NY Mets: Three way-too-early potential trade deadline targets

Starting Pitcher Kevin Gausman

This off-season, New York underwent an overhaul when it comes to their starting rotation. Outside of deGrom, nobody was safe. Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha were not brought back, and Steven Matz was dealt to Toronto.

At the same time, the Mets retained Marcus Stroman, signed Taijuan Walker, and acquired Carlos Carrasco to join deGrom and David Peterson in the rotation. And already, they are having some issues.

Carrasco is missing the start of the season as he recovers from a hamstring injury, and Peterson got rocked during his first start. And while the starting five will eventually get reinforcements when Noah Syndergaard returns from Tommy John, the team cannot hold out for him to immediately get into form.

Taking that into consideration, the Mets are a potential buyer for starting pitchers. Players like Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray of the Cincinnati Reds are possible options for the Mets. But San Francisco Giants Kevin Gausman is the best target.

Unlike the other three mentioned, Gausman is not going to take much to acquire. He is currently playing under a qualifying offer and would be a rental for the 2021 season. And with numerous key players on the Giants having expiring contracts after the season, they are primed to be sellers.

Gausman is coming off of an excellent 2020 campaign, where he started 10 of 12 games, going 3-3 with a 3.62era. He also managed to strike out 79 in 59.2 innings pitched, therefore earning him a career-high 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings mark.

Again, the Mets have a talented starting rotation if everyone is healthy. Yet should health come into play and pitching becomes inconsistent, Gausman is an intriguing trade deadline option.