Mets-Guardians trade proposed by former GM arrives a month late to make sense

Everyone is trying to figure out a way to save the New York Mets bullpen. Although they came away with three victories against the Washington Nationals and only a few scratches in relief, the priority as the trade deadline nears is to add relief help.

Former Mets Jim Duquette who appears on SNY regularly pitched a trade between the Mets and AL Central leading Cleveland Guardians. A task personally undertaken yet always met with a brick wall, Duquette was satisfied with his deal.

Sean Manaea goes to the Guardians in exchange for relievers Scott Barlow, lefty reliever Sam Hentges, and a prospect. Who the prospect is moves the needle in this deal. Assuming it’s someone very average or below, we can come to a conclusion.

This Mets-Guardians trade no longer makes sense

Andy Martino brings up the best point of all. Manaea would be in the Mets’ postseason bullpen and to have two certified stud relievers from this season in there over him would be a great benefit. There are two big counterpoints. One is that you first need to get to the postseason for this to matter. The second what the Mets would do if they were to lose another starting pitcher to injury.

Duquette admits he’d only do this trade if Kodai Senga were healthy. On July 12, he has yet to pitch an inning for the Mets. We cannot count on Senga being healthy.

The suggestion of the Mets trading a starting pitcher to the Guardians for two relievers and a prospect seems to fit their needs. What about the Guardians?

As fantastic as the bullpen has been for Cleveland, they shouldn’t feel emboldened to subtract from their bullpen. Their often unique recipe for winning has worked this season. Surely, there’s a different starting pitcher out there they can acquire from a non-contending team that would have them selling only one of these bullpen arms plus a prospect for a starting pitcher.

Manaea’s player option for next year is a kink in any deal involving him. The $13.5 million seems like it could be less than what he gets as a free agent, but that will depend on how he finishes the year. It’s the kind of salary the Guardians tend to avoid. For this deal to work, the Mets would probably need to agree to pay a portion of the deal if he chooses to remain in Cleveland.

As worrisome as the bullpen remains, I wouldn’t mess with the rotation. Keep guys intact. Let Jose Butto continue to pitch well in relief. Enough teams are fading in the playoff race where you won’t have to trade a starter for bullpen arms. It’s a fun trade idea to propose and yet something about it doesn’t sit right.