Mets trade offers from a Reds fan over at Blog Red Machine to think about

While New York Mets fans are scrambling for answers as to how the team can stay afloat amid all of the injuries, fans in other parts of the country are wondering if they have anything they can offer as help.

This isn’t a life raft they are throwing out to the Mets. Not at all. They’re reaching a paddle out to the Mets in hopes of striking a deal. As with all trades other than the Cameron Maybin for a buck deal, they want something in return.

Over at Blog Red Machine, FanSided’s Cincinnati Reds blog, Drew Koch put together three different trade scenarios the Mets and Reds could explore. They range widely and I thought it was worth looking at each of these trade offers Koch put together not only because he does great work over there but also because the Reds are one of the best trade partners available to the Mets even beyond just these three trades.

Mets trade Robert Gsellman and Jacob Barnes to the Reds for Shogo Akiyama, Jose De Leon, and Ivan Johnson

Let me be upfront right away: I don’t know much about Jose De Leon or Ivan Johnson. They aren’t too important in this trade anyway as the focus is to land Shogo Akiyama to help the depleted outfield. In a nutshell, De Leon is a poor reliever and Johnson is a low-level minor leaguer not hitting too well this year in Single-A.

Meanwhile, Akiyama is in an interesting spot with the Reds right now. The 33-year-old Japanese outfielder is making a lot of money for very little production. With a salary of $7 million this year and another $8 million next, he has profiled as more of a bench player than anything else.

Akiyama wouldn’t be a bad acquisition for the Mets even with his larger than necessary salary. The trouble I see coming in is what the Mets would do when guys start getting healthy. Do they simply send Albert Almora to the minors and replace him with Akiyama? It’s an expensive option.

The Mets aren’t giving up all that much in the deal by trading Jacob Barnes—a guy I suspect gets designated for assignment before the year is through. Robert Gsellman has pitched amazingly well for the club this year as a long man out of the bullpen. If the Mets can move him for a fifth outfielder who can hit somewhat decently, it might be something to think about.

Mets pick up outfielder Tyler Naquin for pitching prospects Jordany Ventura and Michael Otanez

I am not opposed to the Mets giving up their number 21 and 26 ranked prospects in a trade to help the team in 2021. This is what they would be doing if they trade Jordany Ventura and Michael Otanez. It’s tough to know what either will amount to in the big leagues.

We know a little more about Tyler Naquin as he has been a major league for several seasons. The former Cleveland Indians outfielder has found his home run stroke with the Reds this year, already well on pace to set multiple career-highs on offense. Is this because of the ballpark he plays in or the terrific offense around him? If either is the case, the Mets might be buying some fool’s gold.

Naquin was released by the Indians over the winter and didn’t sign with Cincinnati until February. He was rather mediocre in parts of five seasons with Cleveland, never receiving more than the 365 plate appearances he had in his rookie year way back in 2016.

A temporary starter until guys get healthy, Naquin could serve as a possible replacement for Michael Confort if he was to leave for free agency this upcoming offseason. Although a massive downgrade, Naquin could take over as the team’s starting center field and possibly allow Brandon Nimmo to move to right field or even left field depending on whether or not the DH returns.

What I like about this trade is that it improves the Mets immediately and won’t force them to go over the luxury tax. Why does the luxury tax matter with Steve Cohen’s money? It doesn’t, but who likes to pay a penalty?