Social media in the moments after a trade is rather predictable. On Wednesday, news broke that the New York Mets traded for San Francisco Giants reliever Tyler Rogers. The return, however, wasn’t immediately clear.
As thumbs grew sore, the full deal was finally released. New York dealt starter Blade Tidwell, outfielder Drew Gilbert, and reliever José Buttó to San Francisco for the spindly right-hander.
Fans, instantly, threw themselves into a frenzy. Gilbert had been half of the return for Justin Verlander. Tidwell flashed promising stuff in a handful of spot starts. But most importantly, Buttó, an appreciated side character in the sitcom of Mets baseball, became a recognizable name heading west.
Did the Mets give up too much?
President of baseball operations David Stearns is nothing if not consistent. He’s carried the small-market approach that made him an executive all-star in Milwaukee to the Big Apple, emboldened by owner Steve Cohen’s cash but as responsible as ever.
On its face, giving up two prospects and a useful reliever certainly feels like an overpay. A closer look at their collective fit in New York’s plans reveals why the Mets were happy to accept.
Buttó’s ability to pitch multiple innings made him an important piece of the bullpen, but improving at the deadline means churning through options at the bottom of the roster.
Edwin Díaz, Reed Garrett, and Ryne Stanek aren’t going anywhere as late-inning arms. Brooks Raley just arrived, and the Mets traded for a second lefty, Gregory Soto, earlier in the month. Rogers will slide into the back end of the bullpen, and Huascar Brazobán is a safe bet to return down the stretch. That’s seven spots in an eight-man bullpen, and New York might not be done adding reinforcements.
Any further upgrades would have made Buttó even more expendable. Without any options left, the Mets would be forced to designate him for assignment and risk losing him for nothing. Instead, he’ll get a key upgrade across the finish line.
MORE: Mets option top bullpen arm after meltdown vs. Padres
Gilbert and Tidwell, meanwhile, are similarly more valuable to the Giants than the Mets. The former is more name value than substance, sporting a 105 wRC+ at Triple-A while approaching his 25th birthday. Tidwell has a live arm and two quality secondaries, but his struggles with command had New York considering a move to the pen.
Now, that isn’t to say that neither had value. Gilbert projects somewhere between a fourth outfielder and the potential replacement for Mike Yastrzemski in right field. Tidwell could turn into a higher-leverage reliever, and San Francisco might further optimize his arsenal. Buttó has proven to be a big-league arm and can contribute right away.
The Mets have multiple prospects at both positions more valuable than the two they dealt, and managing the 40-man roster could have led to either one being lost for nothing. Buttó’s lack of options offered a similar risk, limiting his trade value while making him an urgent player to move.
Ultimately, Stearns doesn’t overpay for rental relievers. He didn’t in Milwaukee, he hasn’t in Flushing, and Wednesday’s news was no different. He deserves the benefit of the doubt, and for a reliever of Rogers’ consistency, the New York faithful should be happy to accept the hit to the farm system.
MORE MLB NEWS
