Mets Reportedly Open To Trading Former High Draft Pick Ahead Of Non-Tender Deadline

It sounds like the Mets could end up dealing one of their best relievers away
Mets Reportedly Open To Trading Former High Draft Pick Ahead Of Non-Tender Deadline
Mets Reportedly Open To Trading Former High Draft Pick Ahead Of Non-Tender Deadline /
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The New York Mets could make a trade or two in the not-so-distant future.

New York -- like many other Major League Baseball clubs -- has some tough decisions to make ahead of the league's non-tender deadline. The deadline is set to pass on Friday and clubs have to decide whether or not to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players. If a player is non-tendered, it means they were not given a contract and have the chance to enter free agency.

Clubs also can trade arbitration-eligible players ahead of the deadline rather than non-tendering them. One Mets player who reportedly could end up being traded ahead of the non-tender deadline is reliever Drew Smith, according to the New York Post's Mike Puma.

"Mets have been talking to teams potentially interested in Drew Smith ahead of tonight's deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players," Puma said. 

Smith was drafted in the third round 2015 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft by the Detroit Tigers but has spent his entire big league career with the Mets. He made his big league debut in 2018 and has developed into one of New York's dependable relievers. He has a career 3.53 ERA in 172 appearances and is projected to earn just over $2 million in 2024. 

He certainly still could end up staying with the Mets this season, but it's not surprising other teams have called about acquiring him. If the Mets can get a solid return, don't be surprised if they deal him away. If not, he likely will be back in New York next season.


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Patrick McAvoy
PATRICK MCAVOY

Patrick McAvoy's experiences include local and national sports coverage at the New England Sports Network with a focus on basketball and baseball.