Mets Trade Pitch Brings in $9.25 Million Outfielder to Fix Centerfield Disaster

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JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Salon, the L.A. Weekly and dozens of other publications and he has received numerous awards and honors including three New England Press Association awards.

In connection with his work, Vankin has made numerous media appearances on such networks as CNN, CNBC, FOX, the BBC and the CBC as well as hundreds of radio stations and podcasts.

Vankin in his wide-ranging career has also served as an editor of comic books and newspapers. He is the editor of the NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLING graphic novel GET JIRO! by the late, great Anthony Bourdain. He co-wrote the hit Off Broadway musical FOREVER DUSTY, and served as a sportswriter and editor at The Daily Yomiuri, the English-language edition of Japan's largest newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun, in Tokyo.

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After an unexpected dream season last year, when they advanced all the way to the National League Championship Series after winning 89 games, the New York Mets are off to a promising start, with victories in eight of their first 12 games. But the positive results have come in spite of a glaring problem at the crucial centerfield position.

The problem is, the Mets don't have one. So far, the Amazin's have split the duties between 31-year-old Tyron Taylor and 29-year-old Jose Siri. Heading into the Mets' three-game set starting Friday against the Athletics in West Sacramento, California, the centerfield duo have only five hits in 43 at-bats between them — for a combined price of $5.43 million in salary this season.

Mets outfielders try to avoid collision.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 16: Tyrone Taylor #15 of the New York Mets slides to make a catch while colliding with Starling Marte #6 in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers... Luke Hales/Getty Images

In a Thursday analysis, Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report proposed a solution to the Mets' centerfield issue, and it comes with a famous baseball name: Yastrzemski. Specifically, Mike Yastrzemski of the San Francisco Giants, grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, who played for the Boston Red Sox from 1961 to 1983.

In 1967, "Yaz" as he was known, won the American League Triple Crown — leading in batting average, RBIs and home runs — a feat that wasn't equaled until Miguel Cabrera topped all three categories in 2012.

In 1971, the Red Sox gave Yaz a three-year contract for $500,000, making him the highest paid player in baseball history at the time. In today's money, that contract would be worth about $3.9 million.

More MLB: Mets Could Be Fit For $50 Million Superstar Outfielder on Trade Block

His grandson Mike Yastrzemski is now completing a one-year, $9.25 million contract with the Giants and will be a free agent after this season, meaning the Giants can either trade him or — assuming Yastrzemski is not signed to an extension during the season — let him walk for no more than a compensatory draft pick.

Of course, based on their early results, the Giants may be in a position to "go for it," rather than trade away key players. After 12 games San Francisco is 9-3, one-half game behind the National League West-leading San Diego Padres.

If the Giants decide to deal Yastrzemski, however, the Mets could offer an outfield prospect in return. Carson Benge, currently playing for the High-A level Brooklyn Cyclones, was the Mets' first-round draft pick last year out of Oklahoma State.

"Benge had some of the best bat-to-ball skills in his Draft class and was able to make contact at a decent clip against virtually every pitch type," according to an MLB Pipeline scouting report. "His exit velocities were promising as well, and he was able to get that power to play to the opposite field."

He is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Mets' No. 3 prospect, and the 98th-ranked prospect in baseball. In his first 13 plate appearances for Brooklyn, Benge has three hits, three walks and four strikeouts.

More MLB: Bold Red Sox Trade Idea Solves Catching Woes by Reunion With World Series Champ

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About the writer

JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Salon, the L.A. Weekly and dozens of other publications and he has received numerous awards and honors including three New England Press Association awards.

In connection with his work, Vankin has made numerous media appearances on such networks as CNN, CNBC, FOX, the BBC and the CBC as well as hundreds of radio stations and podcasts.

Vankin in his wide-ranging career has also served as an editor of comic books and newspapers. He is the editor of the NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLING graphic novel GET JIRO! by the late, great Anthony Bourdain. He co-wrote the hit Off Broadway musical FOREVER DUSTY, and served as a sportswriter and editor at The Daily Yomiuri, the English-language edition of Japan's largest newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun, in Tokyo.

Writers Page

JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His ... Read more