NY Mets Monday Morning GM: The need for a bat vs. an arm

The case for the Mets to go out there and land a stud starting pitcher

If Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman, and Taijuan Walker are able to have second halves that resemble their first, the team is in pretty good shape. But a three-man rotation doesn’t work. This isn’t the NLDS yet. You need at least four reliable starters and a fifth guy to occasionally dazzle in order to go far—at least for depth purposes.

We’re witnessing now what the Mets could possibly do without making a trade. Tylor Megill is a candidate to eat up a few more starts. My concern with him is a potential innings limit. He’s already nearing a career-high in frames.

We could see the Mets try something they’ve done before or elevate a reliever to the rotation. I don’t find either to be a solution. Sean Reid-Foley and Robert Gsellman are better-suited as relievers this season.

The best hope, outside of a trade, is for Carlos Carrasco to get healthy. Hope, though, isn’t a winning recipe.

Just about every option the club could do has been exhausted. Corey Oswalt isn’t going to finally look fantastic on the mound. Jared Eickhoff is filler material.

I do think the Mets can still clinch a division title without adding a fourth big league starter. However, they risk having a fractured rotation if even one of the big healthy three goes down with an ailment.

A returning David Peterson could help alleviate some of the pain, but even he hasn’t been so effective this season. The Mets are flirting with danger by not making any trade for a starter. Is it what the club needs most?

Do the Mets need a bat or an arm more?

In an ideal world, Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunn don’t turn down that bus of bikini models at the end of Dumb and Dumber. Our world is far from ideal. Did you see the Dumb and Dumber sequel?

An ideal world for the Mets would include a trade that helps both the rotation and the offense. There are a couple of trades out there we could see them pull off.

One many people have suggested is a trade with the Minnesota Twins to acquire Jose Berrios and Josh Donaldson. A possible solution to the rotation and the weak bats, this is the definition of a win-now move. The team gets a young stud pitcher and an overpriced bat that can still help them.

In a similar fashion, the Colorado Rockies provide us with some choices. Pair Charlie Blackmon up with Jon Gray or German Marquez then call it a day. This one isn’t as good because of Blackmon’s defensive limitation. I would prefer a third baseman which could then allow Davis to sometimes move to a corner outfield to continue to get regular playing time.

The slipping Chicago Cubs could also provide the Mets with a fine duo of Kris Bryant plus an arm. Realistically, the Mets may need to settle on one big piece.

Constantly torn between the two, we have witnessed this year how effective the Mets can be even without the best offense. Pitching has carried them. Would one more excellent starter make them better or would an everyday player to contribute each day be more valuable?

I wish I could give you an answer. I really do. But each time I weigh these options, I can’t decide. The offense is so bad at times that I know the answer is to go out there and swing a trade for a bat. Then I see nights like the one the Mets had against the Pittsburgh Pirates last Friday and I wonder if the lineup is just a sleeping giant waiting to explode.

We know the Mets bats have yet to reach their potential and the pitchers (for the most part) have pitched out of their minds this season. I want to say I’m leaning toward a starting pitcher reinforcement.

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I’ll leave the decision up to you, Mets fans. What is it you think the team needs more? Comment, debate, share this on social media with your two cents, or go to the nearest window, open it, and scream out your answer. One of us knows what’s best. I’d like to hear it.