NY Mets: 4 players at the top of my trade deadline wish list

JUPITER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 22: A detail of a New York Mets hat during a spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 22: A detail of a New York Mets hat during a spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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May 18, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Taylor Rogers (55) delivers a pitch in the ninth inning abasing the Chicago White Sox at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Taylor Rogers (55) delivers a pitch in the ninth inning abasing the Chicago White Sox at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Taylor Rogers

One of the bigger surprises this year for teams that are struggling has to be the Twins. They won the AL Central in back-to-back years but this year sit at 22-35, last in the division and the second-worst record in the American League. One of their strengths coming into this year in my opinion was their bullpen. Alex Colome and Taylor Rogers were supposed to be a dominant closer duo. Colome has disappointed, Rogers has been very solid. Considering the Twins are likely to be out of contention, I think Rogers is a guy that is very likely to get dealt at the deadline.

The Mets signed Aaron Loup to be their lefty out of the bullpen. While he’s been pretty good so far, I don’t really like the idea of only one lefty in the bullpen. Once guys like Carlos Carrasco and Noah Syndergaard come back, I’m sure that one of Joey Lucchesi or David Peterson will go to the bullpen and could be that second lefty, but I’d rather the Mets trade for someone like Rogers.

Rogers is a guy who has been a very effective reliever for the entirety of his career and is someone I would trust to get big left-handed hitters out. In the National League East alone there’re three left-handed boppers that scare the life out of me in any big moment. Those guys are reigning MVP Freddie Freeman, former MVP Bryce Harper, and future MVP Juan Soto.

In his career, Rogers has held lefties to a .205/.269/.288 slash line allowing just seven home runs in 400 plate appearances.

Rogers has one year of arbitration left following this year so the Mets will have an extra year of team control with him if they decide to pull the trigger on a deal. Considering the Twins will likely be out of contention and eager to get something for him before his value worsens as an expiring contract, I think the Mets should try to get something done.

While he is dominant against lefties, he can also get a righty out. A setup core of Lugo, Castro, May, and Rogers in front of Edwin Diaz should be lights out. He would be a huge addition to an already really solid bullpen.

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