Wheelin' & Dealin'

The New York Mets: Buns Up Kneelin'?

(Valley Cottage, August 3, 1998) There's got to be something else up the sleeve of Mets GM Steve Phillips. When the team's only real strength was its starting rotation, he traded for another starting pitcher. Their biggest problem since the All-Star break being one too many catchers, he traded for another. What's up, Steve? Let's take a closer look at the Mets' latest transactions:

The Deal:

Mets send outfielder Bernard Gilkey, minor league pitcher Nelson Figueroa and cash to Arizona Diamondbacks for pitcher Willie Blair, catcher Jorge Fabregas, and a player to be named later.

Analysis:

Gilkey had become the most disappointing Met and the odd man out in the outfield. In 82 games as a Met this season, Gilkey hit .227 with only four home runs and 28 RBIs. Blair was 4-15 with a 5.34 ERA in 23 starts for Arizona. He's 45-64 lifetime and had his best season in 1997, going 16-8 with a 4.17 ERA for the Tigers.

This deal is just an exchange of underachieving players with big contracts. The Mets had tired of waiting for Gilkey to come along and Arizona had a highly-paid free-agent pitcher in danger of losing 20 games. Both New York and Arizona now have some fresh new bums to boo. The Mets simply do not need another starting pitcher. They tell us that Blair will go back to relief pitching, but there are rumors that he's just trade bait for another deal -- anyone want a 20-game loser? And Fabregas? Why do the Mets need another catcher? Especially one who we're told was acquired because of his offensive prowess, but is hitting only .199 with one home run in 50 games?

This is just a dumb deal. We wonder if the acquisition of a catcher means that Phillips does not think he'll sign Piazza, preparing for the future with Todd Hundley back behind the plate and Fabregas as his back-up.

The Deal:

Mets send minor league pitcher Leoncio Estrella to the Toronto Blue Jays for veteran outfielder Tony Phillips.

Analysis:

The Mets gave up little to acquire a player that can help them a lot in this trade. Phillips may be 39 years old and a head case besides, but he's been a good major league hitter for 16 years, knows how to get on base and will be a great addition for the wildcard stretch drive. The Mets will score more runs because of Tony's arrival -- he'll give Alfonzo, Olerud, Piazza and McRae someone to drive in.

This is a deal of short-term benefit to the Mets. They will not be building future teams around Tony Phillips. This is not the answer to their leadoff woes.

The Deal:

Mets send pitcher Bill Pulsipher to the Milwaukee Brewers for minor league infielder Mike Kinkade.

Analaysis:

At one time, Pulsipher, along with Paul Wilson and Jason Isringhausen, were being lauded as the second coming of Seaver, Kossman and Matlack. But now Pulsipher is a Brewer, and Izzy and Wilson struggle to make it back to the major leagues.

Pulsipher is still only 24 years old, and although he struggled this year in limited action at the major league level, had some success earlier this year at AAA Norfolk (7-5, with a 3.96 ERA in 14 games). Kinkade, however, is a good prospect of the offensive variety, and the Mets might as well start somewhere towards improving their offense in future years. At AAA Louisville, Kinkade, 25, was hitting .319 (89-287) with 57 runs scored, 24 doubles, six triples, seven home runs, 46 RBI and 10 stolen bases. A genuine prospect in the Mets organization -- holy cow!

Final Conclusion:

Steve Phillips talked about landing impact players like Robin Ventura and Mo Vaughn, but wound up with Willie Blair and Tony Phillips. These trades are not enough to help the Mets in this year's wildcard drive and won't make a big difference in the Mets future. We still think of Steve Phillips as the guy who brought us Mel Rojas. We hope he'll be the guy to sign Mike Piazza.