Mets Fans Roast Amazin’s Over David Robertson Trade
New York Mets fans are an hornery group.
The Mets traded closer David Robertson in-division, to the Miami Marlins for a pair of 18-year old prospects, and Mets fans are up in arms. Not so much over the fact the ballclub has essentially waived the white flag on the season, but more so on the return for Robertson.
Coming back in the deal are the Marlins No. 18 prospect, infielder Marco Vargas, and No. 21 prospect, catcher Ronald Hernandez. Both are now ranked sixth and 18th in the Mets farm system respectively.
?s=20Marco Vargas will be slotted in as the #Mets No. 6 prospect. Ronald Hernandez will be No. 18. #LGM
— WardyNYM (@TheWardyNYM) July 28, 2023
(Via: @SamDykstraMiLB)
The takes from both Mets fans and pundits alike were both bewilderment and anger.
Billy Eppler was only to get one top 20 prospect from the Marlins system in exchange for the best closer on the market. Instead of charging a division rival more, he gave away David Robertson. I truly hate this man.
— The Draftnik (@draftniks) July 28, 2023
Yes, trading the best reliever available for a catcher & infielder that are years away from the majors to a division rival is clearly what’s best for the Mets.🙄The Mets have many needs but pitching is probably their biggest need, not another catcher.
— Jeffrey Neuhauser (@jhn1987) July 28, 2023
David Robertson reacts to his trade: pic.twitter.com/eM7tKoBJvf
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) July 28, 2023
Can’t think of a harder fanbase to sell 18 year old prospects years away from the big leagues on than Mets fans.
— Wayne Randazzo (@WayneRandazzo) July 28, 2023
Examining the prospects
While fans might be frustrated, according to many, Vargas might be the real deal. While he is only 18, he is hitting .283 in Rookie ball, and is a career .305 hitter in the minors up to this point. He might be on a fast track to the majors.
Ronald Hernandez might be a tougher sell. The 19-year old is a catcher coming to an organization that is loaded at the position. In addition to Francisco Alvarez who is enjoying a breakout rookie year in the Majors, the Mets top prospect in the minors right now is Kevin Parada, who is High-A Brooklyn right now.
Marco Vargas is the biggest piece coming back to the Mets in the Robertson trade. Looks like he’s got a really nice left handed swing 👀 pic.twitter.com/sbAAF4iAMv
— Marc Luino (@GiraffeNeckMarc) July 28, 2023
A scout familiar with the 2 Marlins prospects: “Both have high-ceiling potential, tools and makeup, but at their level you’re talking about a ton of projection. I can see why the scout in Billy (Eppler) would make the trade. But as a GM in New York it’s going to be a tough sell.”
— John Harper (@NYNJHarper) July 28, 2023
The Robertson Era in New York
Robertson, who will be on his seventh Major League team when he joins the Marlins this weekend, was 4-2 with a 2.05 ERA in 40 games with the Mets this season. He earned 14 saves on the year. To be fair Robertson was put in a very difficult position to try to close down games after closer Edwin Diaz went down with an ACL injury in the World Baseball Classic back in March.
The Mets had hoped that Robertson would be a bridge to Diaz in the eighth inning this season, creating a stellar one-two punch.
The trade signals the Mets are willing and able to sell off. In fact there are rumors that the Mets could be in line to trade Justin Verlander to Texas.
