PHILADELPHIA — The Mets, which already have the most expensive players in major league history, are now using Steve Cohen’s financial strength to add talent to the organization in more creative ways.
The Mets opened the trading season on Friday with a deal to expand pitching, sending veteran infielder Eduardo Escobar to the Angels for right-handed contenders Coleman Crow and Landon Marceaux. The Double-A pitchers, both of whom were in the top 20 on MLB Pipeline’s Angels prospect list, are helping to strengthen a farm system where high-level talent is few.
COMMERCIAL DETAILS
get meads: RHP Coleman Crow (Angels No. 19 contender), RHP Landon Marceaux (No. 20)
Get Angel: INF Eduardo Escobar, cash
The Mets essentially bought these pitchers from the Angels by agreeing to pay Escobar’s entire salary except for the major league minimum salary, which (by league rule) must be on the Los Angeles books. Escobar is earning $9.5 million this season with a $9 million option for 2024 that includes a $500,000 buyout. (The Mets will not choose that option if the Angels choose to exercise it.)
“Steve makes things like this possible because he’s willing to spend the money to get other prospects,” general manager Billy Eppler said in a phone interview. “I think that just shows there’s a commitment to our long-term build.”
Why did the Mets decide to trade Escobar now?
Though Escobar was a key part of the Mets roster last year with 101 wins, he lost most of his playing time to rookie Brett Baty. That made him expendable for a team that also has third basemen Luis Guillorme and Mark Vientos in the organization.
Rather than continue using Escobar in a part-time draft role, the Mets took action when the Angels called to inquire about corner infielders. The teams worked out concepts later this week before agreeing on Friday on a structure that would net the Mets both Crow and Marceaux in exchange for Escobar, who hit .236 with four homers in 40 games.
The deal is an example of the type of structure the Mets could use in future deals, using Cohen’s money to pay off contracts in exchange for better prospects. The idea is to accelerate the rebuilding of an agricultural system that is already much stronger than it was two to three years ago.
How good are the prospects the Mets have received?
Crow, 22, is a 2019 28th-round draft pick who broke through this season with a 1.88 ERA across four starts at Double-A Rocket City. Those numbers include 31 strikeouts and six walks in 24 innings. He will be the 11th-ranked candidate in the Mets system, according to the MLB pipeline.
Marceaux, 23, was selected in the third round of the 2021 draft. He posted a 4.88 ERA in 12 starts this season, but posted a 2.98 ERA last year, with the majority of that performance coming at High-A Tri-City. He becomes the 18th candidate in the New York system.
These two are among the starting players most likely to help the Mets next season, alongside Mike Vasil, Dominic Hamel and José Butto. Although the Mets have several high-ceilinged pitchers in their farm system, the bulk of them are still at the bottom tiers of the minor leagues. Crow and Marceaux help plug this hole.
What are the disadvantages of trading Escobar and who could replace it?
There is an emotional component to the loss of Escobar, a popular teammate who is hoping to become a US citizen later this month. But the Mets were willing to pay that price to improve their farming system.
“It’s tough,” said manager Buck Showalter, who alerted Escobar to the move during Friday’s 5-1 loss to the Phillies. “It’s a difficult conversation. … Everyone has great respect for him. I think what makes it a little more palatable is that it’s a good place for him, a good place for him to re-establish himself as the player we know he can be.”
Although fourth-ranked junior Ronny Mauricio is capable of playing at third base, the Mets have no plans to call him up until they’re ready to field him every day. On Friday night, Mets officials discussed two main options to replace Escobar: Vientos and Danny Mendick. The former has just been given to the Minors but may be recalled due to the trade. The latter is an offseason signing who scored at Friday’s Triple-A Syracuse and is on a six-game winning streak.
Does that mean the Mets will sell at close?
This deal does not indicate an imminent sell-off for the fourth-ranked Mets. Although the team could hand over more squad parts before the trading deadline on August 1, Eppler does not want to make this decision for several weeks. There’s still a scenario where the Mets start to play better and start looking for reinforcements by deadline, just as there’s a scenario where the Mets are making little buying or selling.
In any case, the Mets are aware that their game will determine Eppler’s strategy.
“Usually this is what happens: we don’t play well, people lose jobs,” said shortstop Francisco Lindor. “But I don’t see us as a team that will be sold out. I see us as a team that will keep up, that will be there. We are designed to be competitors.”
Most importantly, the Mets intend to continue taking steps to improve the overall health of their organization in 2024 and beyond.