The Astros won seven out of nine games against a club in New York in a recently completed stretch. In a way, it was a good thing for the Mets and the Yankees.
This was a mid-season that reminded me of what the playoff pitching would be, so I recorded 16 runs for the Mets and the Yankees, and .139. So it was good that it wasn't a playoff. The Mets were swept in four games and the Yankees went down three games to two. And it's good to come well before the trading deadline of August 2nd, not just the playoffs. It became clearer that the Mets and the Yankees each needed to find a bat (or two).
Think about what the New York club did to the two best run prevention teams they faced in 2022. These are the Yankees Astros and Raises. Compared to .255/128 for all other games (all stats go on weekends), weighted runs created 62 pluses (38% below average). The Yankees pitching admits that it was 9-6 overall, especially 7-3 against Tampa Bay. The Mets hit .207 at 74wRC +, 2-6 against the Astros and Dodgers, compared to .262/114 otherwise.
Neither team can be overly dependent on internal solutions. There is a push for the Mets to summon top prospect Francisco Alvarez to at least DH. But philosophically, general manager Billy Eppler hesitates to call players directly from Double-A. Pennant race. The Yankees are likely to use Miguel Andujar or Estevan Florial, both of which have performed well in Triple A, to help find a trading partner forJoey Gallo.The chances of becoming the Yankees on August 3rd are small.
So where does the New York team find bats when they are also looking for multiple candidates?
Nationals GM Mike Rizzo hears his words that Juan Soto can't play, but it's true that last week there was talk of an attempt to further the star. It was a strange timing.
You can find executives who think pirates will trade with Bryan Reynolds and those who don't. They agree that the asking price is set so high that it is unlikely that a time-limited transaction will take place. The same is basically true for the Orioles Austin Hays and Cedric Mullins.
Another complex factor is that the playoffs have expanded from five to six in each league this year, at least with more teams to believe they are competing for. It is almost certain that valuable walk-ear bats will be traded against non-competitors.
The main candidates with strengths and weaknesses are:
1. Andrew Benintendi, Royals
He's a contact guy who can handle good pitching, but he's left-handed Mark Canha, that is, he'll do it with less power I'm saying.
2. Josh Bell, Nationals
You always feel like you want more from him, but switch hitters handle left-handed and right-handed well, He is a good two-stroke, so he limits strikeouts. batter. However, he lost an average of 3 mph when many teams were evaluating the ball hit more than ever. His teammate Nelson Cruz is the only DH to be depressed and turned 42 on July 1st after being traded to Rays last season.
3. Willson Contreras, Cubs
Team At times when detail is more important than ever, we sometimes express concern about injecting careless catchers into their ranks. But there is little doubt about his bat and fearlessness in the big spots. But if he suddenly turns into a batter, would he get an upset player worried that he's hurting his free agency? Teammate Ian Happ will be a free agent from next season onwards — the team is buying his significant strikeout savings.
4. Trey Mancini, Orioles
A professional batter, but he was too weak in 2022. The team may be more interested in switch hitter Anthony Santander. I have the skills, but I can't be a free agent until 2025.
5. Brandon Drury, Reds
He has had the best season and has the unquestionable power of diversity. But he also has some statistical inflation and has no track record of going home at the Great American Ball Park and making a difference. As one HR manager said, "If he's the next best batter you traded, that's good, but GM said the Braves had a limited fanfare and championship result last year, Adam Duvall, Joc. He pointed out that he added Pederson, Eddie Rosario, and Jorge Soler, saying: It's the right time. "
For that, I have another of the five batters under the radar. I wanted to make a list, but I think the team should contact us at least from now until August 2nd.
1. José Abreu, White Sox
Chicago has been confused (the difference in runs is actually worse than the Orioles). However, AL Central has not yet escaped from the White Sox. In addition, they are the winning team now. Abreu also shows loyalty to stay, and Jerry Reinsdorf is probably known as the most loyal owner. This can only happen if the White Sox is completely dropped, but still probably only with the idea of trading him and resigning as a free agent in the off-season. I think Abreu is a new cruz — a batter who has been playing for years with power and clutch streaks.
2. Ji-man Choi, Raise
Tampa Bay does not give up on the playoffs, but Raise enjoys comfortable walking and chewing gum at the same time. In baseball terminology: they are ready to trade from the Major League Baseball roster, especially if they find a way to compete, especially on the basis of future salaries and talents. Choi and Yandy Diaz are subject to arbitration, which could determine that the raise will be high in 2023, so why not buy your assets now? How many teams, like Benintendi, prefer Hee-seop Choi to play off at bat?
3. Garrett Cooper, Marlins
Miami is under pressure to win as many wins as possible this year, and the attacks are already lacking. However, Cooper is often injured. He is 31 years old He is a free agent from next season onwards. Whenever Miami maintains a victory, he is unlikely to be part of it. Every time I see Cooper, he has a great turn at bat, so I have a prejudice here. The team sees an average of .400 for the ball in play and considers the average of .321 to be unsustainable (Bell, Benintendi and Mancini may also be criticized). Miami would probably want to move Solar if he's willing to absorb two years with Jesús Aguilar, a free agent after this season, or the remaining $ 24 million after this season (Sollar will be on Friday). Returned to Illinois). I think Cooper can hit good pitches and will ask the same Choi vs Benintendi question at Cooper vs Bell.
4. CJ Cron, Rocky
Rocky does not They trade John Gray or Trevor Story last season's walk year, so with a reasonable $ 7.25 million debt next year, they're unlikely to give up on Cron. In particular, this organization tends to be isolated about maintaining their organization. A delusion about how close it is to winning. Cron has a dramatic homeload split. But his power is everywhere and he takes a good turn at bat.
5. Mitch Haniger, Mariners
Due to an ankle sprain, Haniger, who was frequently injured this season, has barely played and is not ready yet. His swing has holes that can be exploited, but it's real power. The playoffs are demonic because the lineup cannot include strikeout Albatross, but usually the team with the most home runs wins the series. Seattle hasn't entered the postseason since 2001. If you were to become a seller, you would have to wait up to 11 hours. It's like the Angels And Rangers, a fellow of the AL West. But in Julio Rodriguez, Kyle Lewis, and Jarred Kelenic (if he still has a belief), the Mariners could be future outfielders, and Haniger is in the year of his walk.