The New York Yankees are looking to unload payroll for 2020. The New York Mets are looking to do something similar. Yankees fans think we need a better back up catcher than Kyle Higashioka. I agree with that because Higashioka isn’t that great of a catcher, but he’s out of options, and the Yankees brass seem high on him. The Mets want Starling Marte and want to stay under the $208 million luxury tax threshold, so moving a couple of contracts helps them.
Why not work out trading JA Happ to the Mets for Wilson Ramos?
A .280 hitter with 17 HRs and 80ish RBI’s? Why wouldn’t the Yankees want that? The Mets will be looking to shop Brandon Nimmo and Jed Lowrie. So if they move both, why not move Ramos to the Yankees in exchange for Happ?
Their salaries aren’t that different, so if the Mets move enough salary, acquiring Happ isn’t the worst option in the world. We’re talking a $6 million difference. If the Yankees include a little bit of cash, let’s say $3 million, trading for Happ seems like a no brainer.
How This Helps Both Teams
The New York Yankees, realistically, don’t need J.A. Happ. Yes, there’s the whole Domingo German possible suspension happening, but Happ’s less than lackluster 2019 is enough to move him off the team. And Higgy, well, we’re talking a career .250 hitter in the MINOR leagues, with a fielding percentage not much better than Gary Sanchez who so many fans deem to be “The worst defensive catcher ever.” Ramos is a more than acceptable playerto fill in for Sanchez, who will spend some time on the IL this season.
Fransico Alvarez should make a splash as the Mets backup catcher for next season. Happ provides depth to a very thin Mets starting rotation, and with a notably larger park in Citi Field than Yankee stadium, Happ will have an opportunity to show that he still has something left in the tank. Considering Matz’s injury problems, Happ would see some time.
Brian, Brodie, it’s time to make a call.