In a strange turn of events, the New York Mets have found themselves to be buyers at the trade deadline. According to the Miami Marlins team page, the team has agreed to terms to deal Aj Ramos for Merandy Gonzalez and Ricardo Cespedes. The move means that the Mets are looking towards the 2018 season. The Mets are 13.5 games out of the division and nine games out of the Wild Card.
Mets looking towards future
The Mets were likely to deal closer Addison Reed at one point this season. Reed is set to be a free agent at the end of the season. Ramos is not going to be a free agent until the end of next season.
Ramos has a 3.63 earned run average this season with 20 saves, the New York Times reported. The move might sound confusing if the Mets do not ship Reed to another team. However, if the team wants to try and contend for next season, then Ramos provides the bullpen a reliable arm for closing out games.
The Mets have been hit hard with injuries this season. Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey have missed significant time this season. The Mets still have a young rotation moving forward, so the team believes they can still contend. The Mets made the World Series just two seasons ago with this core. With Ramos, the team can afford to move on from Reed.
Marlins start firesale
The Marlins have been reported to selling for quite some time, but have made very little moves.
Ramos is the first pawn to leave. Marcell Ozuna and Christian Yelich are still on the trade block, while Dan Straily is drawing interest from multiple teams. The sale of the team has been reported to stalling the sale of major pieces such as Ozuna or Yelich.
The Marlins received two quality prospects. Gonzalez was once ranked a high caliber prospect according to MLB.com.
Gonzalez is ranked the ninth best prospect in the farm system. Cespedes is ranked the No. 22 best prospect in the Mets farm system.
Straily next to go?
The Kansas City Royals are reportedly interested in Straily according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. The Royals are contending for the wild card. Straily has been a reliable starter this season and is not set to be a free agent until 2020.
The Royals might lose All Star Jason Vargas this offseason, so the team is looking for controllable starters moving forward.
Straily was once rumored to be on the Royals radar last season but was traded to the Marlins for prospects. The Marlins are hoping to do the same as they are out of playoff contention and with the trade deadline looming, the Royals are running out of time to make a move.
