On Friday, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported that that the Mets and Padres have been engaged in trade talks, but not just for guys we all suspect.
Sure, we can assume that names like Juston Upton and Will Venable will brought up, but a rival executive told Rosenthal that the Mets could be working to make a pitching move instead.
From Rosenthal’s article:
Recently I heard the Mets were talking to the Padres, so I asked a rival executive for his opinion. The exec guessed on some possible Mets targets — Justin Upton, Joaquin Benoit, Kimbrel — then said: “I wonder if they would try to get Tyson Ross and flip one of their starters for offense.”
Woah. My first thought was that this is an unnecessary measure for the Mets to take, but when I got to thinking, the Kansas City Royals popped into my head and I began to like the concept. They have been dominant for two years with Wade Davis, Kelvin Herrera and Greg Holland, and the Mets could look to be the National League’s premier bullpen with Kimbrel/Benoit and Familia.
The argument against it is that Bobby Parnell has been pretty darn good, albeit in a limited sample, since his return. Also, Jenrry Mejia is back in the fold, although the Mets seem unlikely to rush him into high leverage situations.
On the season, Kimbrel is 1-2 with a 3.24 ERA. He’s struck out 48 in just 33 1/3 innings. Benoit is 6-4 with a 2.39 ERA. He’s struck out 33 in 37 2/3 innings.
As always, this all depends on cost. Kimbrel is young, so his cost will likely be higher, but I love the idea of stockpiling on depth in the bullpen. In the event that the Mets do make a run to the playoffs, it makes them that much more defense.
Remember, as they say, pitching wins championships.
To read more from Ken Rosenthal’s piece, click here.
