Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter |
Mets GM Sandy Alderson said last season that he wouldn't hesitate to make a trade with the crosstown Yankees. And with Jacob deGrom's name swirling around, the idea of a blockbuster between the two teams has been kicked around.
But it doesn't seem the Yankees have the stomach for what it would take to land deGrom.
One Yankees person told FanRag's Jon Heyman that the team would never trade Gleyber Torres or Miguel Andujar. If accurate, that should pretty much end any Mets/Yankees/deGrom fantasy. That same Yankees person also said the Mets would never trade deGrom across town.
Consider this: For roughly two months of Aroldis Chapman, the Yankees acquired Torres, Billy McKinney, and two other pieces from the Cubs. For nearly 2 1/2 years of Andrew Miller, the Yankees acquired Justus Sheffield, Clint Frazier, and two other prospects from the Indians.
Yes, Torres was only a prospect when he was dealt, but he was one of the best prospects in baseball -- acquired along with three other pieces for two months of a reliever. DeGrom is worth far more than that. He's worth Torres or Andujar plus other elite prospects.
DeGrom, who is under team control through 2020, is one of the five-best pitchers in baseball, making just $7.4 million this season. And he'll get paid far below market value each of the next two seasons as well.
If the Yankees want deGrom, their offer can start with Torres or Andujar. Anything less, and the Mets should laugh and hang up.
Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |
Like Heyman, I've heard that the Mets are in theory willing to do a deal here with the Yankees. Like Heyman, I'm profoundly skeptical that deGrom will ever wear pinstripes, at least before free agency.
With teams clinging to their prospects and young players nowadays, I'm also skeptical that the Mets could get a return for deGrom from any team that would justify moving him.
Could I be wrong? Wouldn't be the first time. But here's an idea: Enjoy that you have one of the best pitchers in baseball and continue to build around him.