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

Third Baseman Kris Bryant

Seriously? Returning to the Kris Bryant off-season trade rumors again?

Throughout the off-season, the Mets came up multiple times as a team talking about a Bryant deal with the Chicago Cubs. Obviously, nothing came of it, as Bryant remains with the team… at the moment.

The Cubs are playing in a very competitive NL Central, and at least on paper entering the season are far behind the top contenders in the National League. Meaning, the team could quickly pivot to being sellers at the deadline, and Bryant is one player to watch.

New York got involved with the Cubs about Bryant in the first place because of their defensive concerns at third base. With Robinson Cano suspended for the year, Jeff McNeil slides to second, leaving J.D. Davis, Luis Guillorme, and Jonathan Villar as their capable third baseman. Only, none of them are perfect fits for the position.

And that is where Bryant may come into play by the trade deadline. The three-time All-Star and former NL MVP is now 29-years-old and may just need a fresh start to get back into his groove. Injuries have taken a toll on the slugger, and in 2020, his batting average plummeted to .206, and his on-base percentage fell below .300.

In other words, he has not been the same high-caliber player he once was. Although, he may be just good enough for the Mets to consider acquiring. Bryant was last an All-Star in 2019 and does have a career mark of -10Rdrs over 629 games.

Of course, those are not perfect numbers, but they are definitely better than the trio the Mets currently employ at third. And if those three struggle, Bryant could be a Met sooner than later.