Mets Trade Rumors: Which third baseman makes the most sense?

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 11: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies looks at his bat during the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on August 11, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 11: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies looks at his bat during the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on August 11, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
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Is Nolan Arenado the third baseman from offseason New York Mets trade rumors that makes the most sense? (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Is Nolan Arenado the third baseman from offseason New York Mets trade rumors that makes the most sense? (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Three third basemen have appeared in offseason New York Mets trade rumors. Which makes the most sense?

Even after their blockbuster deal with the Cleveland Indians, New York Mets trade rumors don’t appear to be completed. There are still plenty of rumblings. While some have settled down, there are still talks about the team pursuing third base help.

Right now, the team looks ready to enter the season with J.D. Davis at the hot corner. I wouldn’t be so sure. Davis isn’t a very good defender. If you listened to Sandy Alderson’s recent appearance on Carton & Roberts on WFAN last week, you will have also noticed how long he paused when asked about Davis’ future with the club.

Given these factors and more, any Mets trade rumors involved a third base upgrade should be taken with a little more than a grain of salt. I do think they’re going to at least seriously explore the possibilities. First, let’s contemplate which third baseman makes the most sense in New York.

Nolan Arenado

It must be hard to root for the Colorado Rockies these days. They seem to be in perpetual selling mode. Star third baseman Nolan Arenado has been talked about in plenty of rumors. This offseason, he joined the Mets trade rumors bundle.

Arenado is probably the best and most consistent of the three on this list. Scratch that. He is the best.

A three-time home run champion, eight-time Gold Glove winner in every season of his big league career, and a guy you can usually count on to finish in the top 10 of the MVP vote, Arenado is one of the game’s best.

Considering this, why wouldn’t the Mets want to pursue?

Arenado is signed to a huge deal through the 2026 season which would take him up to his age 35 season. It’s not so ridiculous but the money is. He’ll make $35 million from 2021-2024 with a slight decrease in the final two remaining years.

Additionally, there are bonuses. Oh, and most important of all, Arenado has an opt-out after the 2021 campaign. Nobody can ignore this.

If the Mets trade for Arenado, they need to lock him up long-term. It’s the case with many of the trade targets we have seen with this team during the first winter of Steve Cohen.

Desperate to escape this big deal, Colorado might be willing to part with this star third baseman for less than he’s actually worth. Still, it won’t come cheaply. Expect the Mets to pay with at least one of their better prospects and a major league or near-ready MLB player.

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 11: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs prepares to bat in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on September 11, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 11: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs prepares to bat in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on September 11, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Kris Bryant

Another name appearing in recent Mets trade rumors is Kris Bryant. Unlike Arenado, he has actually won an MVP and a World Series.

Also unlike Arenado, Bryant has been a little inconsistent in recent seasons. Partly due to injury, Bryant is a little more of a mystery in terms of what he will produce in the future.

We already know the Chicago Cubs would love to shed some salary. They traded away Yu Darvish this winter at what appeared to be a bargain price. Kyle Schwarber was non-tendered and the core of this ball club has been ripped apart.

Bryant, a player famously held back in his rookie year so the Cubs could gain this extra year of control, is one of the final pieces from their 2016 run still around. He has superstar potential in any given year. On the Mets, he could help round out the infield with some amazing pop and run production.

Certainly a few steps below Arenado and his legendary fielding abilities, Bryant should cost the Mets a minimal amount to acquire—at least from what we might typically think it would for someone with his resume.

Chicago is desperate. While I don’t think they’ll see Bryant at an unreasonably low price, I do see them coming out as the immediate loser in any deal they do make.

The trouble with acquiring Bryant is that he’s a free agent after this coming season. With so many other players they need to consider re-signing or extending, could the Mets even get the most out of him?

SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 22: Kyle Seager #15 of the Seattle Mariners adjusts his cap on the field before a game against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park on August, 22, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won 10-1. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 22: Kyle Seager #15 of the Seattle Mariners adjusts his cap on the field before a game against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park on August, 22, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won 10-1. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

Kyle Seager

Finally, there’s Kyle Seager of the Seattle Mariners. Definitely my least favorite choice of the three, he has appeared in some recent Mets trade rumors. So, it’s worth adding him here.

Seager once looked like a rising star in baseball. However, he has never really taken that next step needed. He has consistently hit 20-30 home runs from 2012-2019 and given Seattle a batting average ranging anywhere from .221 up to .278. Lifetime, he’s a .256 hitter which is about what I would expect from him in any given season.

However, the last four years haven’t been so kind. Seager’s high in those seasons has been an average of .249. His power is still present but his ability to reach base and hit the ball seems to have faded.

A one-time Gold Glove winner with better fielding abilities than Bryant, Seager is the oldest of the bunch and probably the easiest to acquire. Seager is signed through 2021 with a team option for 2022. At $18.5 million and then $15 million in his final year, he’s not going to do much damage to the payroll.

However, he’s not really a great fit for the already left-handed heavy Mets lineup. If the club is moving from Davis to Seager, they aren’t really upgrading all that much. They are essentially trading in a younger player for an older one with similar abilities—maybe just a little better glove.

Which third baseman makes the most sense for the Mets?

Among these three appearing in offseason Mets trade rumors, there’s a clear winner. Arenado makes the most sense in New York. His defense alone makes my mouth water.

All three of these third basemen have the potential to leave at the same time so I don’t really worry much about Arenado’s opt-out. In the current financial climate Major League Baseball is in, it’s possible Arenado doesn’t opt-out even if he puts together a terrific year.

Although I think Arenado could cost the Mets the most in any potential trade, he’d be worth it far more than these other two options.

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Which third baseman mentioned in recent Mets trade rumors do you think is the best fit?

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