UPDATE: According to reports, the current deal "on the table" between the Mets and Padres would send Dominic Smith to San Diego, and Eric Hosmer, Chris Paddack, Emilio Pagan, roughly $25-30 million in cash going to New York, the latter to soften the blow of Hosmer's contract.
SNY's Andy Martino reports that Hosmer, once traded to the Mets, could be flipped to the Cubs, but he would have to waive a clause in his contract that says he cannot be traded twice. New York already has Pete Alonso at first base, while Robinson Cano has recently worked out there as well.
After Jacob deGrom’s MRI revealed a stress reaction in his right scapula, sidelining him from throwing for at least four weeks, Mets general manager Billy Eppler told reporters that the team would not seek external reinforcements, instead relying on its depth to soften the blow.
But a new report by The Athletic suggests that New York could get some pitching help in the form of a trade that would involve Dominic Smith.
Per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Dennis Lin, the Mets have recently discussed a deal that would send Smith to the Padres for Dominic Smith and Eric Hosmer, who San Diego has been trying to unload since 2020.
Paddack burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2019, pitching to a 3.33 ERA in 140.2 innings at 23 years old. But injuries have stunted his development, as he posted a 4.73 ERA in 59 innings of work in 2020, and that inflated to 5.07 in 108.1 innings last season, when he allowed 115 hits while striking out 99 batters.
Hosmer, a 32-year-old veteran, has become an expendable piece for the Padres due to his massive contract, which still has four years and $59 million remaining. Of course, Steve Cohen could be the owner most willing to absorb such a deal if it meant upgrading the rotation in the wake of deGrom’s injury, but Hosmer hasn’t played anywhere but first base in his entire 11-year career, save for five appearances in the outfield, and the Mets have Pete Alonso at first, while working out Robinson Cano there as well.
Hosmer hit .269 last season with 12 home runs in 151 games. Meanwhile, Smith had a down year in 2021, though he recently revealed he was playing through injury, and many expect him to return to his productive 2020 form this season.
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