NY Mets: 3 moves for a perfect trade deadline this month

The first trade deadline with Steve Cohen’s deep and aggressive pockets. You’ll remember where you were for this one, New York Mets fans.

As tame as some of the moves the Mets have made under Cohen, the team has been ready to strike at whatever opportunity they had to improve the roster. While they didn’t always grab headlines in the offseason with their moves, the club is expected to at least do something major before the trade deadline.

They don’t need to get it perfect, but if that was their plan, these three moves would make for—as they say in Mortal Kombat—flawless victory.

A major bat, possibly at third base, is a huge win for the Mets

Kris Bryant. Kris Bryant. Kris Bryant. He’s the Marcia Brady of the 2021 MLB trade deadline. We hear his name constantly. Maybe if we say it three times he’ll appear in Flushing wearing a Mets uniform.

The Mets’ greatest trade deadline need may not be a bat, but it’s hard to get upset over the idea of doing so. The offense has struggled mightily this year and to get the level of offense a guy like Bryant could bring to the lineup may prevent the team from having those lengthy cold streaks we all got used to.

A blockbuster trade for a third baseman seems to be the main offensive addition the Mets could add. However, there remains a chance we see another spot upgraded. Second base could make sense with Jeff McNeil moving over for third base duties. Adam Frazier has similar positional flexibility as Bryant (more so, in fact) and could become a guy the Mets get all hot and heavy over.

Either way, adding a big power bat or a guy who can hit .300+ for them and boost the offense is essential to winning the trade deadline.

The perfect move: Trade for Kris Bryant

The Mets could use a number three starter to become their number four guy

You’ve heard it all year long: who is going to pitch the next game for the Mets? Injuries to the starting rotation have been plentiful. We haven’t seen Noah Syndergaard or Carlos Carrasco throw a major league pitch for them yet this year. Both have suffered setbacks with only Carrasco anywhere near a return.

The Mets are working with a dominant yet light rotation at the moment. Adding at the trade deadline could secure things and lock up what is shaping up to be one of the greater seasons in club history as far as starting pitching is concerned.

What I would like to see is a number three guy (or better) brought in to be the fourth starter in the rotation. This is always a sign of a great starting five—guys slotted in below where they could be. I know it’s a little arbitrary because number ones don’t always face off against other team’s aces. Just stick with him on this.

I don’t want the Mets wasting their time on guys who have pitched as a number four or five starter this season. They need to do better. Even if Carrasco and Syndergaard are back, who can guarantee they—or someone else—doesn’t go down with an injury?

It doesn’t need to be anyone spectacular. A rental having an awesome year is all the club needs. All-Star Kyle Gibson would be a nice fit and unlikely to go against the Mets’ strategy of keeping the farm system together.

The move: Trade for Kyle Gibson or Jon Gray