SerpApi.Org
The New York Mets and Chicago Cubs hooked up for a June trade which swapped David Peterson for oft-injured corner infield prospect Cole Mathis. The two clubs are a good match to make another deal before August 3 when the bell rings and rosters are as finalized as they can be without the waiver wire, minor league promotions, or random free agent signings from the scrap heap.
Pitching should be a trade deadline priority for the Cubs. Both starters and relievers, their hunt should have them searching all over for any arm they can find. Having already completed one deal with the Mets, they should do like the Baltimore Orioles did last summer and strike another. This time, we’re accelerating the search to replace Mark Vientos.
Currently injured but very much out of next season’s plans, this Mets-Cubs swap would find an immediate option at first base for the Mets.
Why this trade works for the Mets and Cubs
We’ll be nice and even allow the Cubs, if they so feel, to choose Brooks Raley instead. It doesn’t matter much which left-handed Mets reliever they would prefer. The return shouldn’t be all that much different. Minter has a higher salary. A 2.02 ERA for Raley and 1.80 for Minter, you can dive into an assortment of stats and history to justify choosing one over the other. Don’t overthink it, Jed Hoyer.
In return, the Mets pick up Jonathon Long. The 9th round pick from 2023 for the Cubs now has over 1,000 Triple-A plate appearances under his belt. Slashing .295/.387/.467 with 31 home runs and 150 RBI, the right-handed first baseman is ideal for what the Mets are missing.
Already 24 and not exactly a kid, this is his second straight year toiling away in the minors. The Cubs have Michael Busch at first base, posting satisfying enough numbers. Under team control for a few more years while being cheap and proven at the MLB-level, there really isn’t much of a role for Long other than for someone to change positions.
Busch isn’t going back to third base with Alex Bregman around. Long has gotten some left field reps. For an opportunity to punch up their bullpen, he’s a worthy sacrifice by Chicago.
Ranked as the sixth best Cubs prospect according to MLB Pipeline, the Cubs have multiple position players (and outfielders) ahead of him. His path to major league playing time has been stunned for two straight seasons. Something has to give.
The Cubs are one of the surer teams to make a run into the postseason with the biggest battle being a chance to earn the top Wild Card spot. Minter can help them accomplish this.
Chicago is also a match for Freddy Peralta as well as Clay Holmes in the rotation. In the bullpen, their best target would probably be Luke Weaver who could become their closer.
There are trades to formulate for those players. However, it’s Long with Minter (or even Raley) that line up well. First base isn’t a premium position and yet it’s one the Mets have failed to master this year. When you have a chance to win a championship, you make moves like this one. The lovable loser thing is so outdated. The Cubs need bullpen upgrades and this one is reasonable while giving the Mets something they’re missing.
Today's best reads
- Cubs roster cut just made them an even better fit for these NY Mets trade candidates
- ESPN gave us a reason to love the NY Mets-Cubs trade for David Peterson even more
- 7 NY Mets players who must be traded this summer, another 6 they should keep
- Don't expect Cubs to trade the NY Mets the brother of their first-round draft pick
- NY Mets rumors: Pirates rejected a unique Brooks Raley trade, this team shouldn’t
This article was originally published on risingapple.com as A NY Mets-Cubs trade that immediately seals Mark Vientos’ fate.
