FOX Sports' MLB analyst Ken Rosenthal believes the time is now for the New York Mets to go "all-in" to find a shortstop, even suggesting that the Mets send second baseman Daniel Murphy to the Washington Nationals as part of a trade package for shortstop Ian Desmond.
In Rosenthal's, while the Mets' financial issues are well known, New York has no excuses for suggesting this trade to the Nats - especially after Washington already targeted Murphy last July:
The restrictions on the Mets' finances are obvious to anyone who follows the sport, but it's absurd that their 2015 payroll likely will be lower than those of some low-revenue clubs. Many of their fans are frustrated, and rightly so. The team seemingly is on the verge of contention, but its only major offseason acquisition was free-agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer, and shortstop remains something of a black hole.
The Mets would not suffer much financially in '15 if they exchanged Murphy's projected $8.3 million salary in arbitration for Desmond's $11 million guarantee. They also are trying to trade right-hander Dillon Gee, who is projected to earn $5.1 million — and such a trade could even put them ahead financially short-term.
Desmond is an unrestricted free agent after the 2015 season as well, so if the trade or the season doesn't go as planned, the Mets could even dangle Desmond to contenders looking to upgrade at short with an expiring contract.
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