Chicago Cubs: What does the Mets-Mariners trade mean for the Cubs?

Four years ago, the Chicago Cubs ran into the buzzsaw that was the New York Mets. Now, the Mets are involved in a blockbuster. What does it all mean?

When the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets met in the 2015 National League Championship Series, it was supposed to mark the dawn of a new era where these two clubs would rule the league for years to come.

In the three years that followed, Chicago won a World Series, returning to the postseason annually. From 2015 to 2017, the Cubs played in the League Championship Series. The Mets? They averaged just 78 wins per year and missed the postseason in both 2017 and 2018.

Hellbent on returning the team to relevancy, new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen already has his first blockbuster under his belt.

According to multiple reports, the Mets acquired eight-time All-Star Robinson Cano and shutdown closer Edwin Diaz from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Jay Bruce, relievers Anthony Swarzak and Gerson Bautista and prospects Jarred Kelenic, Justin Dunn and cash in the neighborhood of $20 million.

Is this enough to get New York back to October? How do they stack up against Chicago (at least on paper)? Could we see another Mets-Cubs NLCS in 2019?

Chicago Cubs: Cano adds much-needed thump to the Mets lineup

Aside from outfielder Michael Conforto, no New York Mets player hit more than 18 long balls last season. Yoenis Cespedes remains a glaring question mark in the middle of that lineup if he manages to return at any point next season. In short, they need an impact bat.

And that’s exactly what Cano brings to the table.

Last season (which included an 80-game suspension for PEDs), Cano hit 10 home runs and drove in 50 runs in 80 games. He also batted .303 and put up a 136 OPS+ for the Mariners. From 2014 to 2017 (his first four years in Seattle), Cano averaged a 128 OPS+, 24 home runs and 90 RBI. If you’re wondering, the Mets haven’t had a player drive in 90 or more runs in a single season since Lucas Duda drove in 92 back in 2014.

Of course, the Cubs have a slugging middle infielder of their own in 2018 NL MVP runner-up Javier Baez. Coming off a breakout campaign in which he carried the Cubs back to the postseason, Baez now stands as one of the best in the game.

Short-term? I’d take Baez. Long-term? I’d obviously take Baez. But there’s no disputing what Cano’s bat means for this New York ballclub and the immediate boost he’ll provide in the heart of the order.

Chicago Cubs: Mets still have some work to do

If you’re a New York Mets fan, you’re not concerned about the Chicago Cubs. You’re concerned about the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves.

Washington could bring back Bryce Harper and build around him. More notably, Atlanta’s young core looks reminiscent of the core that dominated the NL East for more than a decade in the 1990s – and show no signs of slowing up anytime soon. If anything, they could emerge as one of baseball’s best young teams, right alongside clubs like Chicago.

But it’s hard to imagine New York is done. In fact, multiple reports have the Mets talking to the Cleveland Indians about Corey Kluber. Add Kluber to that rotation and you’re talking about Kluber alongside Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler. If they went out and acquired someone like J.T. Realmuto behind the dish, things really get interesting.

For now, the gap between the Cubs and Mets is still fairly large – but the Cano/Diaz acquisition certainly narrowed it – at least looking at 2019. Will Van Wagenen build on this move and turn the Mets into an overnight sensation? Don’t count him out – and don’t expect the Cubs to sit on their hands all winter, either.