Mets' GM Brodie Van Wagenen, Yankees' Brian Cashman unafraid to think boldly - NorthJersey.com

Pete Caldera MLB writer

Published 4:16 PM EST Dec 11, 2018

LAS VEGAS — As a general rule, Brian Cashman – entering his 22nd season on the job – is open to any and all proposals to improve the Yankees.

Even if it’s an off-the-wall idea presented by another club, the general manager will bring it managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner’s attention.

And in his first few weeks at the Mets’ helm, Brodie Van Wagenen is already gaining a reputation for aggressive deal-making, in his fast transition from agent-ing to running a ball club.

Like it or not, Van Wagenen’s first strike as Mets general manager was a bold one – adding Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz while shipping bad contracts and good prospects to Seattle.

And having moved those prospects, Van Wagenen might require a third party’s assistance if there’s a realistic chance that Marlins’ catcher J.T. Realmuto could become a Met.

So, it seems natural that Van Wagenen and Cashman might engage in three-way trade scenarios, with the Yankees boldly dreaming of adding Noah Syndergaard as the stunning, final piece to their rotation.

The chances of pulling off such a deal might be remote.

But the think-big conversations alone say a lot about the new GM’s aggressiveness toward a player he wants and the veteran GM’s willingness to engage – on an impact level – with a crosstown rival.

“Hal Steinbrenner gets all the offers; the ugly ones we don’t like … or the good ones which we would recommend,’’ Cashman said on Monday, speaking generally before reports circulated Monday night that the Yanks, Mets and Marlins had at least discussed three-way trade scenarios.

Whether it’s a trial balloon or a solid trade proposal, Steinbrenner is “heavily involved in every step of the way.’’

At the same time, Mets co-owner Jeff Wilpon is in Vegas for these Winter Meetings and is obviously plugged in to Van Wagenen’s thinking, having endorsed the Cano-Diaz deal.

"I think Jeff has been willing to do what I felt like he needed to do to help us be successful in our early ventures this offseason,'' Van Wagenen said Monday afternoon. 

"He was really crucial in helping the Cano-Diaz trade get completed and I felt like, with as many balls as we have in the air right now, it was going to be strategically helpful to have him here with us and involved in many of the discussions we'll have and hopefully be able to contribute in some of the meetings we're having as well.''

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