The MLB Winter Meetings are at full force. The New York Mets, a team on the verge of contention, are looking to add a fifth starter and strengthen its bullpen.
To do so, however, they would need to shed some payroll to acquire a high-profile free agent or give up major-league ready talent to lure a team into trading a valuable piece back.
General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen is reportedly looking at all avenues to improve the team. One of them, however, would involve trading a valuable, controllable young piece of the outfield.
A valuable young piece for the Mets
According to Andy Martino, the Mets are likely to deal a major league outfielder in their pursuit of Pittsburgh Pirates’ star Starling Marte. And that player is Brandon Nimmo.
Martino, citing his sources, said that the Mets are “open” to the idea of trading Nimmo to the Pirates if that’s what it takes to land the two-time Gold Glove winner.
For now, the two teams are in constant conversations, but no deal is imminent. As Martino wrote, it is “too early” to say if Marte gets traded to Mets during the Winter Meetings, but they’re “working on it.”
Nimmo, 26, has significant trade value in his own right. He is young, he has four additional years of cheap team control, and he is a talented and patient hitter that can fit in nicely near the top of any lineup.
A lost season
However, injuries did not treat him well throughout the 2019 season. He missed time with a bulging cervical disc in his neck and only played in 69 games with the New York Mets.
His ability take walks rode his OPS all the way to .782 and his OBP to .375 despite a meager .221 batting average. Additionally, he hit eight home runs and stole three bags. He was an above-average hitter with a 104 wRC+.
Since 2017 began, Nimmo has an elite .391 on-base percentage in 1,004 plate appearances. Defensively, he is best suited in right field but is capable of playing at all three positions if needed.
Presumably, more pieces would be moved in a potential trade between the New York Mets and the Pittsburgh Pirates.