Mets: Who is the first player they trade away this summer?

Which member of the New York Mets trade block will swap uniforms first?

The New York Mets are reportedly ready to start listening to offers on several members of the roster. Officially open for business, it’s time to figure out which player they move first.

There are three categories of Mets players this year. There are those they have no business trading. Brandon Nimmo and other affordable players fall into this category. Jacob deGrom is also a member although he gets an asterisk because there will be trade rumors about him until July 31.

Another category includes those they would move, but probably cannot. Jay Bruce, Todd Frazier, and other more expensive players are in this club.

Finally, there are those who would make good trade candidates. Specifically, it’s those men on expiring contracts with value.

Several players are in the final year of their contract. The four we see the most are Jerry Blevins, Asdrubal Cabrera, Jeurys Familia, and Devin Mesoraco. Each has some marketability this summer.

Blevins needs to pitch a lot better to get anything of value back in return. He has been unwatchable this season. Fortunately, a strong resume may convince someone to take a chance.

At best, they land a very low-level prospect without much of a future in return for Blevins. It’s a deal they must make regardless of what’s offered. Blevins is giving this team absolutely nothing and to send him away for an opportunity to see what’s behind door number one is worth it.

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Cabrera and Familia would fetch the Mets the best return. Cabrera is an infielder who can play second base, third base, or shortstop. He’s also have a productive year on a team without much help around him. As a switch-hitting veteran, there’s a market for him. The Mets will find a new home for Cabrera. Someone will give up a decent piece too.

As for Familia, it all depends on how well he pitches in the next few weeks. The better he pitches, the more the Mets can get back. It won’t do much for the timing of the deal although the Mets may feel the need to move him sooner than later before he combusts.

Finally, there’s Mesoraco. I have a feeling he’s the first to go. Swapping catchers midseason is an unwritten trade deadline no-no. Nevertheless, it works.

Jonathan Lucroy has swapped uniforms in each of the last two seasons and played better with his new team. Mesoraco isn’t the same player as Lucroy, but he has already had success in 2018 when changing teams. Anyone who uses this as an excuse is just trying to drive the already relatively low price downward.

It wouldn’t be a complete surprise to see the Mets make a move before the trade deadline. Typically, those “smaller” trades have a chance at taking place well before the July 31 deadline.

Like last season, the Mets won’t be involved in any blockbuster deal. Instead, expect them to acquire more Ryder Ryan level players.

Next: Best Jacob deGrom trade destinations

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Hopefully, they don’t wait too long and watch the best deals pass them by.

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