David Robertson on Thursday night became the first pending free agent on the Mets to be to be jettisoned, finally signifying that the organization plans to be a willing seller at the Aug. 1 trade deadline.
Two other players with expiring contracts, outfielders Mark Canha and Tommy Pham, said they were hardly surprised by the Robertson trade and what it could mean for them in the coming days.
“I wasn’t shocked by it. Leading up to now, we’re not shocked by it,” Pham said in a brief conversation before he started in left field and went 1-for-4 Friday night in a 5-1 win over the Nationals. “[Robertson is] on an expiring contract and that’s the business of the game. That’s all I have to say.”
Pham, who signed a one-year deal worth $6 million as a free agent last winter, also responded “no” when asked if the Mets have addressed his situation with him.
The trade deadline is this coming Tuesday.
Canha, after knocking in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning Thursday as the first batter following a 97-minute rain delay in a 2-1 win over the Nationals, similarly said general manager Billy Eppler has not spoken to him about potentially being moved.
“It’s unfortunate, it’s a tough blow, but it’s the nature of the business,” the 34-year-old Canha said of Robertson’s trade to the Marlins for two low-level minor leaguers. “I think we were all expecting it at some point. So it’s not surprising. It still hurts, though.
Everything to know about the Mets' historic sell-off
After a disappointing season, the Mets are selling off their historically expensive roster.
The Amazins dealt out some big name players before the MLB trade deadline — including now-former co-aces Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer.
Below are the players the Mets have shipped out:
Tommy Pham
The Mets traded the outfielder minutes before the 6 p.m. deadline to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Arizona is sending back 17-year shortstop Jeremy Rodriguez, who has a .751 OPS rookie ball this season.
Justin Verlander
The Mets traded out Verlander, a sure-fire Hall of Fame pitcher, back to his former team, the Houston Astros.
The Amazins reportedly will receive top Astros prospect Drew Gilbert, a Double-A outfielder, and 20-year-old outfielder Ryan Clifford, who owns a .919 OPS through 83 games in Low- and High-A this year.
Max Scherzer
Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young winner that was a co-ace with Verlander, was sold off to the Texas Rangers.
The Mets landed one of the Rangers’ top prospects, Double-A infielder Luisangel Acuña, brother of Braves star Ronald Acuña.
Mark Canha
The veteran outfielder was dealt to the Brewers for Justin Jarvis, a promising 23-year-old pitcher that was ranked No. 12 in the Brewers’ farm system.
David Robertson
The Mets traded closer David Robertson to the Miami Marlins, a move that started off the club’s deadline dismantle.
In exchange for Robertson, who is having another terrific season, the Mets received a pair of minor leaguers, infielder Marco Vargas and catcher Ronald Hernandez, from Miami.
“I’m only human, so it’s in the back of my mind,” he added. “But it doesn’t really do me any good to think about it. You try to keep it in the back of your mind and stay focused on playing every day.”
Canha, who went 0-for-3 with a walk Friday, signed a two-year deal worth $24.5 million guaranteed — including an $11.5 million club option for 2024 with a $2 million buyout — ahead of last season.
He admitted he “wasn’t really hopeful,” even before Robertson’s departure, that the Mets, who are 49-54, could avoid selling at the deadline.
“We probably should have played better earlier if we wanted to be buyers instead of sellers,” Canha said. “I think my mindset is we can still play good baseball if we lose pieces. That’s kind of where my attention is.
“Just keep playing good baseball and let the logistics take care of themselves, and like I told the guys, regardless of what happens the next few days, let’s win a lot of games the next two months and see what happens.”
