Mets net strong return in David Robertson trade

David Robertson warmed up in the Mets bullpen in the bottom of the eighth Thursday night, as he has all season. The Nationals-Mets game entered a lengthy rain delay with Robertson warming, and when the action resumed, Brooks Raley took the mound in the top of the ninth inning, not Robertson.

Robertson did not pitch the ninth because the Mets began their mini-selloff and shipped the veteran closer to the young Miami Marlins for two prospects, 18-year-old infielder Marco Vargas and 19-year-old catcher Ronald Hernandez. 

According to MLB.com's prospect rankings, Vargas ranks 18th in the Marlins system and is not expected to reach the majors until 2027. Hernandez ranks 21st in the Marlins system and is expected to reach the majors in 2026. 

MLB Pipeline reporter Sam Dykstra said on Thursday night Vargas will jump up to the number six prospect in the Mets organization while Hernandez will rank 18th. MLB Pipeline will do a midseason update in mid-August, so it's possible Vargas and Hernandez climb further up the Mets prospect rankings.

Regardless, acquiring the sixth and 18th best prospects in your farm system for a 38-year-old reliever on an expiring contract is quite the haul.

Vargas and Hernandez both played rookie ball for the Florida Coast League (FCL) Marlins in 2023. Despite being a year and a half younger than your average FCL player, Vargas slashed .283/.457/.442 with an OPS of .899, while Hernandez, also younger than your average FCL player, slashed .298/.464/.452 with a .916 OPS. Most impressively, both players have walked more than they have struck out in 2023. 

Vargas will likely receive top 100 MLB prospect consideration this fall.

Mets GM Billy Eppler sounded enthused when discussing each prospect with reporters on Thursday night. 

"Left-handed-bat, middle of the diamond, shortstop profile right now, elite contact, elite decision making, has above average exit velocity for the level, he's young, that's another good quality and he's really performing well," Eppler said about Vargas. 

"Regarding Hernandez, switch-hitting catcher, above average arm strength, another guy with above average exit velocity, really good decision making in the batter's box," Eppler said.

The Robertson trade is a sign the Mets organization believes this season was a failure. After opening the season with the largest payroll in North American sports history, New York sits seven games out of the final NL wild card and 17 games behind Atlanta for first in the NL East on July 28.

Tommy Pham, Mark Canha, Adam Ottavino and Brooks Raley could be other Mets veterans shipped out the door before Tuesday's trade deadline.