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

3) David Peterson

There haven’t really been all that many Mets rumors about the possibility of trading David Peterson. He makes the least amount of money of any of the starting pitchers. Entering his final year of arbitration before free agency, Peterson would actually be a decent trade candidate if clearing space is what the Mets intend to do.

In fact, if they’re trading for a starting pitcher on a contending team, his inclusion would have some appeal. Add him in a package for Tarik Skubal (along with some controllable and more exciting players) and hang up the phone before the Detroit Tigers can back out.

Peterson’s late season collapse on the mound can’t be overlooked and we need to question exactly what his role will be next year. He pitched his way into the All-Star Game but erased all of the good faith garnered.

Burnout helps explain it as Peterson threw significantly more big league innings than he ever has before. His first 109 innings (a few shy of his previous career high) had him resting at a comfortable 3.09 ERA. His final 59.2 jumped to 6.34.

The pitching coach change may help influence some of what the Mets decide to do with Peterson. He came up in Jeremy Hefner’s first year. While a GM or POBO shouldn’t directly make moves based on what coaches say, their input is crucial. 

The Mets need to improve their rotation next. Already crowded, Peterson is one of the guys whose salary won’t be a deterrent.