Van Wags on verge of megadeal for Cano, Diaz Bruce, Swarzak, top prospects would go to M's
After days of rumblings and speculation, talks between the Mariners and Mets reached a crescendo Thursday on a blockbuster trade that would bring Robinson Cano and stud closer Edwin Diaz to Citi Field, allowing new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen to potentially strengthen his lineup and bullpen in one swoop. According to sources, the framework of a deal has been reached and a trade between the two teams could become official as soon as Friday. The Mets are prepared to send Jay Bruce and Anthony Swarzak to the Mariners with former first-round draft picks Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn and likely Gerson Bautista. Van Wagenen on Thursday began informing Mets players included in the deal to prepare for a possible trade. The Mariners had been speaking to several other teams (the Phillies, Braves and Red Sox among them) about variations of trades that include Cano and Diaz separately and as a package, but shifted course late Thursday and began focusing on the Mets. The 36-year-old Cano is still owed $120 million over the next five years, and it’s unclear how much of that will be assumed by the Mariners. The bigger prize from the Mets’ perspective is Diaz, an electric 24-year-old reliever who recorded 57 saves with a 1.96 ERA last season. Diaz won’t be eligible for free agency for another four years, only bolstering his value. Bruce is owed $29 million over the next two seasons, and the Mariners were recently removed from the list of teams to which he cannot be traded without his consent (he can reset the list each offseason in his contract). Swarzak is owed $8 million for next season. Jeff McNeil was previously penciled in as the Mets’ starting second base- man for next season. But Cano, despite declining range, is still viewed primarily as a second baseman after moving to the corners late last season, upon returning from an 80-game PED suspension. Cano finished with a .303/.374/.471 slash line with 10 homers and 50 RBIs in 80 games last season. McNeil would likely turn into a utiltityman, shuffling between second and third base, with Cano’s arrival.
Van Wagenen, a former agent, has a history with Cano, having negotiated the player’s 10-year contract worth $240 million as part of a joint venture between CAA and Roc Nation.
According to sources, the Mets view Cano as a player capable of bringing a jolt to the lineup over maybe the next two seasons, but are wary of what the final three years of his contract might resemble. Cano has a full no-trade in his contract, but he would almost certainly waive that clause for a return to New York after beginning his career with the Yankees. As of Thursday evening, Cano had not been asked to waive his no-trade, according to sources.
On a separate front, the Mets have continued trade talks involving Noah Syndergaard, according to sources, but are strugglingli to pinpoint a deal that would return players capable of helping the team win next season. There is some level of skepticism within the organization that the righthander will be dealt, but a source cautioned the Mets could continue talking with teams about Syndergaard beyond the upcoming Winter Meetings. The Padres, Reds, Brewers and Rockies are among the teams that have shown some level of interest in Syndergaard, who is under club control for the next three seasons.
The Mets signed Dilson Herrera to a minor league contract and invited him to major league spring training. Herrera was traded from the Mets to the Reds in a deal for Bruce in 2016.