NY Mets Trade Rumors: Scouting Merrill Kelly, other Diamondbacks

The New York Mets are on the prowl to add some talent before the trade deadline. The team’s focus has drastically shifted away from adding a bad to instead seeking a starting pitcher. According to the latest Mets trade rumors, the club has already sent scouts to watch Arizona pitcher Merrill Kelly and possibly some other Diamondbacks players.

In his final start of the first half, Kelly had Mets scouts in attendance. Not at all the name I would prefer to see them add, the asking price for him, according to SNY’s Andy Martino, is “high.”

Thank goodness! For a second there, I thought the Mets were about to spend their best assets on adding a 32-year-old with less than 50 career MLB starts. He’s already older than teammate Madison Bumgarner.

This may not be the end of Mets trade rumors in the desert

As I profile previously, the Diamondbacks do have a couple of players that would fit in with the Mets. We already know Ketel Marte is likely off the table. However, former Big Apple infielder Asdrubal Cabrera has been previously linked to his ex-club in past Mets trade rumors.

Fitting Cabrera on this roster would have been odd prior to Francisco Lindor’s injury. Still an imperfect match, he probably wouldn’t cost much at all.

The only other bat with any shot at landing at Citi Field in the next few days is third baseman Eduardo Escobar. The power-hitting All-Star probably isn’t a consideration anymore given how much more the Mets need an arm.

The Diamondbacks do possess one other arm that might be a good fit. Caleb Smith is a lefty starter/reliever who up until recently was having a very good year. His ERA has gotten a little more inflated in recent starts. I still wouldn’t be opposed to seeing his name appear in any upcoming Mets trade rumors.

When trying to piece together what the Mets will do in the next week and a half, I think it’s mid-level starting pitchers they will seek out most. A guy like Kelly or Smith could transition into a lesser role if a miracle happens and the Mets suddenly have a fully healthy rotation. It’s something we haven’t seen all year long.

Want your voice heard? Join the Rising Apple team!

Write for us!

Like anyone with common sense though, I would prefer to see a bigger splash. Why be cheap and add a lesser pitcher when you need much more? The division is right there for the taking.