Mets: Three Cubs players worth trading for this offseason

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Manager Joe Maddon #70 of the Chicago Cubs talks at the mound with his infield during the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on September 30, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Andrew Weber/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Manager Joe Maddon #70 of the Chicago Cubs talks at the mound with his infield during the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on September 30, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Andrew Weber/Getty Images)
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Are the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets potential offseason trade partners? (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
Are the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets potential offseason trade partners? (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

With Jed Hoyer taking the reigns and the Chicago Cubs making almost everyone available, the New York Mets should look to restructure their roster by trading for these three players

The New York Mets have started to make moves this offseason outside of retaining players from the 2020 roster. With Trevor May signing a two-year deal to play for the Mets in 2021 and the Winter Meetings happening next week, Mets fans could be in for a flurry of moves over the coming weeks. And while Sandy Alderson has reportedly preferred to construct the roster through free agency as opposed to trade, it’s not unrealistic to think that the Mets could still be real players in the trade market.

While Mets fans are still holding out hope to see Francisco Lindor manning shortstop in 2021, it would behoove Alderson to call the Chicago Cubs and inquire about some possible trade opportunities. Reports have indicated that the Cubs are open to dealing a bevy of their players, including Javier Baez.

The Mets are looking to upgrade at multiple positions including centerfield, catcher and starting pitching. While there’s very real interest in free agents who could fill the gaps in all these areas, it’s also possible that these questions could be answered with some players currently on the Cubs’ roster. It’s been reported that both Washington and Atlanta could be possible landing spots for  Kris Bryant.

Considering the willingness to listen to offers, it would make sense for the Mets to check in with Chicago to see what the cost is for certainly players. This isn’t the first time that Mets-Cubs rumors have circulated. The two teams were connected in trade rumors the last few years.

With a new owner, money to spend and a solid core in tact, the Mets should make an attempt to trade for these three Cubs players this offseason.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 07: Kyle Hendricks #28 of the Chicago Cubs throws a pitch during the second inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on September 07, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 07: Kyle Hendricks #28 of the Chicago Cubs throws a pitch during the second inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on September 07, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

With the Mets looking to fortify their rotation, Kyle Hendricks would be a low cost addition

With Marcus Stroman accepting his qualifying offer, the Mets are looking to sure up their rotation and Kyle Hendricks would be a great piece to have heading into 2021. Hendricks is under contract for the next four years and will be making $14M annually until 2024, where his contract will go up to $16M before becoming a free agent.

Since his sophomore year in 2015, when he threw his first full season (180 IP), Hendricks has compiled a 3.17 ERA and a WHIP of 1.107, which is good for 10th in the National League over that time. In an era of increased velocity across the sport, the crafty right-hander averages just 87 MPH on his fastball. However, he makes up for the lack of velocity with his command as he’s been in the top 12 in the National League in walk rate since entering the league.

Hendricks would be a good addition to the rotation, especially if the Mets are planning on making moves this offseason that will sure up their defense. While Hendricks is a control-specialist, he doesn’t strikeout batters at a very high rate. In fact, Hendricks’s 7.78 K/9 ranks 97th in the NL since 2015. A beneficiary of good defense behind him, Hendricks’s style of pitching to contact could spell trouble for the Mets with the current defensive construction, but with changes on the horizon that are sure to improve their efficiency in the field, it’s worth considering.

The obvious question becomes, what could it cost to acquire Hendricks? The four remaining years of team control and reasonable salary would certainly drive up the price in talent. Given the already thinned farm system, it wouldn’t make sense to overpay in talent for Hendricks, but if the Mets don’t like their options in free agency, they could turn to the trade market and try to land the righty.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 07: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs at bat during the seventh inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on September 07, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 07: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs at bat during the seventh inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on September 07, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

The Mets have been linked to both J.T. Realmuto and James McCann, but could a trade for Willson Contreras be a fit?

The catching position in free agency is thin. After J.T. Realmuto and James McCann, the next best option would seemingly be 38 year old Yadier Molina. Again, the market is thin. So what about trading to upgrade the catcher position? There are a few more options if that is the case and a player like Willson Contreras could be a huge get for the Mets.

An All-Star in 2018 and 2019, the 28-year old had posted an OPS of .800 or more three times in five seasons since 2016. A right-handed bat with some pop, Contreras would be a nice addition to the lineup. The backstop has hit 20 homers twice, with a career-high 24 in 2019 in just 105 games.

While the Mets could use another right hander in their lineup, Contreras also would serve as a solid defensive catcher. Since coming into the league, he’s finished top 5 in the National League in throwing out runners three times, leading the NL outright in 2018 and 2020; his caught stealing percentage was fourth in the NL last year. While being able to throw out runners is a huge strength, Contreras also ranked 10th in all of baseball in catch framing metrics according to Statcast.

The Mets have been without a defensive presence behind the plate for a while and while the team is looking to add to their already top-tier offense, their defense is something that must be addressed this winter.

Contreras is slated to make $6.2M this year and then will enter his final year of arbitration in 2022 before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2023. With two years of control left and Contreras providing both defense and power from the side, if the price was right, it’s worth exploring for the Mets.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 15: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Chicago Cubs delivers the ball in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Wrigley Field on September 15, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 15: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Chicago Cubs delivers the ball in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Wrigley Field on September 15, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

If the Mets are wanting to bolster their pitching staff, adding Yu Darvish to compliment Jacob deGrom atop the rotation should be explored

While the thought of having Trevor Bauer and Jacob deGrom starting on back-to-back nights has many Mets fans salivating, trading for the 2020 Cy Young runner-up could be a move that delivered just as much excitement heading into 2021.

While Darvish has had his ups and downs in the Majors, his eight-year career has been a largely successful one. Across over 1,110 innings pitched, the Japanese-born star has compiled a 3.47 lifetime ERA while amassing almost 1,400 strikeouts. That, by the way, is good for a whopping 11.1 K/9 for his career. To compliment the strikeouts, Darvish also sports a career WHIP of 1.16, which is good for 14th on the active leaderboard (min. 1,000 IP).

If there was to be some concern about Darvish, it would be around his durability and age. The right-hander will turn 35 next August and over his eight-year career, has averaged 140 innings pitched. Darvish missed the entire 2015 season due to Tommy John surgery and missed significant time in 2018 with only 40 innings pitched. Outside of ’18, Darvish has only had two seasons in which he  finished with an fWAR below three.

The Mets, who early on in November were linked to Bauer, could certainly benefit from putting a number 2 or 1A pitcher behind deGrom in the rotation. While Darvish isn’t without blemish in his career, he certainly would bring a dynamic to the rotation that hasn’t been seen in a while. Eclipsing the 200 strikeout mark four times, Darvish carries a devastating pitch arsenal and his ability to miss bats would make the Mets a nightmare in a playoff series if paired with Jacob.

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Darvish is set to make $22M in 2021 and is under contract until 2024, which would be his age 37 season. While there would certainly be a cost in talent to acquire Darvish, the Cubs are looking to dump salary and taking on Darvish’s contract could significantly cheapen the cost of players required to bring Yu to Queens.

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