Gary Matthews for Stokes

Calm down Mets fans… I’ve never seen a fan base get so upset over a trade that involved a mediocre middle relief guy for a fourth or fifth outfielder. The Mets needed another outfielder not only to fill in for Beltran but just in general a team shouldn’t only have one backup outfielder.

We’re only picking up $2 million of Gary Matthews contract. In fact we’re actually paying Kelvim Escobar and Ryota Igarashi more money than we’re paying Gary Matthews Jr. So the money is certainly not an issue.

Speaking of those two relief pitchers, the acquisition of those guys essentially eliminated the need for Stokes anyway. We’ve got an abundance of right handed relievers to choose from this year, nobody should be losing sleep over the idea of losing Stokes.

This was a good deal for both sides. Is Gary Matthews my first choice to be our backup? No, but I can live with him there.