NY Mets: 3 third base trade candidates to consider, 2 to avoid this winter

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The New York Mets could look to find their next starting third baseman on the trade market this winter. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Third base has been a position of need for the New York Mets for a couple of years. Even with the growth of J.D. Davis, some good times with Jeff McNeil at the position, and even a couple of clutch hits from Todd Frazier, the position has been pretty much a revolving door.

After a decade with David Wright at the position, fans became accustomed to seeing the hot corner occupied by such a talented player. Even if it hasn’t always been the greatest position on many Mets rosters, everyone expects much more. This includes the front office that appears to be on the hunt for an upgrade this winter.

The Mets have a couple of things they can do at the position. One includes signing a player to a one-year deal for a temporary basis until Mark Vientos or Brett Baty is ready. If this doesn’t fit into what they want to do, the Mets could always go out and make a trade for a third baseman. And as luck would have it, there are a couple of players out there that could be available this winter

Manny Machado is a dream Mets trade candidate that won’t happen

Will the San Diego Padres choose Fernando Tatis Jr. over Manny Machado? Their dugout spat in September grabbed the baseball world’s attention. Instantly, they became the headliners on a meme.

Machado has grown up a lot in recent years. Back when he was a free agent, there were Mets fans who didn’t want him because of his attitude. Well, now he appears to be on the other side of the argument. And if the Padres are looking to separate from him, the Mets could be one of the teams that come calling.

Realistically, I would put this option alongside winning the lottery without buying a ticket. There’s no real sense of urgency for the Padres to trade Machado anywhere. Plus, unless the Mets pull a 180-degree turn, I can’t see them giving up the prospects to make it happen. Even if a large portion of the deal is to simply shed some salary, San Diego isn’t going to do so without getting something really nice back in return.

Don’t bet your family farm on him coming to Citi Field in anything other than a visiting team’s uniform in 2022.

Sep 15, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) throws to first base for the out during the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Jose Ramirez is a little bit more realistic of a Mets trade candidate

Wouldn’t it be something if the Mets could pull off another blockbuster trade with Cleveland this winter? This time, they can start their trade history with the Guardians by acquiring third baseman Jose Ramirez.

Ramirez has been one of baseball’s most underrated hitters for the last several years. He has been a top-three MVP finisher three times with a runner-up placement in 2020. A freshly turned 29 back in September, he’s a guy you can guarantee will hit for power, drive in runs, and do it all with a pretty good batting average.

Ramirez’s contract isn’t exactly going to hold Cleveland back from adding to the roster. He is owed $11 million this coming season with a $13 million payday the following year. These two years of control costing less than what he would get in arbitration makes him an enticing trade candidate for the Mets. It should also have other teams looking for third base upgrades calling Cleveland at all hours of the night or at least sending one of those awkward “you up?” texts.

Unlike Machado, there’s more of a reason for the future Guardians to deal Ramirez. The budget-conscious franchise could get even more for him now rather than waiting another season.

Still, I would put these odds only a little higher than seeing Machado join the Mets. Maybe we’ll get lucky and Francisco Lindor will push the front office to make the reunion happen.

Sep 4, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman (26) celebrates after hitting a home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports /

Matt Chapman would give the Mets power and Gold Glove defense at third base

Last year, Mets fans got themselves eager for a trade with the Oakland Athletics to bring Matt Chapman to Queens. A Gold Glove winner with nice power, he is a nice mix of two things you like out of a third baseman.

This most recent year might have a few souring on the idea. Chapman struck out 202 times and saw his batting average dip to a career-low .210. Even with another 27 home runs and 72 RBI, we should be a little frightened by the 15 doubles. His .403 slugging percentage was more than 100 points lower than anything he posted in the last three seasons when he became a full-timer for Oakland.

Chapman is in a similar situation as Ramirez. If you thought Cleveland watched their payroll like hawks, let me introduce you to the Athletics. They invented paying players as little as possible and milking the most out of them. Chapman, who is arbitration-eligible for another two years, is set to start making a good chunk of change in the coming year. Is it enough to force the Athletics to trade him?

At the right price, I do think Oakland would trade Chapman. The trouble is I’m not so sure he’s worth it. The Mets could end up with the .249/.342/.506 hitter with 36 home runs and 91 RBI he was back in 2019 when he won a Gold Glove. Or they could end up with much less.

With Machado and Ramirez, it’s more of a sure thing. In Chapman’s case, you don’t want to end up getting a guy who can defend well, occasionally hit a home run, and not offer much else.

File him in the “worth a phone call” directory anyway.

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez (7) winces as he reenacts a pop fly play that ended to second inning to the Pirates dugout in the top fo the third inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Monday, Sept. 27, 2021. The Reds led 8-1 in the top of the sixth inning.Pittsburgh Pirates At Cincinnati Reds /

Eugenio Suarez is not a good fit for the Mets

Eugenio Suarez has the same flaws as Chapman to a greater extreme. Not as great of a defender, Suarez’s rollercoaster career has been in a massive drop the last two years.

Suarez began to show his prowess with the Cincinnati Reds back in 2016 when he hit 21 home runs and drove in 70. His home run totals steadily increased. He hit 26, 34, and finally 49 in 2019. With the increase in home runs, so came many more strikeouts. He fanned a league-leading 189 times back in 2019. However, with 49 home runs and a .271/.358/.572 slash line, I’d accept it.

This hasn’t been the same situation with him since 2020. In that shortened season, Suarez hit .202/.312/.470 with 15 home runs in 57 games. He followed it up with a .198/.286/.428 slash line this past year with 31 home runs in 145 games.

The power is still there. Nobody can argue that. But with a Mendoza Line batting average, it feels like a lot of frustrating could be coming the Mets’ way if he was to end up in New York.

Signed through 2025 with a buyout in the final year, Suarez is a guy you only trade for if you have the utmost belief in him. I don’t. The Mets should steer way clear.

Sep 9, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Minnesota Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) throws to first base against the Cleveland Indians in the second inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Josh Donaldson is too costly for what he can offer the Mets

Josh Donaldson, if paired with a pitcher like Jose Berrios, made a lot of sense for the Mets this past summer. It was the kind of trade the team could have made to boost the offense and starting rotation. They never did pull the trigger on the deal and Donaldson remained with the Minnesota Twins.

His year ended with a .247/.352/.475 slash line which included 26 home runs and 72 RBI in 543 plate appearances. It wasn’t bad. In the right circumstance, it could work.

This isn’t the right circumstance in Flushing. Donaldson is a $21.75 million cut into the payroll in each of the next two seasons. In 2024, there’s a $16 million team option and $8 million buyout.

The contract has Robinson Cano 2.0 written all over it. With Cano still on the Mets, the team would risk having two albatross deals on the books handed out to players whose best days were a half-decade ago or more.

I have no doubt the Twins will at least explore trading Donaldson this winter. Their club disappointed greatly this past season and clearing him from the books could help them get back on the right track. If the Mets field these calls, they should politely decline. Donaldson is aging quickly. He’s already not the 37 home run guy he was with the Atlanta Braves back in 2019.

Next. Top Mets trade candidates this winter

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Which of these third base trade candidates would you most like to see the Mets potentially target? And of the two, which would you like the Mets to drive straight into a lake to avoid?

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