Deal official: Pirates send Neil Walker to Mets for Jon Neise

     The Mets and Pirates both announce the trade that has been the big talk around the Winter Meetings today. That is the trade of Neil Walker for Jon Neise. It is a pure one-for-one trade. Now that it is done, was it a good deal or not? 

     I think it was a good deal. There are reasons why this is. First of which are the contracts. Neil Walker was set to make about $10M in arbitration this year. Neise, on the other hand, will make $9M in 2016 and has 2 options years after that at $10M and $10.5M. Pirates will not be financially tied down by Neise because of the club option years, and the Mets will only pay Walker for one year, which is pretty low-risk. Good deal for both clubs. 

     From a talent standpoint, the Mets get a 2B that is very consistent, however declining. Pirates are getting a starter they had a 2015 that didn't line up with his career numbers, but he's still solid for a 3 or 4 starter and will be that for hopefully 3 years. Moreover, this is a trade of guys that are solid players, but they are not amazing. 

     I think over the long run, the deal is pretty good for the Pirates. If Neise works out like he can, the Pirates will have a solid pitcher for awhile, at a rate that is cheaper than free agents of his skill are receiving. If he doesn't pan out, Pirates can dump him in any of his two option years. I'll end this by saying thank you to Neil Walker for all he did, and welcome to the Burgh, Jon Neise.