It looks like we're talking about Andrew McCutchen

[Edgy MD]

That said, FanGraphs' Steamer tool projects him for a 3.6 fWAR this season, which is something like Lagares' upside (if not quite his ceiling).

On the other hand, those projections gravitate toward the mean. Paul Goldschmidt has a 4.3 projection. Nolan Arrenado has a 4.2. But obviously some of these guys will have soaring years. So forget I said anything.

[Centerfield]

I don't know if it's a trajectory. I guess you don't know until you see how it plays out, but his OPS has been dropping each of the last 3 years. .952-.889.-766.

I guess if he bounces back it's an aberration. If he gets worse it's a trajectory.

[ashie62]

I would trade Matz for McCutchen, and quickly.

One has a big resume, one has a small one.

Pirate GM would be shot if that went off like that.

[Centerfield]

Ashie62 wrote: I would trade Matz for McCutchen, and quickly. One has a big resume, one has a small one. Pirate GM would be shot if that went off like that.

Maybe we could offer to take back Antonio Bastardo.

Where is Jon Niese? Let's sign him and trade him again.

[Guest cooby]

I want him to stay a Pirate

[TransMonk]

I wonder with the Nats seemingly out if Sandy can make a play here from a position of strength.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I would trade the shit out of Matz for this fella

[Edgy MD]

TRAID HARVEY!!1!1!

[MFS62]

Edgy MD wrote: TRAID HARVEY!!1!1!

You're right.
Let's get rid of that wuss.
What's he done lately?

Later

[Gwreck]

It can't possibly just take Steven Matz to get McCutchen or we would have done so already, right?

McCutchen is getting $14M in 2017 and the same in 2018 with a team option ($1M buyout).

[Lefty Specialist]

Hmm. McCutchen would look really good in this lineup, but whither Conforto if that happens? You have to assume Bruce gets traded and Grandy moves back to RF.

[Edgy MD]

McCutcheon wouldn't look nearly as good as Joseph F. Votto. That's what I say.

[Lefty Specialist]

Edgy MD wrote: McCutcheon wouldn't look nearly as good as Joseph F. Votto. That's what I say.

Yeah, but that contract. Ay Caramba. Not just the money but the length, too.

[Edgy MD]

I'm telling you, by the end of the contract, it won't look so big.

[Vic Sage]

Edgy MD wrote: I'm telling you, by the end of the contract, it won't look so big.

Yes, I Vote 4 Votto!

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

We're all in agreement then. Matz, Bruce and Doodoo for Votto and a Cincy relief pitcher.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

HURRY THE EFF UP AND MAKE THIS DEAL SANDY!!!!!1

[Frayed Knot]

Both the NYPost and the Snooze pick up this morning on Ken Rosenthal's recent tidbit that the Mets have had "ever-so preliminary" talks recently concerning Andrew McCutcheon.

Neither gets into the guesstimation game on what it would take to swing a deal as both articles are more about going through the logistics of what it would take just to pre-set the stage for a possible swap.
Mainly, they'd first have to deal both Bruce & Granderson as adding an OFer when you've already got an OF glut only compounds things, and that they'd likely have to add at least one reliever (above and beyond whatever they might want to add anyway) in order to make up for the likely pitching drain of whoever heads to Steel Town.

As always, both add that only Amed Rosario is off the table if and when discussion ever do turn serious.

[MFS62]

And then there's this from sny.com

Dec. 20 | 8:22AM The Blue Jays remain in talks with the Mets about a possible deal involving Jay Bruce or Curtis Granderson, according to FoxSports.com's Jon Morosi. The day the Mets announced the Yoenis Cespedes signing, a Mets official told Kevin Kernan of the NY Post that trading both Jay Bruce and Curtis Granderson was possible. Dec. 19 | 10:50AM The Blue Jays, Orioles and Rangers continue to be talked about as the most likely destination for Bruce, several MLB insiders recently told MetsBlog.com's Matthew Cerrone. "There are other teams with interest, and other teams that make sense -- such as the Mariners, Indians, Cardinals and Giants," Cerrone added. "However, the current buzz points to Texas, Baltimore and Toronto ending up as the best fit for Bruce when all is said and done." Instead of immediate impact-talent, the Mets will likely get back a low-cost, low-ceiling reliever or one or two minor leaguers in a deal for Bruce. "The O's and Rangers are willing to deal relief pitchers, while the Jays are more interested in moving prospects or an extra position player, such as Dalton Pompey," Cerrone concluded.

Later

[Frayed Knot]

... the Jays are more interested in moving prospects or an extra position player, such as Dalton Pompey," Cerrone concluded.

I don't know about that guy, he could blow up at any minute.

[Centerfield]

Frayed Knot wrote: Both the NYPost and the Snooze pick up this morning on Ken Rosenthal's recent tidbit that the Mets have had "ever-so preliminary" talks recently concerning Andrew McCutcheon. Neither gets into the guesstimation game on what it would take to swing a deal as both articles are more about going through the logistics of what it would take just to pre-set the stage for a possible swap. Mainly, they'd first have to deal both Bruce & Granderson as adding an OFer when you've already got an OF glut only compounds things, and that they'd likely have to add at least one reliever (above and beyond whatever they might want to add anyway) in order to make up for the likely pitching drain of whoever heads to Steel Town. As always, both add that only Amed Rosario is off the table if and when discussion ever do turn serious.

I would think the Pirates would be asking for something like Matz and Conforto. Which, I guess, would help alleviate the OF situation, but do nothing to clear salary.

As the articles suggest, I think the probability of this is pretty low.

It would be strange to have a rotation without any lefties.

[seawolf17]

Centerfield wrote: It would be strange to have a rotation without any lefties.

"You rang?"

[Centerfield]

seawolf17 wrote: Centerfield wrote: It would be strange to have a rotation without any lefties. "You rang?"

LOLOLOL.

Not funny.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I'll bet if he wanted to, and he were healthy enough, (two big "ifs" I know) Niese could adjust his game so that he could fake it as a lefty bullpenner. Offhand I'd you'd have to think that at least some degree of "success" among LOOGYs is due to the highly specialized nature of the assignnmet itself vs. the highly generalized nature of the No. 5 starting assignment.

That said little in Niese's career splits would indicate he possesses anything that's especially tough on lefties (or anyone else) but conditions could be such for him and maybe us that someone gives him the chance.

[Edgy MD]

LOOGy or not, Niese looked strong out of the bullpen in the 2015 postseason.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

As I recall it he dodged a bullet (smoking line drive caught?) but got it done.

I mean it's likely at some point every team will need relief help from someone else's castoff former starter.

[ashie62]

Getting McCutchen might be easier if we had not tendered Bruce. It appears we overestimated Bruce's value. Jay is part of a logjam for now.

[Edgy MD]

He'll bring something back.

I'm a little wary of of McCutchen—coming off a bad year, several years since he was a defensive plus, and still bearing a superstar's price tag. On the other paw, I've always loved his halfback physique, and he strikes me as the type of guy who can still be an asset when he's not at 100%. I think Alderson values those type of guys.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'll be pretty surprised if he ends up as a Met, but perhaps quite not as surprised as I would have been two or three weeks ago.

[Centerfield]

Edgy MD wrote: I'm a little wary of of McCutchen—coming off a bad year, several years since he was a defensive plus, and still bearing a superstar's price tag.

I assume you mean in terms of trade haul? His salary is pretty reasonable.