These three players might be able to compete with the Mets if the Rockies opt to reduce payroll.
David Stearns has performed a few basic card tricks thus far. There hasn’t been any significant complexity to his time as President of Baseball Operations. We haven’t been surprised by any of his actions for the New York Mets. He’s remained grounded and sensible. What if he truly pulled off a huge transaction, shocking all of us? The Colorado Rockies are a squad that fits very nicely with what the Mets need and what we can give back.
Nothing about this is novel. The Rockies, who have been out of the playoff picture for a number of seasons, haven’t held back when it comes to spending. Six players on their squad will earn $10 million or more in the upcoming season. Two are recuperating from surgery on the Tommy John. The Mets seem like the team to assist if you’re looking to cut some salary.
Though it’s exciting to have a former MVP who can play left field and third base, Kris Bryant isn’t joining the Mets. Charlie Blackmon, whose name constantly seems to surface throughout the offseason or before the trade deadline, is another not to be found in Queens. Blackmon will join the Rockies in retirement. Bryant might have to because his time there hasn’t exactly made him a desirable trade candidate. You’re not alone if you forget he was even with them.
While there aren’t any reports of the Rockies or the Mets pursuing these three, we might see an investigation, if not now than most likely in the future.
1) Kyle Freeland
For this to occur, the 30-year-old Denver-born lefty would likely need to request a trade. Accepting a trade to join the Mets could be challenging for a hometown player on a major league team that made its debut the year he was born. With $47 million guaranteed over the next three seasons, Kyle Freeland remains a match for the Mets in the future. Although Steve Cohen is the team’s owner, money is not everything.
The Rockies haven’t demonstrated much of a competitive spirit. The wisest course of action for the Rockies to free up salary and obtain a solid return may be to unload Freeland now, given the presence of the Los Angeles Dodgers building their super squad, the reloading Arizona Diamondbacks, the National League Pennant winners, and two more teams in the NL West we shouldn’t ignore on.
The numbers are frequently skewed, just like with every Rockies pitcher. The 4.39 ERA he has faced in seven seasons with Colorado is likely higher than it would be if he were a resident of Citi Field, according on his career 112 ERA+.
Freeland just finished one of his worst seasons, going 6–14 in 29 starts with a 5.03 ERA. With a career strikeout rate of just 6.7 per nine, he is a contact pitcher. It’s amazing how he’s been able to play half of his games at Coors Field and still be as brilliant as he is. At 45.4%, his groundball percentage is just marginally higher than the league average of 42.9%.
The numbers are ours to cut and dice whichever we like. If the Mets need a starter, Freeland is a fascinating trade target to discuss with the Rockies at this year’s trade deadline. Other teams should keep a watch on him as long as he’s on their squad and they’re not winning.
When the Mets would be best suited to have him: When the Rockies lose 100 more games in 2024, he will be frustrated.
2) Ryan McMahon
The Mets may need to let go of Brett Baty in order to make room for the third baseman from the Rockies, since he is unlikely to share playing time in Flushing. McMahon can do some of the same tasks as Nolan Arenado, but with significantly less output than during his heyday with the Rockies.
With a few notes, McMahon is comparable to Matt Chapman. Although his power ceiling isn’t the same as Chapman’s, he’ll likely hit for a better average. He’s a great defensive player who hasn’t yet won a Gold Glove, in part because Arenado plays for the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League. He’s a defensive player who is criminally underappreciated and lost on a Rockies team that hasn’t accomplished anything.
Over the following four seasons, McMahon is due $56 million. Breaking free from his deal may be a worthy endeavor on a Rockies ball club that appears to be running around its own tail all the time.
McMahon won’t be a huge salary hit in the upcoming season, estimated to be around $12 million. His offense hasn’t quite reached the level that anyone would have anticipated, though. Throughout his career, he has averaged 22 home runs and 75 RBI in 162 games. Not being able to fully utilize Coors Field, he’s just here for the lifetime.There was a 268/.342/.493 hitter. What’s outside those cozy walls is a batter who hits.216/.303/.358.
McMahon manages to walk less people and strike out exactly the same amount when playing away from home. There are other places where he has excelled despite the thin Denver air. McMahon has 92 more RBI with almost 100 plate appearances more at home. Teams would mostly want the glove player if he were to become available at any point. The Mets’ current bat hasn’t been all that much better than the bat away from Coors Field.
When the Mets would be best suited to have him: When David Stearns decides he wants a third baseman who can play the position very well in the next offseason.
3) Daniel Bard
Daniel Bard is the one the Mets would have the best chance of landing out of these three. Following a fantastic 2022 season, he was no longer the team’s closer in the previous campaign. The 39-year-old, who owed $9.5 million, wouldn’t come with much expense. Remember, he only pitched 49.1 innings last season and walked 49 hitters.
Of course, the Mets would like something more akin to past outings. A minuscule 1.79 ERA in 2022 is still very much attainable.
Bard maintained a relatively average 4.56 ERA despite the horrendous walk total, which was equivalent to more than his 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings. Despite being above league average with an ERA+ of 111, Bard’s 2.70 WHIP and 6.13 FIP are two alarming indicators that he has reached the end of his career.
If the Rockies are taking a portion of his contract, a deal for him could not go through. With something to reclaim, he would blend in well with many of the other Mets bullpen acquisitions made this winter. The issue with him is that his pay, which he signed this offseason for just under $10 million, is far higher than that of any other reliever David Stearns acquired. The Rockies would have to first demonstrate that they are willing to pay a player to leave. They’re probably more likely to hang onto him and see if they can raise the price in the middle of the season, since they’ve been one of baseball’s more enigmatic franchises in recent years.
When the Mets find themselves in a wild card place at the 2024 trade deadline, that’s when he’d be the most suitable.