NY Mets rumors: Failed Garrett Crochet trade looks ridiculously bad right now

The biggest wave of New York Mets rumors will come about in November and December with October being more about what could have happened. Because the Mets trade deadline moves were so bad, leaks of what they had on the table are sure to spring from some place.

Jon Heyman, after finishing his fortnight-long questions at Monday’s press conference, helped give a little insight into Mets rumors from a little more distant place in the past. On December 11, 2024, Garrett Crochet went from the Chicago White Sox to the Boston Red Sox. He proceeded to have a dominant full season on the mound, twirling a gem in Game 1 of the ALWC series versus the New York Yankees.. He’ll be a Cy Young finalist and maybe the catalyst that bulldozes the Red Sox further than many thought they could reach.

Should the Mets have traded for him? Well, yeah. The Colorado Rockies should’ve, too. Heyman didn’t simply report the Mets’ interest which was already known at the time. According to him, the headliners of the deal would have been Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams with two lesser other prospects included. It wasn't just an offer by the Mets either. The White Sox would have accepted.

These Mets rumors are easy to approve today, but what about a year ago?

At the end of the 2024 season, trading Sproat or Williams felt different than it does today. Sproat was the organization’s number one pitching prospect with guys like Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong ready to pounce. They did and have since overtaken him. Williams had a lost 2024 due to injury. Still, the multiple tools in his utility belt made him a superhero in waiting.

Today, each feels more expendable. Sproat finished strong in Triple-A and had a couple of good starts in the majors. The problem is how crowded things are getting in the rotation. Plus, if he was to get packaged in a deal for Crochet, there’d be one less spot anyway. Williams got back on track and ended his year in Triple-A where he’ll need at least another half-season. A player like A.J. Ewing, while not as powerful with the bat, is someone who could conceivably take on the role of super utility man with blazing fast speed. Both won’t have a role with the Mets in the big leagues.

Furthermore, the quick emergence of Carson Benge as the center fielder of the future for the Mets leaves Williams a little less useful. Second base is it for him. This end result doesn’t put him on the trade block, it just makes it easier to deal him away if it means getting an ace like Crochet.

It’s all hindsight with a needle stuck in the upper outer quadrant of the glute. We can all say now we would make this trade. How about a year ago? I’m not so sure I would have rushed to pay the toll fare based on how elevated Sproat and Williams were at the time.

Stearns has yet to pull off a massive trade with the Mets, instead focusing on free agency in the offseason. The crowded room of young players is going to force him to do something this winter. There is no doubt that if the Mets had Crochet instead of any of their other starting pitchers this season, they'd be playing in October. You can't say that about too many moves or individuals.