The Mets right now are on a bit of a hot streak. They’ve been playing the better part of a month well and have closed quite a bit of ground, at least in the rate they were losing it, to get to .500. A lot of that has come on the back of Marlon Byrd (after you factor out the rotation, which has been the real reason of success lately).
After two weeks of starting the season hot, the Mets offense cooled off considerably in Minnesota (also quite literally after that Minnesota series as well, it snowed). Outside of Captain America, Byrd has been one of the most consistent hitters on the offensive side of the bar clearly leading the way for best minor league signing of the year for the Mets and possibly in the league.
At the All-Star break, Byrd is batting .271 with .818 OPS and 15 homers. 32 of his 75 hits have been for extra bases.
This is the time to trade Byrd because his value isn’t going any higher.
Ultimately the Mets could keep him, and get a draft pick when he signs with another team (if he is considered that high). Or the Mets could keep him, but after the year he is having he could command a much larger deal, and I would rather risk a more hefty contract financially on a 37 year old Beltran than a 35 year old Byrd.
It is true that our weak area is the OF. Right now Eric Young is the bright spot and Duda could be one too if healthy. However, with the amount of OF’s on the market next year, it seems more wise to get a good or mid level prospect for Byrd and invest this off season in 1-2 other OF’s that would meet the Mets needs defensively, as a power hitter and possibly as lead off (if we decide to not stick with Young, by the way you heard Choo is a free agent this winter, right?)
Sandy hasn’t said much on this issue besides (paraphrase) “We’re not trading Byrd” which I really don’t know how to take if he is serious or driving up the market. This could also be more of my wishes interfering with my interpretation of reality.
Outside of dignity to be playing near .500 ball for the rest of the year, something I personally feel the Mets can do without Byrd, I just don’t see the point of carrying him till the end. Of course, with that being said, if we really won’t get anything in return for Byrd, then obviously we should keep him.
