Three Mets trade targets flying under the radar this winter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 12: A baseball hat and a glove sit on the bench in the dugout before a game between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 12, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 3-1. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 12: A baseball hat and a glove sit on the bench in the dugout before a game between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 12, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 3-1. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 23: Nathan Eovaldi #17 of the Boston Red Sox reacts during the first inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles on September 23, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

1) Right-Handed Pitcher Nathan Eovaldi

The Boston Red Sox will be looking to acquire young talent and potentially clear more salary this offseason as they continue to reconstruct their Major League roster and the Mets should look into giving the front office in Boston a phone call on right-handed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi. The 30-year old Eovaldi could slide into the middle of the Mets starting rotation and would instantly help patch one of the three potential spots that are up for grabs.

With Red Sox Designated Hitter J.D. Martinez not expected to opt-out of his contract this offseason, the Red Sox may be inclined to move money again this winter and Eovaldi could be the likeliest member of the organization to be moved. Eovaldi is still under contract for two more seasons at $17 million per season, and the return that the Mets provide the Red Sox could solely depend on if the Red Sox would eat part of Eovaldi’s salary or if the move would be just a straight salary dump.

Eovaldi had a strong season for the Red Sox in 2020 pitching to a 3.72 ERA over nine starts while striking out 52 and only walking seven batters. In Eovaldi’s 48.1 innings pitched he also produced an above-average WHIP of 1.200.

Eovaldi who has been well known as one of the league’s flamethrowers for the better part of his career, as his average fastball velocity sits around 97 MPH, would fit that mold of a power arm that the Mets fans have become accustomed to seeing in the starting rotation. For an organization looking to contend in 2021 Eovaldi would be a piece that could help solidify the middle of the rotation for the next two seasons.