The New York Mets are now much less likely to make a deal for Starling Marte due to many components and complications.
As has been reported, the Mets have been reluctant to deal outfielder Brandon Nimmo in a deal for just Starling Marte. The Pirates have also said that if Nimmo were not to be included in a trade, then one of New York’s big-ticket prospects such as Ronny Mauricio, Francisco Alvarez, or Matthew Allan would have to be included. As expected, the Mets are reluctant to make a deal like that.
What a source suggested is that the Mets would be willing to deal Brandon Nimmo if an additional piece like Jaimeson Taillon was included. Taillon would be injured for all of 2020 but ready for 2021 and could potentially slot into the Mets rotation nicely.
Another possibility is that a three-team deal is explored where the Mets trade a prospect for Marte and then trade Dom Smith to another team to balance out the value.
Overall, the chances of the Mets acquiring Marte have diminished immensely since Friday. That’s not to say the deal is absolutely dead. But the San Diego Padres also have had trouble negotiating with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Both teams are presumably waiting for the price to come down.
I also spoke with Dallas Braden to see what insight he has on the whole situation. He suggested that if the Mets really feel that they can win now, they should “pull the trigger” and just give Nimmo up. He mentioned that “Nimmo has been kind of screwed around. Given he’s healthy, there’s upside, but if Marte helps a “win-now” effort then you have to pull the trigger if you’re ready to win.”
I certainly agree with Braden but Nimmo is a very hard piece for any team to deal. There is assuredly more to come as talks progress in whatever direction they end up.
