The worst-kept secret in professional sports is that the MLB owners are widely expected to halt regular business operations when the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires on December 1 at 11:59p ET. That leaves a 21-day sprint for teams to get their work in before they go on an extended holiday.
Our local GMs are already under the spotlight: Brian Cashman due to a 17-year championship drought, and David Stearns due to a two-year playoff drought while watching his former team win the 2026 World Series.
Both guys are currently attending the 2026 MLB General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas. Just in case they don’t bump into each other, we decided to do the hard work for them and propose a mutually beneficial mock blockbuster.
THE NEW YORK METS RECEIVE:
- C J.C. Escarra (31)
- 1B Luis García Jr (26)
- OF Heliot Ramos (27)
- RHP Elmer Rodríguez (23)
- RHP Clarke Schmidt (30)
THE NEW YORK YANKEES RECEIVE:
- 3B Bo Bichette (28)
- INF/OF Brett Baty (26)
- C Luis Torrens (30)
Why does it work for the Amazin’s?
The New York Mets’ primary need is starting pitching. When healthy, Clarke Schmidt is a proven middle-of-the-rotation starter with a lifetime ERA of 3.81 and 386 strikeouts in 394 big league innings. Elmer Rodriguez made six MLB starts in 2026 and is the second-ranked prospect in the New York Yankees system behind only SS Dax Kilby.
Trading Bo Bichette opens a hole at 3B, but acquiring Luis Garcia Jr fills a need at either 1B or 2B depending on whom else the Mets acquire. Heliot Ramos would become the fourth outfielder behind Carson Benge, AJ Ewing, and Juan Soto and could play against all lefties either in the field or as the DH.
Finally, JC Escarra is not the defender that Luis Torrens is, but he’s adequate behind the plate and a left-handed hitter, making him a better fit with the right-handed hitting Francisco Alvarez.
Following this proposed trade, the Amazin’s will still be in the market for a top-of-the-rotation starter, a bullpen piece, a third baseman and perhaps a second baseman. But with Bichette’s $42m off the books and more pitching depth, they will be better positioned to go after free agents like Tarik Skubal and Teruaki Sato.
Why does it work for the Bombers?
Hal Steinbrenner made it clear the Yankees offense was their biggest culprit in 2026. “I was disappointed, quite frankly, with the offense throughout the course of the year…as a whole, they were very inconsistent when it came to run scoring,” he said.
The owner is right, and that’s why I’m advocating for the Yankees to dip into their starting pitching reserves. As it stands now, Schmidt is their seventh starter behind Cam Schlittler, Max Fried, Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Will Warren, and Ryan Weathers. Also, while Rodriguez is their top pitching prospect, they have eight other pitchers in their Top 10.
Bichette becomes the full-time third baseman, and solidifies the lineup with a right-handed bat that produced a .337 on-base percentage in his seven seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East before spending one off-year in Queens.
The Yanks put heavy emphasis on defense behind the plate, and both Torrens and Austin Wells were finalists in their respective leagues for Gold Gloves in 2026. Aaron Boone would be able to platoon them. Plus, Brett Baty’s positional versatility, along with Jose Caballero, will give the Yankees two utility players capable of playing multiple positions across the diamond.
Following this proposed trade, the Bombers will still be in the market for bullpen help as they are expected to try and lock up closer David Bednar and bid for left-handed reliever Adrian Morejon.
Does this mock trade work for you?
Feel free to RantBack with your thoughts!
ICYMI “The New York Yankees: The Aftermath Part Three (Roster Construction)”