MLB Trade Rumors: Should the Mets pursue Michael Fulmer?


(Photo Credit: Keith Allison)

The Detroit Tigers are listening to offers on RHP Michael Fulmer, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. It will take a pretty penny to land the former Rookie of the Year, but the payoff would be more than worth it. There is no reason the New York Mets shouldn't try to bring their former farm-hand back to New York. 

The past

Fulmer was dealt from the Mets to Detroit in 2015 in return for slugger Yoenis Céspedes. Cespedes played a huge role in getting the Mets to the World Series that year and has hit a plethora of home runs for the orange and blue over his tenure, but injuries have plagued him. The Mets would be much better off with a young, dependable starting pitcher in 25-year-old Fulmer than they would an aging, streaky, injured Cespedes. 

Since then, Fulmer, who owns a 3.61 career ERA,  went on to be named the American League Rookie of the Year in 2016. The Mets did not feel the loss of Fulmer as they made the playoffs for the second consecutive year with the help of Cespedes and his bat. 

Now, since it has been well over a month since Cespedes has played in a game for the Mets, it is looking as though the New York lost out on what could be a huge boost to their starting rotation. So far this year, Cespedes is batting an underwhelming .225 with eight home runs in only 37 games.

Sure, the starting pitching seems to be the least of the Mets' problems as of late, but talks of contending in 2019 have already started. Fulmer could be a huge part of making dreams of contention a reality if the Mets are willing to part with someone of great stature. Imagine Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Michael Fulmer in the same rotation. The possibilities are endless. 

Who would go?

Fulmer is a very good pitcher. Don't let his current 4.11 ERA fool you. He was good enough to land the Mets Cespedes many moons ago. What would it take to bring him home to New York? Nothing less than a package of guys with pretty decent numbers.  

Such a package would have to include a top player, like Brandon Nimmo for example. Fulmer is top of the line, so whatever the Tigers would get in return would have to be top of the line too. 

If the Mets put Wilmer Flores, Brandon Nimmo, and Steven Matz in a package, they may be able to land the right-hander, but that is wishful thinking. The Mets have proven time and time again that they are stingy about improving their team as we saw in the offseason when little was done to improve the roster.

From the outside looking in, going after Fulmer should be a no-brainer for the Mets, but the odds of them doing anything really start a serious conversation with Detroit are slim to none. 

What do you think it would take for the Mets to land Fulmer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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