NY Mets: Grading the trade deadline moves they did and didn’t make

One of the very first, and slightly unexpected, moves the Mets made was to acquire LHP Rich Hill. Grade: B-

This trade makes a lot of sense for the Mets. For one, Tampa Bay just acquired DH Nelson Cruz from the Minnesota Twins, which adds a little more than $5 million to the Rays’ payroll.

In an analysis of the Cruz trade, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal mentioned that Tampa Bay’s pitching depth could help them offload some of that salary, specifically highlighting both the Mets’ and Dodgers’ needs.

The Rays being the Rays, it would not be a shock if they took further advantage of their pitching depth to trim a bit of salary. And in a market starved for starting pitching, it probably would behoove them to explore what teams such as the Dodgers and Mets might offer for left-hander Rich Hill, 41.

Rich Hill fills an immediate need for some starting pitching. With Jacob deGrom spending some time on the Injured List, Carlos Carrasco needing an additional rehab start in the minors (and being unavailable all season), Noah Syndergaard still rebounding from Tommy John’s surgery, and even David Peterson dealing with a finger issue, pitching is a definite and immediate need for the Mets.

It seems that the Mets could be in the exact opposite situation at the end of the season. Carrasco and deGrom are likely to be back for sure with recent news that David Peterson will need to undergo foot surgery.

The addition of rookie RHP Tylor Megill has been an absolute godsend for a team in dire need of pitching, let alone a 2.10 ERA in his first six MLB starts. Marcus Stroman has offered several ace-like outings, along with Taijuan Walker who appeared in this year’s All-Star Game, despite him struggling recently.

What the Mets gave up to get Hill isn’t bad either. Tommy Hunter has been solid, but he’s 35 and they have solid relief where he would fill in. Matt Dyer was the fourth round pick in the 2020 MLB Amateur Draft, but was hitting .180 with St. Lucie in Low-A this year.

It may have taken a while, but the Mets finally acquired shortstop/infielder Javier Báez and righty Trevor Williams from the Chicago Cubs for #5 prospect, Pete Crow-Armstrong. Grade: A

There’s no way that this team would’ve let either Kris Bryant or Javier Báez go to another team. The Braves and Phillies have both made moves and they see the Mets as “vulnerable.” With the Phillies trying to improve their bullpen, they may be the biggest threat the Mets have going forward if the bullpen does hold up.

It all started with an interview Javier Báez had with Puerto Rican radio station, Mega 106.9, where he said the “only option” he would take playing second base would be with the New York Mets playing with Francisco Lindor.

Obviously this is a huge bargaining chip the Mets have; a Cubs player just openly said which team he wants to be at in free agency. This also gives the Mets confidence in the possibility that Báez will re-sign with the team once his contract is up at the end of the year.

The other piece coming to the Mets is RHP Trevor Williams, who doesn’t actually become a free agent until 2023. He’s still eligible for arbitration at the end of the year. Williams has started 12 games in his first season with the Chicago Cubs and has worked to a 5.06 ERA, a high WHIP of 1.53, but still nearly over 9 strikeouts per nine innings. He’s still a pitcher that could be very valuable to the Mets in October, even if it means out of the bullpen.

Meanwhile, the Mets are giving up centerfielder and their #5 prospect, Pete Crow-Armstrong. He was their 1st round draft pick in 2020, is nineteen years old, and has an MLB ETA of 2023/2024. He’s out for the rest of the year while he undergoes shoulder surgery.

This seems like a steal for the Mets. The Cubs don’t really have elite starting pitching, but someone like Kimbrel would’ve made this a blockbuster trade. Either way, the Mets fill a need in getting Williams and make an obvious lineup improvement with Javier Báez.

Báez will likely take over shortstop until Francisco Lindor is back in mid-to-late August and move to second to help out Jeff McNeil while he’s working out his leg. He could also play third which gives the Mets obvious help on defense. Another thought is that McNeil could play outfield and Báez could run second base.

It’s hard to believe that the Mets are done, but they are in fact done. Grade: C+

The Mets did make a very big move in getting Javier Báez and if the Mets are healthy this year, they can be very dangerous. Still, it’s pretty disappointing that they didn’t add a good arm.

After finding out what the Twins were asking for in return for José Berríos was “bananas,” it was clear they weren’t getting him. Allegedly it was two prospects “top six or so” and a player from the active roster. Since the return would only be one-and-a-half years of him, it’s hard to see that overpaying was a good idea. The Blue Jays clearly thought otherwise and gave up their second and fourth-ranked prospect for him.

Near the end, there were talks of the Mets receiving either outfielder Byron Buxton from Minnesota, and talks about shortstop Trevor Story, pitcher Jon Gray, and several other pitchers. Yet, the Mets received none of them.

It would’ve been awesome to see the Mets go all-in on someone else who could impact their struggling lineup. Either way, the addition of Javier Báez is awesome.

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For the record, here’s a video of Francisco Lindor and Javier Báez getting Edwin Díaz out of a jam with a double play.