The Mets have recently been linked to a pair of notable third basemen in potential trade talks, but SNY's MLB insider Andy Martino told Moose & Maggie on Friday that it is likely a matter of due diligence.
Kris Bryant and Matt Chapman have both been rumored to be potential trade targets for a Mets team looking to make significant upgrades in their first season under new ownership, but when it comes to Bryant, Martino doesn't see any kind of deal being imminent, even with the two teams having a recent history of communication.
"I was told in early January that it was long dead," Martino said. "So the reports of that got out, that the Mets and Cubs had talked about Bryant around the New Year, it was actually a lag, they had talked months before and there was nothing doing anymore. I found out yesterday that there have been more recent talks. I also heard that the Cubs really aren't that motivated to move him right now, whether that's posturing or facts, that's what the Cubs are saying behind the scenes."
Bryant seemed on the fast track to stardom after opening his MLB career with two straight All-Star appearances, a Rookie of the Year award in 2015 and a league MVP to go along with a World Series ring in 2016, but injuries and prolonged slumps have crept in recently. Bryant was held to a .644 OPS in 2020, well below his previous low mark of .834 in 2018. There was another All-Star appearance in between those two down years, and he could return to his 2019 form and provide a massive offensive boost for the Mets at the hot corner. So even though talks might not be heating up now, it could be setting the table for potential discussions later.
"It might just be the Mets calling and saying 'let's try and figure something out,' or even starting the season with J.D. Davis at third, but you've had talks with the Cubs, so if you get into the season and need to make a move, you can do it pretty quickly if you have the foundation for a package that you discussed," Martino said. "It could be some groundwork laying too."
The Mets also reportedly did their due diligence by reaching out to the A's about Chapman, arguably the best defensive third baseman in the American League who was also an All-Star in 2019. Chapman, 27, is eligible for arbitration next season and will make $6.49 million in 2021.
With the Mets having recent ties to Oakland in the form of Sandy Alderson, contact between the two clubs could also be nothing more than an obligatory check-in on Chapman's availability.
"It makes perfect sense that they would call," Martino said. "Sandy was with the A's just a couple months ago, he knows the organization well, and they tend to trade all their good players at some point. When I saw that, I was like 'absolutely, of course, it's a dereliction of duty if they don't call.' But I would say the same thing I said about Bryant. I honestly haven't looked so deep into what exactly it would take and what's Oakland looking to get, but I'm sure that call was made."
As it stands now, the Mets will enter the 2021 season with Davis at third, coming off a shortened season in 2020 where he slashed .247/.371/.389, but was much better in his last full season, when he slashed .307/.369/.527 in 2019.
"Third base has never been a top priority for the Mets this offseason," Martino said. "But J.D. Davis is also not established enough where you wouldn't get a third baseman if an opportunity came along."
Listen to Martino's full interview with Moose & Maggie below!
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