The latest Mets trade ends the tenure of overused and overexposed free agent signing

“I’m not even supposed to be here today” was the phrase uttered by Quick Stop employee Dante Hicks throughout the film Clerks. The New York Mets gave Michael Tonkin a similar experience. After a promising debut, Tonkin was asked to enter the game twice in extra innings only for the Detroit Tigers to annihilate him twice in what would become back-to-back games with two days in between because of the rainouts. He leaves the Mets with two losses and 8 runs against him but only 2 earned. At least it wasn't 37.

Like Hicks in the first Clerks film, Tonkin was called in to perform his job in a situation he didn’t belong in. Hicks was supposed to have the day off. Tonkin was just supposed to not have to pitch in a high-leverage situation twice with the game on the line.

The Mets successfully dumped him and the remainder of his $1 million salary on the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday afternoon thus ending his stay in New York.

Should the Mets have stashed Michael Tonkin in the minor leagues instead?

It was a tough spot for everyone. The Mets needed fresh bullpen arms hence another reason to DFA him. Tonkin didn’t have enough MLB service time to ask for his release which would’ve meant forfeiting the remainder of his contract. He’ll get the money now that he was traded to the Twins. For the Mets, it means one failed free agent signing.

As for the return, the Mets got the good old cash considerations.

Throughout the offseason and now even into the 162 marathon, David Stearns has been active in the cash consideration department. Fellow recently DFA’d pitcher Yohan Ramirez was acquired by the Mets for a sack full of 100 dollar bills or whatever cash consideration ends up actually being.

The irony of it all is that Tonkin and Ramirez were in a battle for the final bullpen spot alongside Sean Reid-Foley whose arm conveniently began to hurt days before the final roster decisions. It took less than two weeks for the Mets to already regret the decision with each of them getting pummeled. Ramirez took his beating on Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds.

Tonkin could have, in theory, sat around in Syracuse off of the 40-man roster working his way back in favor. With the Mets already quickly turning to Cole Sulser who does have minor league options, it looks like they’ve finally seen the light and the value of bullpen flexibility.

No hard feelings for Tonkin or Ramirez. Both were put in a situation they didn’t belong in. It reflects in the loss column.