Mets talk possible trade involving J.P. Arencibia with Blue Jays

by on Dec 02, 2012 09:40 pm in Free-Agent Tracker, New York Mets

Earlier in the week, a source aware of the organization’s planning told Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, the New York Mets would enter the winter meetings under the assumption that the bulk of their winter additions would come via free agency. Meanwhile, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports recently reported, NY general manager Sandy Alderson has talked to the Toronto Blue Jays about a possible deal for catcher J.P Arencibia.  According to Rosenthal:

“The Jays previously have talked about [Arencibia]  in trades for pitchers such as Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Wade Davis and New York Mets left-hander Jon Niese, major-league sources say.

The Jays might need to offer more than Arencibia to acquire such a pitcher, but aren’t necessarily eager to make that type of move. Arencibia is still a year away from arbitration, and the Jays control him for four more years.”

In 102 games for Toronto last season, the former first round selection (21st overall in 2007) hit 18 homeruns, while batting .233 with a .275 on base percentage.  Though his batting average would only make Jason Bay jealous, the 26-year-old backstop has belted 41 homeruns over his first two full seasons in the Majors, spanning 231 games and 790 at-bats:

In my opinion, Arencibia would be a great pick-up for the Mets this offseason. And, he would go a long way towards solidifying their needs at the catcher position. Especially when you factor his age (27 year-old on opening day) and the fact he is under team control for the next four years. That said, I do not want to see the Mets deal Niese for him. As Rosenthal mentions, the Jays know they would have to add more to that package to land the left-hander from the Mets, but– as it has been mentioned to me on Twitter — I would much rather see NY work a deal around Dillon Gee for the 26-year-old backstop.

 

*NOTE-


My list of righty-hitting catchers: Rod Barajas, Henry Blanco, Dioner Navarro (s), Miguel Olivo, Kelly Shoppach, Chris Snyder, Matt Treanor.
November 29, 2012 3:05 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite
@AdamRubinESPN
Adam Rubin


Add Geovany Soto to the list of righty-hitting, free-agent catchers. Non-tendered by Rangers.
December 1, 2012 9:03 am via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite
@AdamRubinESPN
Adam Rubin

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  • DaMetsman in Washington State

    Seems to this observer that Arencibia is one of the two better choices for a platoon with Thole (or even to pick up the regular job). The other is Martin Maldonado of the Brewers. With plenty of journeymen backstops out there, trading a starting MLB-quality pitcher is complete madness. No way Dickey or even Gee is going in a package for either one of these guys, but there are a host of decent prospects we can put in a package. Otherwise, just see what develops from the crop of free agents, now expanded considerably by the non-tenders. What the Mets need most is a lead-off hitter, which has to be an outfielder. Could the Mets pry the switch-hitting Dexter Fowler from the Rockies for a package of prospects? Perhaps Familia and one lefty CF—Den Dekker or Ceciliani—or one corner righty OF— Puello or Lagares? The Rocks have also had their eye on Justin Turner for a while. Marty Maldonado might be available for a package of Duda and one of the only two decent catching prospects the Mets have—Kevin Plawicki or Juan Centeno. Wouldn’t it be nice to pick up Aoki for any of the three OF spots by throwing in Nieuwenhuis and a decent arm? Gee would be worth a player like Aoki, who has remarkable baseball skills and versatility. Resigning Hairston would provide some right-handed power and a platoon with Baxter in LF. Another low-cost option should be Reed Johnson, who can play all the OF slots with aplomb and get base hits.