NY Mets rumors incorrectly label obvious trade candidate as a “longshot”

SNY’s Chelsea Janes reviewed some of the potential New York Mets trade candidates and classified them into three categories. There are the “very likely to go” the “if the price is right” and the “longshots.” There are very few surprises. The first includes guys on expiring contracts. The second are controllable and intriguing assets. The longshots are guys who could be needed for next year or don’t really have as much value on the trade market as others. There was one exception.

Tyrone Taylor, for some reason, fell into the “longshot” category. Despite an expiring contract and plenty of suggestions as to why he could make sense as a piece to deal, he incorrectly gets the longshot label. This is what Janes had to say about him:

“Right-handed hitting outfielders are notoriously hard to find, and Taylor is an excellent defender who provides credible at-bats as a fourth outfielder. He is making $3.8 million this year, so even at a prorated price, teams could likely find cheaper options. But the free-agent-to-be is known as a strong defender and could potentially fit a contender needing a veteran on the bench.”

The Mets are doing themselves a disservice if they don’t trade Tyrone Taylor

In any kind of sell-off, a right-handed outfielder batting a few points over .200 needs to go. Taylor is everything Janes says he is. He is a tremendous defender and close to what you’d want your fourth outfielder to be. The pro-rated amount of his $3.8 million is something Steve Cohen should easily be willing to pick up for nothing more than a chance at a prospect of any kind. After all, he planned to pay it in the first place.

Taylor won’t win anyone a championship all by himself. However, he’d be an amazing fit for any team looking for a right-handed half of an outfield platoon or simply some defense for two innings a night. Let’s not forget what a valuable pinch runner he has been for the Mets.

In comparison to Francisco Lindor and Sean Manaea who were the other pair of longshots, Taylor stands out. He isn’t needed on a team trying to sell. There’s more justification to hold onto Freddy Peralta who could always become a qualifying offer candidate for the purpose of trying it again and, at worse, gaining draft pick compensation.

Absent from the list altogether was Bo Bichette. That exclusion is a bit curious considering he is an opt-out candidate. His contract is complicated and the number of teams who’d actually pay any part of the money owed to him would be minimal.

Holding onto Taylor would be shocking for the Mets who wouldn’t even need him to help fill out the roster. The outfield is already covered with two rookies and Juan Soto. Trading him would be a good time to hand over the keys to Nick Morabito for a more extended look or even bring in a random waiver claim to just get them through the season.

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