The first big salvo of Major League Baseball’s trade season was fired Sunday afternoon, when the Mets gave up a couple of prospects to acquire Blue Jays ace starting pitcher Marcus Stroman.
It was no secret Stroman was on the trade market, however, the teams rumored to be interested were in better playoff position than the Mets: The Yankees and Braves seemed logical destinations, considering they’re both playoff bound but need starting pitching.
Instead, Stroman is headed back to his hometown of New York.
NEW YORK! Where I was born. Where my heart lies. Crazy excited for this part of my journey. Some things were meant to be! @Mets #HDMH pic.twitter.com/Z2H3GaxfLG
— Marcus Stroman (@MStrooo6) July 29, 2019
The ace and the return
Stroman rebounded from a rough 2018 to become one of the American League’s best starters this season.
He holds a 2.96 ERA with 99 strikeouts and 35 walks in 124-2/3 innings, and opposing batters have hit only 10 home runs against him. That’s a small number when the ball is flying everywhere else.
In return, the Blue Jays receive left-handed starting pitcher Anthony Kay, who was brilliant at Double-A last year but has struggled at Triple-A, and Simeon Woods-Richardson, a young righty who is still in Single-A. They were the Nos. 4 and 6 prospects, respectively, in the Mets system and slot in at Nos. 5 and 7 in the Jays system.
Anthony Kay had opened eyes this season advancing to Triple-A. He was the Mets’ top-ranked pitching prospect.
Simeon Woods-Richardson had as much helium as anyone in the system — team evaluators gushed about his fastball.
They ranked fourth and sixth in the Mets’ farm system.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) July 28, 2019
Polarizing reaction
The Mets caught plenty of positive and negative reaction for the move.
Considering New York is 50-55 and mired deep in the NL East standings, giving up prospects for short-term Major League help seems shortsighted.
On the other hand, the Mets only gave up their Nos. 4 and 6 prospects in the deal and now have perhaps the three best starting pitchers available before Wednesday’s trade deadline: Stroman, Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler.
There’s also the possibility that there are more moves to come that could make the Mets poised for a playoff run next year, when Stroman will still be under contract.
I remember a simpler time when I could laugh at the Mets front office without it affecting my job prospects
— James Holzhauer (@James_Holzhauer) July 29, 2019
