The Mets should be looking to improve their bullpen, as well as add an everyday catcher, at least one impact hitter and depth beneath the entire roster.
Here are the latest headlines and rumblings from each of the above markets, followed by my take on how things currently stand and may shake out...
The search for an everyday catcher
Teams in need of a catcher have been asking the Pirates about Francisco Cervelli and Blue Jays about Russell Martin, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.
Passan reports the the Jays are willing to pay a significant portion of the one year and $20 million left on Martin's contract. Cervelli, 32, is the better hitter, outstanding at pitch framing and has a really nice arm, plus he's due $11.5 million in 2019, after which he will be a free agent.
In addition to the Mets, the Dodgers, Astros, Rockies, Angels, Twins, Red Sox, Brewers and Phillies have all reportedly been in the market to add a starting catcher.
MY INFO & INSIGHT >> The Mets should be investigating Cervelli, who has played in New York and has a terrific reputation working with emerging pitching staffs. His pitch-framing and ability to keep guys from taking extra bases would be an asset.
As for everyone else, It's going to take way too much to acquire J.T. Realmuto from the Marlins, especially if you're a team in the NL East. So, it's probably time for fans of the Mets, Nationals and Braves to quit on this fantasy because it's just not going to happen.
In the debate between free agents Yasmani Grandal and Wilson Ramos, Grandal is the better catcher behind the plate, especially with regards to pitch framing, while Ramos is probably the better hitter. I prefer Ramos. I'm fine either way, but would probably go with whomever wants less money and less years.
Replacing Noah Syndergaard, in event he's traded
Free-agent ace Patrick Corbin met Tuesday with the Phillies and reportedly also met this week with the Nationals, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney. And he'll meet with the Yankees on Thursday.
Multiple reports indicate Corbin is seeking up to a six-year, $100-120 million deal.
The Astros have joined the Phillies, Yankees, Brewers, Braves, Angels, White Sox, Blue Jays, Giants and Padres as teams interested in free-agent SP Nathan Eovaldi.
MY INFO & INSIGHT >> Eovaldi and his family live in Houston, which could give the Astros a leg up in negotiations. The Mets could pursue Eovaldi or another high-end starter if they deal Syndergaard, and he would be a great fit. I realize the first instinct is to want to sign an elite guy, such as Patrick Corbin. But, while teams are wooing him and Dallas Keuchel and exploring the trade market for other replacements, I think the Mets could realistically snap up Eovaldi with a three-year, $40-50 million deal, which would also give overlap coverage to potentially losing Zack Wheeler as a free agent in 12 months.
Random notes based on talks with sources...
MY INFO & INSIGHT >> The Mariners no longer think they need to deal Mitch Haniger or Edwin Diaz to move Robinson Cano, mostly because experts all think M's would best to trade Diaz this summer when teams tend to overpay for elite relievers ... The D-backs have been contacted by close to 10 teams about Paul Goldschmidt, so his asking price will be steep ... Yankees pitcher Sonny Gray has become a popular fall-back option for teams in the market for pitching ... Right now, the Giants' asking price is so high for Madison Baumgarner that insiders expect him to stay put and more likely get dealt at the trade deadline ... The Twins are seen as a dark horse for Patrick Corbin ... Similarly, the White Sox, Reds and A's are viewed as teams most likely to shock baseball with a big move.
Matthew Cerrone (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Contact) is lead writer of MetsBlog.com, which he created in 2003. He also hosts the MetsBlog Podcast, which you can subscribe to here. His new book, The New York Mets Fans' Bucket List, details 44 things every Mets fan should experience during their lifetime. To check it out, click here!
