A lot has been made about what the Mets will do at the approaching trade deadline. One of the glaring needs for the Mets has been starting pitching. With their ace, Jacob deGrom heading to the IL, adding a starter became even more crucial. Zack Scott, the Mets acting GM, added his voice to the emphasis for starting pitching this week. Appearing on the Big Time Baseball podcast, Scott named dealing for starting pitching as New Yorks top priority as the deadline approaches.
Pitching
On the podcast, Scott noted that the deal will likely be a rental. With nearly every team looking to add pitching this season and few multi-year options. Some of the rental options include the Rockies’ Jon Gray, the Twins’ Michael Pineda, and the Pirates’ Tyler Anderson. Jose Berrios for the Twins and the Diamondbacks’ Caleb Smith have also been names tossed around. Both are under contract beyond this season. One interesting thing will be if a team can put a package together to tempt the Nationals in acquiring Max Scherzer.
Position Players
After pitching, Scott named adding versatility among the Mets position players as a need to feel this deadline. Chatter surrounding the Mets interest in Kris Bryant has been out there for months. There are not many players more versatile than Kris Bryant. Bryant can play third base, left field, and even stints in center. Most importantly however, is Bryant’s bat and how the need he fills for the Mets there. This week, ESPN’s Jeff Passan speculated Kris Bryant is ‘as good as gone’ in Chicago. Can the Mets put together a package to get the hot-hitting third basemen?
Another name tossed around has been Javy Baez. This comes after Francisco Lindor went to the IL with a Grade 2 oblique strain. However, Scott did state on the podcast that he believes New York can piece together a short-term solution.
Early in July, there were reports that the Mets had begun conversations with the Twins about another third basemen, Josh Donaldson. The Mets later confirmed to Jon Heyman that Donaldson was not on their radar. Perhaps with the Twins being sellers at the deadline, this may be something they revisit.
Second basemen Adam Frazier has also been linked to the Metropolitans. This gives New York flexibility in moving Jeff McNeil to third, where he has made 11 starts. However, with JD Davis set to make his return this week may complicate the possibility of this deal. Davis got off to a pretty good start this season before the injury to his left hand. Frazier currently ranks second in the National League with a .326 batting average and would really help the team offensively. But it would take some maneuvering that just might not make sense for the Mets right now.
Starling Marte is another player that I believe could lift the Mets. With the Marlins likely choosing not to pay him what he is worth on an extension, Marte may be on the move. He would immediately boost their outfield playing center field. He boosts the team offensively, and defensively? He is a candidate for the Gold Glove. This season Marte is has a .402 OBP, has stolen 12 bases, and scored 35 runs in 44 games. Marte would be a wonderful addition to the Mets outfield.
Big Splash
New York was already expected to be aggressive at this year’s trade deadline. But recent injuries have made that even more important this season. The Mets are looking to make a “big splash” this year, acquiring talent to help secure their spot in the postseason. Maintaining first place in the NL East is crucial for the Mets and dealing for any of these players would be the first step in doing so.
