Hugwatch

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Baty

Vientos

Acura

Who else?

[MFS62]

Just saw (metsmerized?) that they're shopping Blackburn around.

Later

[Benjamin Grimm]

Trading Blackburn would be a salary dump. They're not at all likely to get anyone of much value for him.

[metirish]

Some talk that Acuña would be part of a trade for Luis Robert from the White Sox

https://www.mlb.com/news/luis-robert-jr-trade-frontrunner-emerges-ahead-of-deadline

[Gwreck]

Trading Blackburn would be a salary dump. They're not at all likely to get anyone of much value for him.

 

I wouldn’t call it a salary dump — it’s a couple months left on a $4M annual contract — basically a rounding error for the Mets.

It’s more that he’s going to time out from his rehab assignment and thus the Mets have to activate or release him, so they’re trying to grab any value they can for him.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Nobody wants to hug Blackburn

[Edgy MD]

Baty

Vientos

Acura

 

Actually I am kinda curious what we could get for a pre-owned Toyota.

Maybe with some Hankook tires.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Some talk that Acuña would be part of a trade for Luis Robert from the White Sox

https://www.mlb.com/news/luis-robert-jr-trade-frontrunner-emerges-ahead-of-deadline

 

Chicago's asking price for Robert is "very high".

I hope they come down from that stance. He's sucked for about two years now and he still has a lot of money coming to him. They should be happy to trade him for Paul Blackburn.

[Frayed Knot]

Yeah, I don't get a high level of interest in Robert

BA last five seasons: .338, .284, .264, .224, .206 ... I think that's what they tend to call a 'negative trend'

He's also always hurt -- 2023 was his only season in six with with 100+ games played. He should pass it this season even though he's missed 20% to date (87/108)

And, yeah, he's still just 27 y/o, but he's also a FA at the end of the year so it's not like we'd be 'buying' his prime years.

[kcmets]

Actually I am kinda curious what we could get for a pre-owned Toyota.

Maybe with some Hankook tires.

 

Generally, an acquiring team these days will insist on manufacturer

certified pre-owned (CPO) that has been rigorously inspected and

reconditioned and meets specific criteria allowing extended selling-

team-backed warranty and other benefits.

Things have become quite complicated these days.

[Edgy MD]

That came into play when we where trying to acquire Kodai Sentra.

[MFS62]

Actually I am kinda curious what we could get for a pre-owned Toyota.

Maybe with some Hankook tires.

 

Generally, an acquiring team these days will insist on manufacturer

certified pre-owned (CPO) that has been rigorously inspected and

reconditioned and meets specific criteria allowing extended selling-

team-backed warranty and other benefits.

Things have become quite complicated these days.

 

Yabbutt it was only driven on weekends by a little old lady.

Later

[Gwreck]

but he's also a FA at the end of the year so it's not like we'd be 'buying' his prime years.

 

Not quite a FA. He comes with team options for 2026 and 2027, at $20M each year.

[Frayed Knot]

Aah, I didn't read the fine print over at BB-Ref. OK so we might be buying his theoretical prime years. [$20M x 2 or $2M buyouts for each '26 & '27]

The downside is that his cost is escalating just as his production is declining. Makes one wonder what justifies the optimism is going forward considering recent trends.

2024 & '25 combined: 187 games played (out of 271); .216/.286/.366 // 651; OPS+ = 83

[MFS62]

Aah, I didn't read the fine print over at BB-Ref. OK so we might be buying his theoretical prime years. [$20M x 2 or $2M buyouts for each '26 & '27]

The downside is that his cost is escalating just as his production is declining. Makes one wonder what justifies the optimism is going forward considering recent trends.

2024 & '25 combined: 187 games played (out of 271); .216/.286/.366 // 651; OPS+ = 83

 

We have a GM who got a Jose Siri (career average .207/.265/.403 OPS+= 87), so anything's possible.

Later

[Benjamin Grimm]

I wouldn't be opposed to the Mets getting Robert, if they think he can contribute. I just don't want them paying a high price in talent, which is what the White Sox reportedly want.

[Frayed Knot]

Siri was acquired to be a part-time defensive CF w/some pop and cost the Mets a 27 y/o reliever with 2 ML games under his belt.

He also makes 1/5 of what Roberts does now and more like 1/8 of what he's scheduled to earn going forward.

Not even remotely a good comparison.

If Luis Robert is obtainable for a 27 y/o reliever with no ML track record, count me in.

[MFS62]

If Luis Robert is obtainable for a 27 y/o reliever with no ML track record, count me in.

 

For something like that, or even a mid grade pitching prospect like Tidwell, it would be ok.

Later

[Frayed Knot]

But there's a big gap between a "mid grade prospect" and a "very high price" (whatever that means) as the speculative cost for Robert.

THAT's what I'm questioning!

[MFS62]

I agree. I'm not sure his current level of performance warrants a high price.

I'm sure his mother and the White Sox GM believe he's worth it.

Later