MLB
Mets Pull Off Blockbuster By Acquiring Canó and Díaz
Late last night, the Mets acquired Robinson Canó and Edwin Díaz from the Seattle Mariners. In exchange, the Mariners received Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak, Gerson Bautista, and Mets prospects Justin Dunn and Jarred Kelenic. The Mariners are also sending $20 million to the Mets to help pay some of Robinson Canó‘s massive contract. The trade is expected to be made official once medicals are cleared.
What the Mets are Getting
The Mets are getting veteran second basemen in Robinson Canó, and perhaps the best reliever in baseball in Edwin Díaz. Canó, 36, has five years left on his deal with the Mariners. He is still owed $120 million and waived his no-trade clause to return to New York. Díaz, 24, is the star in the deal for the Mets. Díaz had a career-year in 2018. He is much more affordable than Canó because Díaz is not eligible for arbitration until 2020 and will not be eligible for free agency until after the 2022 season.
Canó
Robinson Canó comes to the Mets with a little bit of controversy. Canó was suspended for 80 games last season for violating MLB’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. He did not return to the Mariners until August 14th and only played 80 games in 2018. During that stretch, Canó hit .303 with 10 homers and 50 RBIs for the Mariners. Canó previously played for the New York Yankees from 2005 until 2013. Canó also comes to the Mets as an 8-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glover, five-time Silver Slugger, a World Series champion in 2009, and All-Star Game MVP in 2017. With the move, Canó is expected to fill in at second base, resulting in Jeff McNeil moving to third into a platoon role with Todd Frazier.
Díaz
Reliever Edwin Díaz was the prize in the return the Mets got from Seattle. Díaz was arguably the best relief pitcher in baseball this past year. Díaz posted an ERA of 1.96 with 57 saves in 2018. The 57 saves tied Díaz for second-most all-time in a single season. Díaz was an All-Star in 2018 and was dominant through the entire season. Díaz will presumably take the closer role for the Mets and continue his dominance.
What the Mariners are Getting
The Mariners received Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak, Gerson Bautista, and two prospects from the Mets. After trading Paxton earlier this offseason, the Mariners are in rebuilding mode. The key gets for the Mariners were prospects Justin Dunn and Jarred Kelenic. Dunn is currently the top pitching prospect in the Mets system. He finally started to show glimpses of the talent the Mets expected from him after drafting him back in 2016. The other prospect was Jarred Kelenic. Kelenic was thought by the Mets to be a potential “five-tool” player. He wasted no time impressing after being drafted this past summer. Both prospects were a huge loss for the Mets, but in today’s game, you have to give in order to get. The Mariners are getting the young talent they so desperately need to help rebuild their farm system.
Trade Overview
This trade is a smart move for both sides. The Mets get another bat in their lineup as well as a dynamic reliever. The Mariners get some position fillers and two highly-rated prospects to help begin the rebuilding process. New York was able to complete the trade without giving up Jeff McNeil, and Seattle completed the deal without giving up Mallex Smith, who was rumored to be part of the deal because of the Mets center field needs. The trade is expected to be made official on Monday.
Photo Credit to Keith Allison via Flickr
