Buzz: 1B Trade Candidates, and Cantu-Murphy
In a post for MLB Trade Rumors, Tim Dierkes looks at 10 first basemen who could be traded this off season, from Adrian Gonzalez to Jorge Cantu.
…i’d like to think the Mets could acquire fielder or gonzalez, but i just don’t see it happening… i believe, if the Mets are going to dish the necessary prospects for this caliber player, it is far more likely to a pitcher than a bat, which, these days, is easier to find on the open market…
Last month for the Daily News, Adam Rubin said he believes the Mets will likely will trade for a righty-hitting first baseman with a short-term commitment to pair with Daniel Murphy in 2010, as they wait for 1B prospect Ike Davis to develop.
…cantu fits this description… he is eligible for arbitration next season, in which he will probably be paid around $4 million, after which he can be a free agent… so, there is motivation for the Marlins to trade him, and the price tag will limit demand… plus, he’s a short-term play, he’s showing signs of becoming a more disciplined hitter, he hits a ton of doubles, and he hit .322 against left-handed pitching this season, against whom murphy hit .223… he also plays third base… that said, he is not very good on defense, and he’s not particularly quick, two things the Mets should value more these days given their ballpark…
…the thing is, i see the Marlins keeping cantu, and, instead, trading 2B Dan Uggla or OF Cody Ross… but, time will tell…
…which begs the question, should the Mets acquire cantu to play second base, sacrificing defense for power…
Speaking of the Mets and Marlins…
Marlins reporter Joe Frisaro, of MLB.com, believes the Mariners, Rays, Mets and Blue Jays will be among teams interested in Marlins OF Jeremy Hermida.
