How to hook a Trout

[Frayed Knot]

With their season heading down the shitter: currently 13-19 with 2 wins in their last 10
- with the albatross of the Pujols contract around their neck: the 36 y/o is owed 165 million thru 2021 and is currently hitting .181.
- with multiple injuries to their pitching staff: 2 starters likely for TJ surgery (Garrett Richards, Andrew Haney) plus 2 more on the shelf until at least June (Tyler Skaggs, CJ Wilson) and closer Huston Street currently out
- and with what's being described as the worst farm system in the history of mankind (or something like that)
tongues are wagging (although not from within the organization as far as we know) about whether the Angels should look into dealing off Mike Trout rather than waste his prime years waiting for the team to get good again.


So naturally that speculation leads to the further speculation of: Well if he did go where might he land?
Former GM Jim Duquette seems to be mlb.com's go-to guy for this sort of stuff lately and he includes the Mets as a possibility (along with the Cubs, BoSox, Rangers, Dodgers) in a piece he wrote this week, which is I suppose is better, longshot though it may be, to be included in this sort of thing rather than it is to be dismissed as not rich enough, willing enough, deep enough, interested enough, etc.
In the piece he opines that any offer for Trout starts with Matz & Conforto, or, alternatively, Matz + Wheeler + the likes of Dom Smith & Amed Rosario

Trout, 25 in August, is signed through 2020 at $16 mil (this year), then 20, then $34, $34, $34
His four full season in MLB have resulted in a ROY, two MVPs plus two 2nd place, and four silver sluggers

Full article: http://m.mlb.com/news/article/177223904/which-5-teams-could-deal-for-mike-trout

[TransMonk]

Trout's amazing and I don't want to belittle his value, but to me, on the 2016 New York Mets, he doesn't fit a need big enough to sacrifice any of the players it would take to get him. Maybe two years ago, or even this past off-season before Cespedes was signed, Trout could have filled a missing piece. I understand that some of his value is based on future years, but the Mets should be in "win-now" mode and I wouldn't want to dent the surplus of young arms (and/or give away a young Conforto) to insert Trout into a lineup that should already be strong enough to compliment the young pitching staff.

[Edgy MD]

I'm not advocating, but the Mets have to be operating from the perspective that Céspedes is in his walk year.

Unlike Cespedes, he's signed for four years — at a rate that seems ridiculous on the face of it, but may end up looking bargainaraiffic pretty soon.

[TransMonk]

Agreed. Cespedes is likely gone next year (though, that was the same thought most had late last season).

You always have to look to the future, but 2016 should be a "go for it" year. They have Cespedes RIGHT NOW. I think Matz/Conforto/Wheeler are better pieces for the Mets in 2016 than the addition of Trout would be.

The Mets' outfield is stable and productive right now. I'd rather be keeping tabs on a guy like Jonathan Lucroy just in case d'Arnaud can't heal and Plawecki's success over the past couple of games doesn't continue.

[Edgy MD]

I certainly think 2016 is a go-for-it year. I think they all are.

And I think the idea of adding the player who is, now, the best player in baseball — and has been for the last five years — is for it to be a go-for-it move.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

To be honest I never see the Angels play and so almost believe Trout is some kind of urban legend. But if it's true it's one way to get Cespedes to try right field. I dunno tho. Cost would be big in terms of young guys. Not sure giving up on the cheap years of _________ is worth it....

[Lefty Specialist]

Jersey boy, too. But I'd balk at Matz/Conforto. If they want Harvey/Wheeler/Rosario/Smith, I'm listening.

[soupcan]

Lefty Specialist wrote: But I'd balk at Matz/Conforto. If they want Harvey/Wheeler/Rosario/Smith, I'm listening.

I'm in agreement with this but if the Mets do a deal like that - a deal that isn't 'necessary' - they start to look like like the Steinbrenner Yankees and I loathed those teams and their tactics to grab the biggest names no matter the cost or the need.

Trout is great, would be a great addition and put this team right on par with the Cubs but I happen to like them as is. I'm also not convinced Yoenis is going anywhere either.


And I realize I took an extended leave of absence from the 'Pool, but why is Howie Rose and his quote hanging out under my can?

[batmagadanleadoff]

But Trout is on a pace that would make him baseball's best post WWII player, ever. Think of that.

[TransMonk]

soupcan wrote: And I realize I took an extended leave of absence from the 'Pool, but why is Howie Rose and his quote hanging out under my can?

See this: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=18851

[TransMonk]

I'm looking for the best team, not the best player.

The 2016 Mets As Is > The 2016 Mets As Is - Matz - Conforto + Trout

[Edgy MD]

In your or on the field? Because there's a lot of ways to measure that, as far as WAR to date, and full-season projections. I imagine the projections wouldn't support that (which isn't to say that they'd be right).

How about if it's Harvey and Conforto?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

If we get to trade Harvey sign me up for #TeamTrout

[seawolf17]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: If we get to trade Harvey sign me up for #TeamTrout

Harvey for Trout, straight up. DO IT, SANDY.

[TransMonk]

I would consider Harvey/Conforto...but I would probably want to wait until the deadline and make sure there are no set backs in Wheeler's return.

[Edgy MD]

No faith and no love for Logan Verrett.

[soupcan]

I'd be on board for Harvey/Conforto for Trout but even though it ain't my money, Trout's contract is YUUUGE.

Kinda scary and knowing the Wilpons its gonna hamstring the team at some point down the line.

[smg58]

I just can't fathom the Angels would part with him at all, and if they did, it would be for the biggest package that one player has netted in the history of the game.

[Chad ochoseis]

I'd do this trade for Conforto plus their choice of any pitcher whose last name has ten letters or fewer.

I usually don't like big contracts unless

(a) the player isn't some aging slugger or speed demon who has a good probability of turning the last few years of the contract into a major albatross, a la Reyes, Howard, and Pujols and
( the player can transform a pretty good team to one of the best in the majors. It's not worth the big bucks and commitment to turn a last place team into a third place team.

But, whaddya know, (a) and ( both apply here. And 5 years/$138M isn't all that yuge for arguably the best player in the majors, and someone who would fit well into the Mets' lineup if Conforto were part of the trade.

Conforto and Matz are both likely to become really good players for a really long time. But it's a good bet that their combined value won't ever approach Trout's. And, sure, they're bargains, but the Mets have plenty of bargains right now. I like to think that they can take on one more big contract (yeah, I know, Wilpons...but one can dream, right?).

As far as a lefty starter to replace Matz in the rotation, Sean Gilmartin is currently 4-1, 2.48 in the PCL. He's no Matz, but he'll do.