Report: Mets Will Have To Be 'Blown Away' To Part With Byrd, Parnell
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- With the Mets headed toward a playoff-less season for the seventh consecutive year, there has been much speculation that the club might be inclined to trade some of its players for pieces who can help the team in the future.
Don't count on it.
The most attractive pieces to other teams -- those who the Mets would realistically part with -- are right fielder Marlon Byrd and closer Bobby Parnell.
But general manager Sandy Alderson would have to be "blown away" by an offer to part with Byrd or Parnell, sources told the New York Post.
Byrd has exceeded all expectations for the Mets this season, and he could be a strong pickup for a club looking to acquire a right-handed power bat. He signed a minor-league deal with the Amazin's on February 1 and has emerged as their everyday cleanup hitter, batting .280 with 17 home runs, 60 RBIs and 17 doubles.
He'll become a free agent after the season.
"If something presented itself we would consider it," a Mets official told the newspaper in regard to Byrd. "But we haven't been presented with anything. We're just sitting tight."
According to the official, the Mets aren't working the phones to try to make something happen. Instead, they're sitting tight and waiting for the right offer to come their way.
"We're not motivated to move anybody," the official continued. "It's hard to go to people, they have to come to you. It's better to be asked to the prom than have to ask somebody."
And contending clubs could always use another reliever, which is where Parnell comes in. In his first season as a full-time closer, the 28-year-old fireballer has pitched to a 2.20 ERA and converted 21 of 25 save opportunities. He has also struck out 44 and walked 11.
"We're in a really good spot," the official told the New York Post. "Unless you're going to be knocked over, you don't make a trade. You have A, B and C prospects. If you are going to get a 'C' prospect for somebody, what does it really do?"
New York is 6-6 since the All-Star break. New York took two of three from the Phillies, split a four-game series with the Braves, lost three of four to the Nationals and won the series opener over the Marlins on Monday.
The Mets are 12 1/2 games out of first place in the National League East and 10 games behind the Reds for the second wild-card berth.
The non-waiver trade deadline is Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. ET.
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