Mets: Best trade partners to find pitching in exchange for a bat

The New York Mets need to upgrade their pitching staff this winter. These four teams had plenty of pitching in 2020 without much offense. Is there a deal to make?

When we think about possible trades the New York Mets can make this winter, the most obvious matches are the teams in need of some offense with pitching to spare. The Mets are loaded with offensive talent but lack the starting pitching needed to go the distance.

Using the 2020 totals of runs allowed and runs scored by each squad, I have tried to find some balance. By choosing teams with worse offenses than the Mets and better pitching, I have decided on four squads.

Although there may not be an obvious trade for the Mets to make, it’s worth calling up these opposing GMs to see what they’re willing to sell.

Cincinnati Reds

In 2020, the Cincinnati Reds had one of the league’s lowest runs per game total. They averaged 4.05 per game which was only better than the two worst teams in Major League Baseball; the Pittsburgh Pirates and Texas Rangers.

The Reds still managed to climb their way into the expanded playoffs by allowing 4.05 runs per game. The club’s lack of balance from the mound to the plate was apparent.

The Reds have plenty of familiar names on their roster. Joey Votto is still there, but like many of his teammates, he struggled in 2020.

The club had only one batter with at least 100 plate appearances hit above .250. Our good friend Jesse Winker, at .255, was it.

Meanwhile, the starting staff and bullpen were quite awesome for the Reds. Although they are losing Trevor Bauer, the team has several other candidates the Mets could potentially look into.

From the bullpen, there’s Raisel Iglesias and Amir Garrett are the obvious coveted arms that would look great in blue and orange. As far as starters go, I’m not sure Cincinnati is ready to part with anyone. Sonny Gray was a travesty with the New York Yankees. Even if he was available, the Mets might not want to touch him anyway.

Although there is no starting pitcher to snag, it would be interesting to see the Mets pursue one of the Reds’ bullpen arms.