MLB trade grades: Why the Mets won the David Robertson deal

Seven games back in the National League Wild Card race, the New York Mets opted to trade closer David Robertson to the division-rival Miami Marlins for two prospects. So who won the trade? 

First things first: David Robertson might be the Mets’ MVP this season.

After superstar closer Edwin Diaz went down during the World Baseball Classic, the highest-paid team in MLB history was left with a gaping hole at the back of their bullpen.

With a miniscule 2.05 ERA and 1.00 WHIP, Robertson has more than filled that hole this season. In what has been one of the most disappointing seasons in MLB history, Robertson has been one of the lone bright spots for GM Billy Eppler’s underachieving Mets.

Mets: What should we know about infielder Marco Vargas?

Coming back the Mets’ way from the Marlins is 18-year-old infielder Marco Vargas, the No. 18 prospect in Miami’s system according to MLB.com.

Those rankings mean nothing to me, to be honest. When assessing the merits of a trade, from the Mets’ perspective, does it matter how MLB.com views a young player like Vargas? Does it even matter how the Marlins view Vargas?

No. No it doesn’t. From the Mets’ side, the only thing that should matter are the evaluations of Eppler, his front office team, owner Steve Cohen and potentially the coaching staff.

And let’s look at the actual reality, here: Vargas posted a ridiculous .457 OBP in Rookie ball this season. He’s a young, sweet-swinging left-handed hitter who hit .283 to go along with eight steals on the base paths.

And remember, they play a pretty short season down in Rookie ball. Vargas was very productive despite just 120 official at bats this season.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan, widely considered one of the best and most reliable journalists in baseball, reported that multiple evaluators and sources believe Vargas can become a top prospect overall.

David Robertson is 38 years old, nearing retirement. I think Robertson-for-Vargas would have been a fair enough trade in itself.

What should we know about catcher Ronald Hernandez? 

Also heading the Mets’ way is 19-year-old Ronald Hernandez, the No. 21 prospect in the Marlins’ system, also according to MLB.com.

Hernandez is a switch-hitting catcher who also dominated down in Rookie ball this season.

The youthful backstop slashed a ridiculous .298/.464/.452, good for an astronomical .916 OPS. He added three dingers and 25 RBI in just 104 official at bats.

Though Vargas is viewed as a better all-around prospect, there’s certainly plenty of potential when it comes to young Ronald Hernandez.

In the end, who won the David Robertson trade?

Robertson will undoubtedly be a major asset for the Marlins in their pursuit of a National League playoff spot, but we all know he’s simply a rental.

On the other side of the coin, the Mets desperately need to get younger, faster and more explosive.

This trade definitely puts them on the right path. The Mets are already stockpiling young talent in Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, Ronny Mauricio, Kevin Parada, Jett Williams and Alex Ramirez, so Vargas and Hernandez only bolster a farm system on the rise.

It’s clear the 2023 New York Mets are too old, slow and stuck in their ways. Look out for the younger, hungrier Mets of the future though.

John Frascella is a published baseball author who has been covering MLB for 19 years. Follow him on Twitter @LegendSports7 for all things Mets, MLB, NFL and NBA throughout the year.