MLB insider’s NY Mets trade idea for Paul Skenes drains the farm, still isn't enough

There might not be a more massive star in baseball in the coming years than Paul Skenes. So what if his personality resembles white bread? Dating Livvy Dunne only adds to the mystique headlined by his old-school mustache and pitching ability. He’d be someone we’d all love to see in a New York Mets uniform. Although speculative trade buzz was shot down quickly by the Pittsburgh Pirates about potentially dealing the recently turned 23-year-old, it hasn’t stopped MLB insiders like Jim Bowden from putting together his own trade packages.

For the Mets, they come to the table with essentially four of their top five prospects—subject to change of course. His trade sends Jett Williams, Carson Benge, Brandon Sproat, and Ryan Clifford to the Pirates for Skenes.

Too much? Too little? For a player at Skenes’ age, caliber, potential, and selling power in the box office, it’s a deal David Stearns couldn’t make fast enough if this is all it would take.

The Mets give up a lot in this trade proposal for Paul Skenes but it’s a deal you make 10 times out of 10

Jett Williams and Carson Benge are the two we should hate to see go most simply because of how well they’re performing this year as well as how dynamic each seems to be in a variety of ways.

The sting of losing Brandon Sproat isn’t what it once was. His Triple-A struggles have made him a secondary thought in the farm system behind players like Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, and others on the rise. Is he trapped in a cul-de-sac with a turnaround or a dead end street? Ryan Clifford has shown flashes of excellence. Power is the name of his game. Unfortunately, it comes with a low batting average, far too many strikeouts, and as more of a first baseman than a versatile corner outfielder at times as well.

The Pirates could certainly use some top-rated bats on their major league roster at some point. Able to develop pitchers, they’ve stalled on having those really good hitters in the lineup with few exceptions. It’s not the sole reason why a .500 record seems to be their benchmark of a successful season. Blame the owner for not spending as to why this once proud franchise remains held back.

Bowden’s proposal isn’t unrealistic per se. It’s just too skim milk when the Pirates would need to wait out for whole. John Harper put it well. It's a trade should twist an ankle racing to the phone to complete.

Swap Sproat for a pitcher actually having a good year (like McLean) and maybe flip Clifford for someone as good or better at a more premium position than first base. Another pitcher, perhaps? Just because the Pirates are able to create them doesn’t mean they wouldn’t want someone else’s monsters.

When it comes to commenting on trade proposals, if it’s too easy to agree to, it needs some work.