Who knows what to make of the rumors coming out of New York this offseason. There have been some very high profile whiffs, but also some major moves, given the arrival of new ownership. That is to say, it’s hard to dismiss any reports out of hand, but it’s also hard to be sure something from even a credible media outlet is legit legit.
So, here’s something from a sports radio station in New York:
.@EvanRobertsWFAN and I have been told that the @Mets have talked to the Oakland A's about acquiring 3rd Baseman Matt Chapman
— Craig Carton (@craigcartonlive) February 11, 2021
On the one hand, there’s some sense here, given the A’s persistent interest in trading their top players as they become expensive – it’s an annual method of restocking, and Chapman is kicking off his pricey arbitration years. And on that same hand, the Mets are known to be aggressively pursuing a third base upgrade (hence the Kris Bryant rumors).
But boy, Chapman would be absurdly expensive in trade. You get three years of control on a guy whose bat and defense put him in plausible MVP conversations if he next levels just a little bit. He’s an absolute stud, underdiscussed only because he’s been in Oakland. Are the Mets really going to completely raid their farm system for Chapman? Seems like a shorter-term, less-prospect-costy move would make more sense (again, hence Bryant rumors, or Justin Turner in free agency).
Any chance this leak is just to force someone’s hand? Or that the Bryant rumors were designed to spur the A’s along? Or that this is just bogus trolling from a New York media that knows all eyes are on them? Or that everything is bogus and nothing has meaning and all is void?