A NY Mets-Yankees trade idea to deliver both teams something they believe they need

Using Avril Lavigne logic i.e. he was a boy, she was a girl, the New York Mets and New York Yankees might not need to remain strangers in the next few days. Rumors of the Mets looking for a right-handed infielder and the Yankees doing the same but probably more in the market for an outfielder should have phone lines at WFAN buzzing this week about potential swaps the two clubs could make. Or maybe not. 

The Mets aren’t seeking any franchise-altering player nor are the Yankees actually in the market for an everyday outfielder. Each club is essentially in need of a 26th man for their roster. Could this trade potentially fill each roster’s gap?

Why this trade can work for the Mets and Yankees

Alexander Canario and Oswald Peraza have a few things in common. Each is out of minor league options. Both are in their mid-20s and were at least to some extent touted as upper level prospects. Canario has no real use for the Mets and will end up put on waivers in the coming days. Only 24 and with some good power, it’s a shame he is now trapped in the same roster limbo he was that had the Chicago Cubs trading him to the Mets a few weeks ago for cash.

Meanwhile, Peraza has seen minimal big league action in parts of three seasons. Poor offensive results yielding just a .216 batting average, he’s a stereotypical light-hitting infielder who just happens to swing from the right side of the plate. Likely only a temporary option for the Mets, he’d be worth adding in exchange for Canario simply because it’s better to get something than nothing at all for their slugging outfielder who won’t make the team anyway.

The Mets would only say “no” to this trade if they view Canario as having a little more value (he probably doesn’t) or they believe they can get a better player than Peraza. From a Yankees perspective, the same rules apply. There is a reason the Cubs cut Canario and if they’re able to get a better player or at least one with minor league options they might prefer him over a guy the Mets have no choice but to place on waivers in the coming days.

It’s a trade on a similar level as Miguel Castro for Joely Rodriguez pre-2022. A righty reliever for a lefty one. In this case, it’s right-handed outfielder for a right-handed infielder. Both would be candidates to have only a temporary stay on their respective new teams, Peraza eliminated the moment other players become healthy.

Speaking from a Mets vantage point, Peraza’s lone benefit over Luisangel Acuna is he has already played in the big leagues quite a bit more and has the defensive experience at more positions. It seems like the Mets are leaning toward demoting Acuna to give him the consistent playing time in Triple-A. As disagreeable as it feels from an excitement standpoint, knowing the commitment to Peraza is minimal and is only costing the Mets someone they’re going to be releasing anyway shouldn’t have any of us up in arms.

What’s most likely to stop this trade is the age-old “what if the guy we sent away becomes a star in the other borough” concern. Think of it this way. There’s a chance the player ends up with the other New York ball club regardless. You mine as well throw your hat in the ring, too.