According to Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News, the Minnesota Twins are out of their minds! Well, she didn’t quite put it like that. In regards to what it would cost for the New York Mets to acquire Jose Berrios before the trade deadline, they sure seem to have their heads up in the clouds, smoke, or some other gaseous substance.
Before Berrios headed off to the Toronto Blue Jays for two notable prospects, including former Mets minor league pitcher Simeon Woods-Richardson, the demand from Minnesota wasn’t nearly as friendly as the good citizens from Fargo. Nope. They were looking to rob the Mets like—the good citizens from the TV show Fargo.
The asking price reported by Thosar included the Mets sending Dominic Smith and Ronny Mauricio to Minnesota.
The rent is too high and so was this asking price from the Mets
The Blue Jays did eventually bite on the high asking price for Berrios. It’s easy to see why the Mets didn’t.
Smith, even in a down year from what he was able to accomplish in 2020, remains a key member of this organization. His improvements in left field defensively have made him a viable candidate to remain at the position although I’m sure we are all content with the DH in the National League with a few exceptions.
Moving Smith in this trade would have created a hole in left field and from the left side of the plate. With Michael Conforto’s continued struggles, the team isn’t getting much power at all from the left side. The team could have survived without him and possibly even move J.D. Davis or Jeff McNeil to left field. Javier Baez’s presence on the roster already makes for a few future changes to the defensive alignment once Francisco Lindor returns from the IL.
In the case of trading Mauricio, it really comes down to whether or not he was expendable. I’m still not sure how to feel about him. Shortstop is blocked and the two best options for him might be second base or center field.
The Mets made a point of not flushing the farm at the trade deadline. Even though they did give up Pete Crow-Armstrong to acquire Baez and Trevor Williams, they managed to stay relatively intact.
As if this package the Twins wanted for Berrios wasn’t high enough, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported it was even more! According to his source, Minnesota wanted Jeff McNeil, Francisco Alvarez, and a top seven prospect.
Is there a shorter word in the English language for “no” than “no?”
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The Mets weren’t ready to get swindled in any trade for Berrios. A fine pitcher with some control beyond this year, he’s no absolute ace. Those are the kinds of players you take bigger risks on. Losing your current left fielder and a top 100 prospect doesn’t fit what Berrios can bring.