New York Mets: Ranking Their 10 Most Tradable Arms

The New York Mets have a history of great pitchers.

From Dwight Gooden and Tom Seaver to David Cone and Pedro Martinez, the Mets have seen many solid arms come and go in 50 years. Just as they are accustomed to having good arms in their rotations, they are equally inclined to trading good arms from their roster.

Whether they are looking to upgrade their offense with a big bat or building their farm system for years to come, they have been known to deal arms to other teams in the past. If this current roster of the New York Mets is out of contention in July, that is a possibility.

However, they don't have to be a losing team to strike a deal. If they are in contention, Mets GM Sandy Alderson may be tempted to trade off one of their stud arms to get a big bat to boost the offense for a playoff push for one of the two wild-card spots or even a run at the division title.

Both cases are a possible scenario. One other option, of course, would be to hold on to the pitchers they currently have and roll the dice for the season and beyond with the cards they have been dealt. For the sake of argument, let's suppose they explore the other options first.

If you were to take every pitcher at every level in the Mets system and throw their names onto the trading block, these would most likely be the top ten to look into trading first.

The following are according to value they could bring to another organization and the value they could bring back to the Mets.

No. 10: Josh Edgin

Josh Edgin

Height: 6'1" 

Weight: 225 lbs

Last Pitched: St Lucie Mets (A+)

Josh Edgin was originally drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2009, but they didn't sign him and he was drafted a year later by the Mets in the 30th round. In his two seasons thus far, he has pitched in 69 games. All relief appearances.

His most recent stint was with the St. Lucie Mets where he posted a 2.06 ERA and had 11 saves. A young lefty that is reminiscent of a Billy Wagner type. He throws a mid-90s fastball with a high 80s slider.

The difference in speeds and movement help him get a lot of strikeouts so far in his young career. He has 122 K's in 100.2 innings. According to ESPN, he is working on a curveball that would be able to compliment his other pitches. 

Trade Potential: Straight up, in the right situation, he could bring back a veteran bench player or an older minor league player, but in a package deal, perhaps a complementary piece for a big-name big bat or ace pitcher.

No. 9: Alex Panteliodis

Alex Panteliodis

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 235 lbs

Last Pitched: University of Florida

After a stellar career at UFA, Alex Panteliodis was drafted by the Mets in the ninth round last June. He is expected to start his Mets career this season in Kingsport or Savannah. The hard-throwing left-hander has great upside. His fastball is in the mid-90s, while his change-up can buckle a hitter's knees.

He's still considered a raw talent but can throw his fastball in the mid-90s. Since he has yet to throw a pitch in the minors, the Mets really don't know what they have in him and the rest of the league doesn't either. At this point, that makes him even more enticing to opposing teams.

He can be seen as the moldable type that can handle big stages and big moments. The pressure of being the ace pitcher on the No. 1 ranked Florida Gators had made him ready for the pressures he might face in the minor leagues. 

Trade deal: He could be an additional piece for a major package right now, or the Mets could get a draft pick or a lower-leveled minor league player for him straight up.

No. 8: Juan Urbina

Juan Urbina

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 170 lbs

Last Pitched: Kingsport Mets

The not-so famous son of former MLB pitcher Ugueth Urbina, Juan Urbina is looking to make his own mark on the major leagues. The Mets signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2009, and he has spent the past two seasons working his way up the ranks.

After striking out 38 batters in 2010 in just 11 games, he was promoted to the next level last season where he continued his dominance in strikeouts. In 12 starts, he had 49 K's. The issue so far has been hits per nine innings and home run ratio. In those 12 starts, he gave up nine home runs and 68 hits.

This points to him not locating properly within the strike zone. Even hitters at the lowest levels can hit bad pitches in the strike zone. He needs to work on control to go with his blazing fastball, dominant changeup and good sinker. At the age of 16 in 2009, he was able to reach 91 mph on his fastball.

At this point, he has developed his arm like a son of a former major league pitcher normally would. He has massive upside, and his mechanics are solid. Many teams would be interested if the Mets were to offer him.

Trade Deal: The Mets could get a mid-level minor league player or a high draft pick straight up. In a package deal, they would have to offer him as a complementary piece to land a sizable catch.

No. 7: Domingo Tapia

Domingo Tapia

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 190 lbs

Last Pitched: Kingsport Mets (11 starts)/ Brooklyn Cyclones (1 game)

Domingo Tapia has an electric arm that tops out in the upper 90s on his fastball. He has an above-average changeup to counter the velocity.

Of the three younger studs in the Mets lower minor league system (Juan Urbina, Akeel Morris and Tapia), he's considered to have the most velocity at this point, and perhaps, the highest upside right now.

While posting a low AVG against lefties (.242), he has not reached the strikeout projections they hoped thus far. He has just 30 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched last season in Kingsport.

He's slated to start in Savannah and still could be a few years away from Queens. This makes him a perfect candidate for potential prospect of trade value.

A team that's looking to unload an old bat would gladly exchange such a player for a young prospect who can hit near 100 mph on the gun, and is so young, he can be molded into what the new team wants. 

Trade Deal: The Mets would be able to deal him to an interested team for a player at the mid-minor league level straight up. Perhaps, even a veteran bench player who has bounced back and forth from the majors to the minors.

In a package, he would be an enticing addition to raise the value of the return player. A package that includes him could get a big bat and a draft pick at the least.

No. 6: Akeel Morris

Akeel Morris

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 170 lbs

Last Pitched: Kingsport Mets

Akeel Morris is one of the highly touted younger pitchers in the Mets system.

He was drafted in the 10th round of the 2010 draft. Morris spent last season, his second year, in Kingsport trying to develop his breaking pitches.

He's still years away from being ready but has already hit mid-90s on his fastball. That has translated into a nice mixture for strikeouts. He fanned 61 batters in 51 innings in 11 games. Furthermore, he posted a 3,86 ERA in those 11 starts.

His .069 ground ball ratio is strong, and he had one complete game performance this past season. He has shown power and endurance at the lower level. He should be projected to start in Savannah next season. 

With that said, the hard-throwing, right-hander still has a lot of potential to develop into a strong pitcher for a major league team. 

Trade Deal: The Mets would get a lot of interest in Morris as he is one of their most known, lower-level prospects across the league. They could get a high draft pick or a high minor league prospect straight up. In a package, it's possible to get a good major league caliber bat when Morris is pat of the deal.

No. 5: Jeurys Familia

Jeurys Familia

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 190 lbs

Last Pitched: Binghamton Mets

The Mets have four top-level caliber pitching prospects still in the minors.

They are Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Jenrry Mejia and Jeurys Familia. Of the four, Familia has the biggest question mark in his transition.

The Mets acquired him in 2007 as an undrafted free agent. He has a high 90s fastball that complements a solid slider. He has shown the endurance in the minors to be a starter. He posted 124 innings in 23 starts last season between St. Lucie and Binghamton.

He has shown the ability to get strikeouts as well. His 132 Ks in those 124 innings were marked with an adjustment period between the two teams. His ERA went from 1.49 in St Lucie to 3.49 in Binghamton.

That adjustment had a lot to do with more innings pitched. That led to more walks and more hits, therefore more runs allowed. This struggle has led many to speculate whether he would be better as a reliever due to his velocity.

He is projected to start the season in either Binghamton or the Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo with a possible call-up to the Mets in September. He has been invited to spring training with the Mets so there is a possibility that he beats someone out for a job and breaks camp heading for Queens.

With that said, he has a high upside being so close to the majors at this point.

Trade Deal: For a player at his level with his potential, the Mets could make him a center piece of a deal that gains them a few lower-level prospects straight up.

In a package, he, combined with one other top prospect or a major league player, could get the Mets a big bat or ace pitcher for the short-term.

No. 4: R.A. Dickey

R.A. Dickey

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 220 lbs

Last Pitched: New York Mets

Of all the Mets starters the last two seasons, Dickey was arguably the most consistent. Last year, he posted a 3.28 ERA in 208 innings pitched. He also had 134 strikeouts to go with just 54 walks in that span.

His record was far less impressive due to a mediocre bullpen that was unable to hold many a lead. He was a hard luck 8-13 in 2011.

The season before, he rose from the minor league ranks to make 26 starts and post an 11-9 record with a 2.84 ERA. It was that season that earned him the two-year contract he now enters the second half of this coming season.

He has reinvented himself on the strength of a knuckleball. His veteran presence and consistent endurance has made him a mainstay in the Mets rotation for the past two years and will do so again in 2012.

This is enticing for a contending team to consider. If one that needs a starting pitcher comes calling for his his consistency, the Mets will have to answer. Particularly if they are struggling this season, as many project them to do. 

Trade Deal: R.A. Dickey could be in demand come July. The Mets could get a top prospect from someone for a half season rental, much like they did last season with Carlos Beltran.

He may be able to get a high-end prospect straight up if the team is as desperate as the Giants were last July. If not, it may require a package deal to get the best value in exchange for Dickey.

No. 3: Matt Harvey

Matt Harvey

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 210 lbs

Last Pitched: Binghamton Mets

The Mets drafted Matt Harvey in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2010 draft. With that kind of draft placing, he comes highly touted. He has a mid-90s fastball to go with a hard slider, a curveball and a change-up. All are already quality pitches who just need some honing.

In his first full season in the minors, he totaled 156 strikeouts and 47 walks in 135.2 innings pitched. This between St. Lucie (Double-A) and Binghamton (Triple-A). This is a pitcher so highly ranked that, in his first season, he went right into the mid-level affiliation and was promoted halfway through the season to the highest minor league level.

It's with that in mind that the drop-off in production between the two levels is so important. In St. Lucie, he posted a 2.37 ERA in 14 games and totaled 92 strikeouts in that span. After his promotion, he struggled to adjust as rapidly.

At the Triple-A level, he posted a 4.53 ERA in 12 starts. He did have 64 strikeouts in nearly 60 innings pitched at that level. It may be due to that ability to make batters miss that the Mets invited him to spring training this season.

While he is projected to begin the year with Binghamton, he could beat out a pitcher on the 25-man roster for a spot on the big club. Most likely, he will simply be a call-up in September. This points to the fact that he's nearly ready.

That makes him almost impossible for teams to ignore when discussing a deal with the Mets. If the Mets are contenders, they may have to consider this as an option.

Trade Deal: Harvey can get the Mets a top-tier prospect or a MLB-ready minor league player straight up. In a package deal, he could be the center piece for a major name from a struggling team.

No. 2: Zack Wheeler

Zack Wheeler

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 185 lbs

Last Pitched: St Lucie Mets

By now, every Mets fan knows the name Zack Wheeler and how the Mets acquired him. For those unfamiliar, the Mets waited until the offensively starved San Francisco Giants were desperate enough to offer their highest pitching prospect and former first-round draft pick to the Mets for Carlos Beltran and then they pounced.

With the Mets season falling into disarray, it seemed like a good move. With the addition of Beltran not helping the Giants to make the playoffs and then the team failing to re-sign him, the Mets looked even wiser. Here's why:

Wheeler throws in the high 90s with a great curveball. His change-up is average but needs work. As a power pitcher, he gets a lot of strikeouts. In just half a season with the Mets, he posted 31 strikeouts in just six starts.

He's not ready for prime time yet, however, as his control needs to be mastered, and he needs work on his endurance as a starter. So far, he has made six starts for St. Lucie and just 27 innings pitched. That's an average of a little under five innings a start (closer to four per).

His 2.00 ERA there was a bit of an illusion. His first full season was spent between the Mets and the Giants affiliate in San Jose. Totaled, he threw 115 innings and a 3.52 ERA with 129 strikeouts to go with 52 walks.

He will be slated to most likely start in Double-A Binghamton and eventually be promoted to Buffalo at some point this season without a September call-up to Queens. If he proves himself at those levels, he will be competing for a rotation spot the following year from the gate.

With all that said, the Mets have an outstanding prospect ready to deal if the team starts calling around for help if they are in contention.

Just as they dealt Beltran to get Wheeler, they could deal Wheeler as part of a deal to get a big-name bat or an established ace for a playoff hungry Mets squad.

Trade Deal: The Mets could get an MLB-caliber veteran for the bench or a minor-leaguer and a draft pick straight up for Wheeler.

If he were packaged as a center piece of a deal, he would net the Mets a big-name threat boost the team to another level.   

No. 1: Jon Niese

Jon Niese

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 215 lbs

Last Pitched: New York Mets

The New York Mets have a pitcher who has already gained them the interest of multiple teams. His name is Jon Niese. He is a valuable commodity for this team in a few different ways.

One way he's valuable is if they see him as a long-term rotation member. He's only 25 years old and has already pitched well at the major league level. In 26 starts last year, he threw 157 innings and 138 strikeouts to go with an 11-11 record. This is with a bullpen that cost him another four or five decisions.

The other value option is trade bait to rebuild. During the offseason, the Mets were looking to ship some talent to build their farm system, and perhaps, get a younger bat for the outfield or a reliever.

They eventually shipped Angel Pagan to the Giants for Andres Torres and Ramon Ramirez during the winter meetings in December. During that time, though, they were entertaining offers for Niese.

It's reported that as many as five teams showed an interest: the Rockies, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Padres and Yankees. With his first two full seasons behind him and a 4.30 ERA between the two years, it's easy to see why he had value.

That age, combined with his potential upside and proven endurance at the MLB level make him a very tempting player for other teams to bite on should the Mets choose to dangle him. 

Trade Deal: Niese could net the team a major league ready prospect or a lower level minor league player with a draft pick in a straight-up trade. If he were to be packaged in a deal, Niese would get the Mets a big bat and a minor league prospect.

In closing, Jon Niese is the one pitcher who has the most trade value right now. The Mets would have to be struggling to do that, though.

The question is whether or not the team puts a squad on the field that makes them buyers in a year who will have an extra wild card or sellers in a year where they continue to rebuild for the future.

Time will tell.