves.

BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 17: Miguel Castro #50 of the Baltimore Orioles walks back to the dug out during a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 17, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

What we should like about the 2020 Mets trade deadline moves

Castro is a good addition to the Mets’ bullpen. I’m shocked at how young he is. I first heard of him when he got involved in the 2015 trade that sent Jose Reyes to the Colorado Rockies. Still only 25, there’s plenty of hope he can develop further.

The Mets needed at least one fresh bullpen arm if they wanted any shot at competing. This raises the most important question of all about this trade deadline; are the Mets actually capable of winning a championship this year?

Onto the Texas moves, let’s begin with the positives about the Frazier reunion.

It would be hypocritical of me and just about every other Mets fan to not understand why the team acquired him. Anyone who wrote about potential Frazier trades while he was on the Mets always added in how his veteran leadership would be a big factor. This is exactly one of the justifications as to why he’s back in Flushing.

I’m willing to give the ToddFather a chance to show this actually is an asset to the ball club. Certainly capable of some big hits, I think he has at least one game-winner left in him down the final stretch of the season.

Finally, there’s Chirinos. I don’t know what to think of him but people tell me he’s a good defender. Despite a lackluster batting average this year, he has shown the ability to hit with some pop. Maybe his presence can help Tomas Nido or give Wilson Ramos a nudge to be better.

I’m really reaching for positives about Chirinos, aren’t I? Hopefully, it didn’t cost the team very much.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JULY 09: Robinson Chirinos #61 of the Texas Rangers in action during an intrasquad game during Major League Baseball summer workouts at Globe Life Field on July 09, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

What we shouldn’t like about the 2020 Mets trade deadline moves

There’s always a “but” isn’t there? Let’s talk about some buts.

As much as I enjoy the fact that Castro is a younger pitcher with promise, he has already pitched a few years and there isn’t much control. He can stay around with the Mets for two more seasons before the team has to pay him some big boy money. I’m not even sure they will want to.

Contract-wise, this wasn’t a spectacular deal for the Mets. Castro is already in his arbitration years which means if he’s pitching poorly the team is not getting a deal. He has been above average since joining the Orioles so he should be getting paid about what he deserves.

The one problem with the Castro move is that the club gave up a prospect with a potentially bright future ahead of him. This is always the negative in any trade so I won’t hold it against Van Wagenen too personally.

For Frazier, I don’t like reruns all that much. This is especially true when they aren’t good enough. I know the Mets weren’t going to somehow swing a deal for a superstar third baseman. It just felt a little lazy bringing Frazier in. When you’re going after a championship, go all out for it.

Then there’s Chirinos. The bad thing about him is he hasn’t hit a lick this year. He never really has. Let’s not get too surprised by how low his batting average is.

The major negative with the Chirinos addition happens when the Mets pick up his option next season. It’s not the cost that scares me but the potential that this is all they will do to improve their catcher situation. I know we all want J.T. Realmuto and many would be happy with James McCann. A full year of Chirinos isn’t going to get it done for me.

Next. Best Mets trade deadline deals of all-time

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The trade deadline moves made by the Mets this week didn’t deplete the farm system nor did they propel this team into the thick of the pennant race. They were great moves for a team already at the top. For a team in the position they’re currently sitting, it feels a little like they made moves for the sake of doing anything at all.

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