NY Mets: 3 moves for a perfect trade deadline this month
![NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 05: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets celebrates after scoring a run during the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field on July 05, 2021 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Brewers 4-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Frisingapple-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1327718642-850x560-4e80785ece423892aa760f9afd098cc0.jpg)
![Sep 20, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; A detailed view of the bat and shoes of New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes (7) as he sits in the dugout between inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Frisingapple-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F10305729-31b0cbe885e0a4bc670bbbaa8990dedd.jpg)
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
![May 21, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (0) takes the mound against the Miami Marlins during the sixth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Frisingapple-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F16143291-ec8fd59eb84aebb8c032b3f59ab8f0d0.jpg)
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
![Jul 4, 2021; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Aaron Loup (32) delivers a pitch during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Frisingapple-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F16369564-a3d03b02ed4dba58e3ed7a0257382cbc.jpg)
One more bullpen arm can help us breathe better
I thought for sure the greatest trade deadline need for this club would be a relief pitcher. It’s often what teams shop for most around this time of year. Because, as anyone who has watched more than a season of baseball knows, relief pitchers are the least reliable of all athletes.
They tell you they’ll help you move then they don’t show up. You’re left trying to haul a couch down the stairs by yourself into the UHaul. The neighbors laugh rather than help and you really wish you had made a trade deadline move for a different buddy.
The Mets have gotten much more from their bullpen than anyone could have believed this year. Even so, adding one bullpen arm helps complete the trifecta for a perfect trade deadline.
There are a lot of guys the Mets could look into. What I would like to see most is a lefty. The club has gone almost all year with Aaron Loup as the lone or at least primary southpaw in the bullpen. It hasn’t been a problem because Loup has been terrific and the three-batter minimum rule pretty much eliminates the existence of lefty-specialists.
It would be nice to have at least one other left-handed pitcher to turn to. This doesn’t need to be someone who is unhittable versus lefty hitters. In fact, I would like the balance. His greatest asset might not be so much fooling left-handed hitters as much as it is that he changes the point of view batters see the ball coming from.
The move: Trade for any left reliever and hope it works
This man could decide the NL East. Next
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What do you think would make for a perfect Mets trade deadline this month?