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The Mets and Cubs discussed various chord permutations, including right-handed Zach Davies and one of Kris bryant or Javier Baez, by Jon Heyman of MLB Network (all Twitter connections). Andy Martino from SNY reports that the Mets are looking for a deep throw and a bat, with shortstop Bryant, Baez and Rockies Trevor’s story among their targets. Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post tweets that the Mets are “very” interested in Story, although Saunders has also suggested that if the Rockies trade Story, it will likely happen near the actual deadline.
Reports linking the Mets to Bryant, in particular, go back to the offseason. He would give the Mets the right-handed bat they covet and a defensive upgrade from whatever is available. Jd davis at third base, in addition to providing an outfield corner option based on injury or pitching clashes. Baez, meanwhile, could replace the currently injured Francisco lindor until he is able to come back next month, then move on to second base. This same scenario could apply to Story.
Of the three bats in question, Bryant is having the best overall season by far. The former Rookie of the Year and National League MVP has slashed to .267 / .358 / .503 with 18 home runs. Bryant suffered a miserable fit in June, recording just nine hits in 88 home plate appearances and the entire month without a multi-shot game, but he rebounded in July with a strong performance of .290 / .405 / .516. He earns $ 19.5 million in 2021 and comes with the highest prize of this top trio.
Baez, earning $ 11.65 million in his last year of controlling the club, showed the most power of the field, but also the most concerning levels of plate discipline. He made 22 homers, but as his 0.248 / 0.292 / 0.484 slash shows, his abilities on base (or lack thereof) are somewhat of a problem. Baez has walked just 4.2 percent this year, and although he’s always been a free trader, his current strikeout rate of 36.3 is the worst among any skilled hitter. That said, he and Lindor would form a dynamic defensive tandem in the infield.
The 28-year-old story, like Baez and Bryant, is a free agent at the end of the season. He is arguably having the worst season of his career in 2021, hitting .240 / .312 / .429 (84 wRC +) with 13 home runs. Eight of these long balls have arrived since June 20. On the one hand, it’s encouraging. On the other, he hit .211 with an OBP of .270 at that time. Story’s track record speaks for itself – he beat 0.292 / 0.355 / 0.554 with 83 home runs between 2018 and 2020 – but he hasn’t really found much consistency in 2021. He makes $ 18.5 million this year. season.
As for Davies, he would provide the Mets with a rental starter to help cover innings at the end of the rotation while their best starters mend. Jacob of Grom is currently on the injured list, while no Noah Syndergaard or Carlos Carrasco has pitched a pitch for the Mets so far in 2021. (Carrasco is expected to return this weekend.) The need for help at the back of the rotation has been exacerbated by injuries to David Peterson, Joey lucchesi, Jordan yamamoto and others.
Even among the healthy starters of the Mets, the right-hander Taijuan Walker started to struggle, allowing 16 runs in his last 9 1/3 innings. The Mets have already come out and acquired Rich hill, but it looks like they’re still keen to store as much depth as possible for the final two months of the season – and for a promising playoff offer.
Davies, 28, made 22 starts and pitched at a 4.39 ERA for the Cubs, but averages less than five innings per outing and has some pretty unsightly strikeouts and walk rates. Davies’ 16.3% strikeout rate is the third lowest among qualified starters, while his 12.1% walk rate is the highest of all qualified starters in the MLB. This 4.2 K-BB% differential is also the last among the qualified starters. Given that profile and the fact that he’s a free agent on hold with a salary of $ 8.625 million, Davies probably doesn’t have too much self-worth.
The borderline season has been rather calm so far for the Mets, who lead the East in the National League by three and a half games. The second-placed Phillies, however, completed their unlikely second comeback of the week yesterday to continue to put pressure on their rivals. Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News tweeted Last night, owner Steve Cohen is pushing his front office to be active and improve the club, so it seems fair to anticipate fireworks coming out of Queens today.
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