The New York Yankees and the New York Mets have been mortal enemies since the time of owner George M. Steinbrenner took over the Yankees and declared the team would be the preeminent New York sports team. Ever since then, the two teams have been rivals as Steinbrenner demanded that the Yankees be successful over their crosstown team every time they were to meet up. But while they fight it out for space on the tabloids’ back pages, these two New York clubs rarely collaborate on trades. Just 15 times since the Mets joined the fold 58 years ago have the crosstown rivals put aside their differences to complete a deal in the hopes of improving their respective organizations.
With a new operating partner in Hal Steinbrenner and a new New York Mets owner, maybe it’s time to put that near trade ban aside for the benefit of both teams. The Met’s new owner Steven Cohen has made it known that he wants to raise the Mets to the top of the National League. At least initially, the trades between the Yanks and Mets have not always resulted in direct changes to their big league clubs. However, there have been several moves that have made an impact. Maybe now is again the time to look at possible trade deals.
Here are some trades that make some sense for both organizations. The Mets have a surplus in Brandon Nimmo, especially if they sign George Springer, who seems to be a Met target. Nimmo would be an upgrade from Brett Gardner, who the Yankee cut lose of. Nimmo is as good as a fourth outfielder gets these days, though he’s not quite a star or a 162-game player. He had a bum 2019 season for the Mets but bounced back when many players didn’t play well in the bizarre 2020 season. He slashed a .280/.404/.484 line.
But like any deal, the New York Yankees would have to give to get. The Yankees would likely have to give up prospects such as Luis Gil and Yoendrys Gomez, Gomez for the Mets is Major League ready, with Gil likely following a year or two later. This would move players that have no 2021 likely value to them.
The New York Yankees should talk to the Mets for a trade deal to add to the Yankee’s pitching depth. The Mets have a pitcher named David Peterson. He is a back of the end rotation guy for the Mets but would be an upgrade for the Yankees Jordan Montgomery. This doesn’t seem to be a logical trade for the Mets. But with so many teams calling Brian Cashman on Mike Tauchman, including him and a high-end prospect such as Estevan Florial, it could make sense to the Mets while shoring up the Yankee’s depleted starting rotation. Peterson was 6-2 in 2020 with a 3.44 ERA. Another plus for the Yankees is that it would keep Clarke Schmidt in an insurance role as he continues to develop.
Here’s another interesting trade to consider: Adam Ottavino for Amed Rosario. With two aspiring prospects right behind Rosario, the Mets don’t have an immediate use for the reliever. It’s true that Adam Ottavino had a disastrous year with the Yankees this past season but still has the ability to be an ace type middle reliever. His bad numbers are mostly attributed to one horrible game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Getting rid of Ottavino would give the Yankees a chance to sign a more capable consistent reliever to take his place on the 40 man. For the Yankees, they would get a good fielding shortstop in Rosario. Last season he hit .257 with four homers and a .981 fielding percentage. For the Mets, maybe a change of scenery is all Ottavino needs to have a 2019-like season.
Whether any of these trade ideas make any sense for either team, only time will tell, but the Yankees and Mets should not rule out trades between the teams that could benefit both teams, especially considering that they don’t play in the same league.