3 things you’ll want to know about newly acquired NY Mets prospect Cole Mathis

You were (hopefully) sleeping when the New York Mets traded David Peterson to the Chicago Cubs earlier this week. Occurring after three straight losses to the Cubs and an ugly night full of errors and terrors, it didn’t signal the beginning of a sell-off but more so an opportunity to take advantage of a team in need.

The Cubs are certainly contenders for a playoff spot. They were willing to give up a decent prospect for Peterson, Cole Mathis.

We already graded the trade, satisfied with the mere idea of getting a living, breathing human being for a guy who was teetering on becoming DFA’d. What in particular about Mathis should we know?

Three things you might want to know about Cole Mathis

1) He was a two-way player in college

What is it with the Mets and two-way players? We know the best player on every little league team pitches, hits, and is the coach’s son. In college, two-way players aren’t as rare as they are in the big leagues. While no one has come close to replicating what Shohei Ohtani does, the idea of making yourself available as a pitcher or position player will open up more opportunities.

Nolan McLean tried his hand (and bat) at it. Carson Benge has been limited to only being a position player and for the best. Mathis had a 3.60 ERA in college which doesn’t tell us much other than there’s a fallback plan in case his bat, which has done well in A-Ball prior to his injury this year, doesn’t grow.

2) He ranks 14th in the Mets system according to MLB Pipeline

Mathis went from the 13th ranked Cubs prospect to the 14th in the Mets system. That’s not too shabby for someone the Mets didn’t have much use for any longer. Although first base appears to be the position he is destined to play most, he has appeared at some games over at third base. Let’s just consider him a first baseman, though.

A lack of quickness is one reason why the Cubs have primarily used him at first base rather than test him at the hot corner. The Mets could use depth at both spots as neither has an obvious solution long-term.

3) Injuries are the biggest concern

Why would the Cubs give up on him? Aside from needing someone who can maybe turn his career around quickly available on the trade block, injuries have been a problem for Mathis. Already a graduate of Tommy John surgery, his playing time this year has been sporadic.

The Mets have been unafraid to draft players with an injury history and acquiring one for Peterson isn’t crazy. Betting on someone getting healthy rather than improving their skills isn’t such a dangerous game to play.

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