Early Monday, the New York Mets revealed that righty Frankie Montas has been shut down due to a lat injury. At first, the importance — and more critically, the timing for return — was uncertain. However, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman quickly supplied further perspective on how long the Mets should expect to be without Montas, and it does not sound good.
Early Monday, the New York Mets announced that righty Frankie Montas had been shut down due to a lat injury. At first, the significance — and more importantly, the timetable for return — was unknown. But soon, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman had provided more context on how just long the Mets can expect to be without Montas, and it doesn’t sound good.
Heyman means 6-8 weeks, and with a complete ramp-up piled on, the closest bet for Montas’ comeback is mid-May (assuming no further obstacles in his recuperation). Given that New York’s rotation was already a question mark, losing Montas means that fans and media will ramp up the trade rumors, with San Diego Padres ace Dylan Cease being the most prominent option recently mentioned.
The Mets should consider adding to their rotation, which now includes Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea, David Peterson, and Clay Holmes. From there, the fifth position is presently open, with veterans like Paul Blackburn and Griffin Canning not inspiring much confidence. However, David Stearns does not intend to use the team’s newly restructured farm system to move players who are essential to the organization’s future.
Internally, the key choices are Blackburn, Canning, and Tylor Megill, with top prospect Brandon Sproat also available due to a successful spring. Even if that strategy doesn’t produce as many victories until mid-May, the asking price for Cease is unsustainable. The Mets are still good enough to coast to the trade deadline as buyers, and acquiring Cease is not worth the money.
Dylan Cease trade just as unlikely for Mets as it was yesterday
If the Mets make a trade, it will not be a blockbuster, so don’t look for an answer from San Diego. The Padres want to reduce salary, but they’re more likely to do so through closer Robert Suarez. GM AJ Preller still wants to compete for the NL West Division Title, so it isn’t as simple as “helping the Padres out” by taking some salary and a pending free agent off their hands.
The Mets will still have to pay a premium for him, and given the Padres’ leverage, they are unlikely to lower their asking price. As previously stated, Stearns will not sell the farm for one year of Cease, who is almost certain not to sign any extension just a year out from cashing in on the open market.
Of course, New York has shocked us before. This trade, however, would be unexpected. The Padres reportedly asked for Sproat, Luis Angel Acuna, and top infield prospect Jett Williams in exchange for Cease. That asking price was ludicrous at best, and it’s difficult to imagine the Mets allowing themselves to be cheated after losing what appears to be their fifth starter.
