3 NY Mets trade candidates curiously left out of Jeff Passan’s mega-story for ESPN

Timing is everything in comedy, cooking, and most likely romance. How would I know? My idea of a romantic date is an all-you-can-eat buffet. ESPN’s Jeff Passan knows how to woo the fans. His league-wide story dropped early on Tuesday ahead of what was a frenzied evening of roster moves. The New York Mets were regularly discussed with several known players on the trade block.

Passan went in-depth on Kodai Senga being heavily available as well as name drops of usual suspects Luisangel Acuna, Brett Baty, and Mark Vientos. Longer-tenured Mets Jeff McNeil and Brandon Nimmo were said to be available, too.

That’s a lot of players to shop who could be on the move. Interestingly, a few other obvious names weren’t mentioned. What could it mean?

1) Ronny Mauricio

No mention of Ronny Mauricio is a good thing for his believers. Although it doesn’t mean the Mets have chained him to the radiator, his exclusion could mean there is less of a chance he gets moved. Passan did refer to Nimmo as “center fielder” so perhaps there is some room for error in any of the news.

Mauricio does have one advantage over each of the others mentioned. One remaining minor league option means the Mets don’t have quite the same urgency. They could, in theory, trade away all of the players Passan did mention and stash Mauricio in the minor leagues.

David Stearns admitted at the GM Meetings he didn’t send Mauricio down at the end of last season to keep the option in play.

It’s a smart strategy for your own benefit and on the trade market.

Mauricio’s defense at third base rated well and his ability to hit right-handed pitchers shouldn’t be overlooked. At this point, he feels like a strong candidate to get regular playing time as both a third base defensive replacement and option to go against righties. There’s always a chance we see him traded away or sent to Syracuse to begin hitting exclusively from his strong side. Whatever Stearns has planned, we noticed the omission.