Mets: 3 players most likely to get traded before the deadline
With this year’s deadline set for August 31st, the New York Mets may very well be sellers. These are the three most likely to get dealt.
The 2020 New York Mets season has been a very….memorable one to say the least, but for all the wrong reasons.
Going along with the delayed started and shorted 60 game season due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Mets have dealt with injuries to key players, others opting out for the year, and this past week missed a series against the Yankees due to COVID concerns.
At the time of writing, the Mets currently sit in 3rd place in the division and while they are only 3 games out of first, they have a tough schedule coming up, and not just in terms of opponents.
If things go to plan, the Mets will be playing 34 games over 34 days, with very few days off and several doubleheaders planned. The team already has an ailing roster, most prominently regarding the Starting Pitchers, and with such a steep hill to climb, it may be wiser for the Mets to be sellers as the deadline nears.
The Mets have several players who are pending free agents which a contending team may be interested in acquiring, and with a depleted farm system, New York would be wise to acquire young talent to aid their future seasons if 2020 is out of reach.
Additionally, as these men are all pending free agents, the Mets can simply deal them for the final month of the year and resign them this coming off-season, so for a 30 game rental, New York could end up with a big return.
If they do decide to go that route, here are 3 Mets Players who could be traded at the deadline.
Wilson Ramos
Arguably the biggest pick up for the Mets in 2019 was veteran catcher Wilson Ramos, who provided some very steady offense at a position New York had struggled to get production out of in recent years.
The two-time All-Star originally signed a 2 year deal with the club prior to last season, and he went on to hit .288 with a .351 OBP, along with 14 HRs and 73 RBI, and was one of the biggest forces behind the Mets’ late-season run in 2019.
This year, Wilson has had a slow start to the year, only batting .211 over 20 games. However, this is a small sample size and historically, Ramos has been a very well regarded hitter throughout the bulk of his career.
Despite his slow start to the 2020 season, many contending teams would surely be interested in the veteran backstop, either to replace their starting catcher, serves as a quality backup, or potentially serve as DH for a club.
Potentially interested teams which come to mind are the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays, all of who are contending teams struggling to get production out of their current catchers.
Seeing as he is a free agent following the year and is an older player, as he just turned 33 this August, there is no guarantee the Mets will resign him this coming offseason.
The added benefit of moving Ramos would allow the younger Tomas Nido to audition for the role of Starting Catcher for the month of September.
If the Mets are not going to compete, then they would be better served dealing Wilson and trying to get something of value back in return.
Justin Wilson
Another member of the Mets’ 2019 signing class, the southpaw Justin Wilson also originally signed a 2 year deal with New York and will hit free agency following the end of the 2020 season.
Wilson served as one of the Mets’ top relievers in 2019, logging a 2.54 ERA of 45 games, primarily as the setup man for closer Seth Lugo down the stretch last year.
While like Ramos, he too is off to a slow start in 2020, posting a 4.32 ERA over 10 games to begin the year.
Despite his lackluster numbers to begin 2020, Wilson has been a very effective reliever the majority of his career, and as all teams know, a consistent lefty can be tough to come by.
Literally any contending team would be interested in bringing him in to help bolster the bullpen for a reasonable price, and if he is going to be a free agent following the season, the Mets would be better served to get something for him than simply let him walk.
Additionally, moving him would allow young relievers like Drew Smith and Daniel Zamora to get a few more opportunities at earning a spot in the bullpen for next season, and with no minor leagues this season, those young players need all the reps they can get.
Dellin Betances
Of the three names on this list, the Mets dealing Dellin Betances may be the longest shot, but I feel that its one worth mentioning as a possibility.
Prior to the 2020 season, the Mets signed him to a 1 year, $10 million contract. Like both Ramos and Wilson, Betances may be a free agent following the 2020 season, that is if he doesn’t exercise his $6 million player option.
During his tenure with the Yankees, Betances was one of the most dominant relief pitchers in the league, however, he missed all but one game of the 2019 season due to multiple injuries.
Since joining the Mets this year, Betances has remained healthy, however, his fastball velocity has diminished, and over the course of 11 appearances spanning 9.0 innings, he has logged a 6.00 ERA.
This slow start to the year however does not diminish Betances’ overall ability and reputation as a pitcher. Surely many contending teams would be interested in him based on his track record.
The 2 things that may prevent it though are if the Mets wish to bring him back for a full season in 2021 and his previously mentioned $6 Million Player Option.
While he could be an intriguing name to many teams, trading for Betances would be a gamble for any team, and his player option could.
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Who do you think the Mets could trade before the month is through?