The Mets were quiet as Wednesday's trade deadline came and went, but that was only after they attempted to make a shocking move with their crosstown rivals, according to one report.
General manager Brodie Van Wagenen acquired Marcus Stroman in a deal with the Blue Jays on Sunday. Stroman had also been linked with a move to the Yankees, but the Long Island native ended up in Queens, at least initially.
The New York Times' Bob Klapisch claims the Mets were willing to then send Stroman to the Bronx in exchange for a couple high-value prospects.
Among dead-ends #Yankees ran into was deal with #Mets, who I'm told were ready to flip Stroman to the Bronx in exchange for Estevan Florial and Deivi Garcia, among others. #Yankees said no.
— Bob Klapisch (@BobKlap) July 31, 2019The Yankees are the ones who said no to what would have been a stunning transaction. Both Estevan Florial and Deivi Garcia are considered to be potential stars of the future, and Brian Cashman clearly wasn't willing to part with them here, despite his team's need for a starting pitcher.
There was some concern about Stroman's reaction to the trade in Toronto. Stroman made a "commotion" in an exit meeting with the Blue Jays, and his dad spoke about how he had wanted to be traded to the Yankees. But the 28-year-old said all the right things in his introductory conference call, and there didn't seem to be any major issues, even if he hadn't been traded to the borough of his choice.
Vag Wagenen spoke about Stroman during the press conference he gave after the deadline had officially passed.
"We felt like we had an opportunity to add one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, a guy who has Long Island and New York roots, a player who thrives in big moments and craves the competition … the opportunity to bring Marcus in here, we feel like, builds upon what we already had … and hopefully will now give us one of the best rotations in all of baseball."
The Mets' GM later denied the report when he joined Mike Francesa on WFAN.
Stroman took to Twitter on Wednesday to reiterate how excited he is to be joining the Mets' rotation.
"Crazy excited to join this Mets starting rotation. They're already extremely dangerous. Can't wait to add to that!"
