Drew to Mets, Daniel Murphy to Sox–DEAL?
By Earl Nash
This is how Stephen Drew goes to New York to play for the Mets and the Red Sox get Daniel Murphy in a trade. Would you make this deal?
New York GM, Sandy Alderson’s current SS is Ruben Tejada, who has a decent glove, but no bat: 2013 BA .202. Or, Wilfredo Tovar, 22, BA .200.
He is watching the SS pool of FAs shrink and his box office rival, the Yankees, might be satisfied with Brendan Ryan as their caddy for “Derelict” Jeter at SS, but Jon Morosi and Ken Rosenthal say that the Yankees have made an offer to the #1 FA SS Stephen Drew.
Alderson has heard the Drew wants a Peralta-like deal [4-year, $53M], so he would need to clear some salary room in his budget.
Even the experts have made that calculation:
Adam RubinVerified account @AdamRubinESPN
Alderson acknowledged Mets won’t add another free agent of Stephen Drew caliber/price tag unless a contract is subtracted from payroll.
At least one rival team has been already been told #Mets willing to move Daniel Murphy this week.
The good news for Alderson is that signing Drew will only need to give the Red Sox his #52 slot in the June Draft.
2013 Stats with Boston Red Sox
G
BA
OBP
SLG
HR
SB
fWAR
124.253.333.4431363.4
Alderson reads an item on HARDBALL TALK and is amused:
“Speaking to the media earlier today, Mets GM Sandy Alderson said he expects to start the 2014 season with Ruben Tejada at shortstop, tweets Jorge Castillo of the Star-Ledger.”
Running the numbers Alderson figures he will need to clear about $12.5 to $15M per year to make a successful offer to Drew.
His best trade chip is Daniel Murphy, 23, a career .290 hitter, who can play every position, except C, CF, and SS.
"Maybe he could trade Murphy to the Red Sox for his #52 Draft slot?"
Murphy would save the Mets $5.8, leaving Alderson $7-8M short of his goal.
- Daniel Murphy (4.109): $5.8MM
- Ike Davis (3.155): $3.5MM
- Dillon Gee (3.028): $3.4MM
- Bobby Parnell (4.132): $3.2MM
- Eric Young, Jr. (3.123): $1.9MM
- Lucas Duda (2.132, Super Two): $1.8MM
He could try to move Ike Davis, who has shown power potential, but is caught in the Mets’ malaise and that would give him a total savings of $9.3M, now about $3-4M short.
If he can unload a pitcher like Dillon Gee [$3.4M] or Bobby Parnell [$3.2M], he will be in the ballpark his telethon total: $12.5 to $15M.
In addition to matching the dollars with competing offers, Alderson has New York City to sell as a media hub that offers the Mets’ players publicity and opportunities for lucrative endorsements.
"Alderson signs Drew to a 4-year $60M contract."
Alderson notices this item on MLB TRADE RUMORS:
If the Red Sox are intent on adding a shortstop or third baseman as well as a right-handed hitting outfielder, they’ll need to free up room by moving someone off their bench, tweets Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald.”
"[RECALL Daniel Murphy can play Third base and Corner OF.]http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/murphda08.shtml"
He calls Cherington and offers Daniel Murphy to the Red Sox for the Draft slot he loses by signing Drew and a pitching prospect.
Cherington, wanting to open up a roster slot,, dump some salary dollars and keep his prospects, counters with Dempster and the #52 Draft slot for Daniel Murphy.
"WOULD YOU MAKE THIS TRADE?"
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