Sirius XM analyst and former Reds and Nationals GM Jim Bowden talks with The Post’s Justin Terranova about the Mets’ trade dilemma, Manny Machado and a dream Yankees scenario.
Q: Should the Mets trade Jacob deGrom or Noah Syndergaard?
A: If you get blown away, you have to consider it because of how poor their farm system is. The Mets have to look up at the Braves, Nationals and Phillies. Not only are those three teams better than them at the major league level, but they are far beyond them in the minor leagues. How are you ever going to catch those teams? Making a big deal on an elite player is the best way.
Q: But, would they do it?
A: Who’s the GM with the most power? Is it John Ricco or Omar Minaya or J.P. Ricciardi? If you tell me it’s Omar, I could see him making a four-for-one or five-for-one deal. If it’s out there, he won’t be afraid. If it’s Ricco, I could see him being a little more conservative: dealing (Steven) Matz and (Zack) Wheeler, while holding on to deGrom and Syndergaard. Omar was a counterpart for me through the years and I’ve watched him wheel and deal throughout his career. He’s never been afraid to make big trades. He’s fearless out there. He knows young players and is not afraid to take chances on them.
Q: How serious do you think the Yankees and Machado talks are?
A: The biggest need is a top-of-the-rotation guy to pair with (Luis) Severino. Of course, there are not a lot of guys who fit that criteria outside of deGrom and Blake Snell. From what I’ve heard, the only reason the Yankees are linked to Machado is if they can move (Miguel) Andujar in a package to get deGrom and then turn around to do a package for Machado. That would probably be the dream end result for the Yankees.
Q: Who do you think will land Machado?
A: I’ve said all along that the Phillies are one of the teams that have a legitimate chance at him and the team that has the biggest need for him of those that are in the playoffs. And they have enough pitching depth that they could come together with a really big package for him. There are lots of teams involved, though.
Q: Where do you think the Yankees could go for rotation help?
A: Going bullpen instead makes sense. Look at what’s out there: J.A. Happ, Cole Hamels, Tyson Ross, Matt Harvey. Outside of Harvey, none of these guys has pitched well in their past seven starts. Are those guys that much better than (Masahiro) Tanaka, (Domingo) German? I think the Yankees have Happ on the top of their list of outside starters, but I don’t think they have any interest in giving up Clint Frazier for a two-month rental who is going to be a fourth or fifth starter.