NY Mets trade for Cameron Maybin hasn’t even been worth the buck they paid for him

Last week, the New York Mets made a rare May trade of some significance. For a buck, they picked up veteran outfielder Cameron Maybin to help overcome the increasingly full injured list facing the team.

Maybin wasn’t hitting well in Triple-A for the Chicago Cubs before the trade. Could a change of scenario do him any good?

Say it ain’t so, Maybin is 0 for his first 16 with 9 strikeouts. Found hitting third three times and fifth in his most recent game, Maybin hasn’t even been worth the load of laundry the Mets paid to get him.

Searching for some answers to help improve the Mets offense

Where else can the Mets turn to find some offense? As currently constructed, I have a tough time seeing them piece together a big game at the plate. With a season-high of eight runs scored—accomplished twice this season versus the Philadelphia Phillies—those daily fantasy baseball managers who have been stacking their lineups with Mets players are losing lots of money while holding out hope for an offensive explosion.

The Mets still have Francisco Lindor and Dominic Smith available and catcher James McCann continues to get his starts even if they are growing fewer. It’s unreasonable to expect this team to rely on Tomas Nido for anything more than what he has already given them. As fun as it has been to see him thrive, it’s impossible to imagine him carrying the offense.

Unfortunately, there’s no one in Syracuse hitting well and those who did have halfway decent numbers are already with the team.

There’s no real pop to the starting eight. Jonathan Villar is second on the team in home runs with only four. Lindor and Smith would normally be home run threats. However, they have combined for only five all year long.

The injury issue facing the Mets is relatively new even if it does feel like weeks since they have had what looks like a major league lineup on the field. It was only last weekend when we all held our breath as Michael Conforto and Jeff McNeil exited early. Kevin Pillar’s pitch to the face is only a week old. Far more recent is the absence of Pete Alonso and his always-dangerous bat.

Another trade would be the most immediate and impactful way to improve the offense. It’s unlikely to happen to the level the Mets need at the moment. Too many teams are still alive and hopeful they can accomplish something this year. Plus, who wants to help out the Mets right now? This is a powerful team with an owner willing to pay a high price to win. As the years go on under Steve Cohen’s reign, I suspect free agency will have to be the best way they can add star players—aside from developing their own.

To stay atop the National League East, it may take a three-run home run or two each game paired with a stellar pitching performance. Jacob deGrom should return this week and Taijuan Walker’s absence shouldn’t last long either.

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The fact that the Mets are in first place (for now) is impressive. They have no business being there. But don’t tell them or the rest of the league. The ability to steal a few victories early on will only help later this year as the team gets closer to full strength and finally has its bats back.