As hard as it to believe, the New York Mets actually made a trade. That and more in this edition of Mets Musings.
Hooray! A Trade! On Wednesday, the New York Mets dealt left-handed reliever Josh Smoker for to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Daniel Zamora and cash considerations.
Smoker’s fate has been sealed when he was designated for assignment last week to make room for Jose Reyes on the 40-man roster.
Originally drafted by the Washington Nationals in the first round of the 2007 MLB Draft, recurring injuries caused him to flame out, never playing higher than Class-A Advanced.
Smoker’s second chance came in the form of the New York Mets when the club plucked him out of independent ball in 2015. He made his major league debut a year later on August 19, 2016, and picked up his first major league win on August 29th after an extra-innings matchup with the Marlins.
Zamora, a 24-year-old left-hander, posted a 1.86 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 37 games for High-A Bradenton last season. He also recorded three scoreless innings after being promoted to the Altoona Curve, Pittsburgh’s Double-A Affiliate.
Selected out of Stony Brook in the 40th round of the 2015 MLB Draft, Zamora has posted a 2.49 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 133 strikeouts during his three years in the minor leagues. Possessing a strong sinker and slider, Baseball Prospectus’ Jeffrey Paternostro believes Zamora can develop into a lefty specialist.
Sandy Speaks
Per the New York Post’s Mike Puma, Sandy Alderson addressed a gathering of fans as the Mets’ truck at Citi Field was loaded up to head to Port St. Lucie.
The Mets' truck is leaving Citi Field for Port St. Lucie today. Sandy Alderson is addressing a gathering of fans. Says the Mets have been as active as anybody this offseason.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) February 1, 2018
Alderson defended the Mets’ offseason moves, saying that the team has been as active as anybody this offseason.
“We have done more than probably 80 percent of the teams in the game.”
Alderson alluded to a few more things. One of which being that the team is open-minded about the bullpen and the possibility of adding another veteran reliever. Despite the sentiment of fans, a reunion with Bartolo Colon is unlikely.
Alderson was just asked by a fan about "Big Sexy" … says a reunion is unlikely.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) February 1, 2018
Rounding out his speech, Alderson indicated that the team could add a veteran to compliment Jerry Blevins, the signing of Mike Moustakas is unlikely due to the loss of a draft pick and international bonus pool money, as well as his inability to play multiple positions.
On Moustakas, the GM says the loss of a draft choice and international bonus pool money could make it prohibitive. Also wants somebody who can play multiple positions.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) February 1, 2018
Lastly, Alderson noted that the next few weeks will be interesting as most teams are at 39 or 40 on the roster and as free agents sign, there will be players squeezed off the roster becoming available.
