NY Mets: 1 trade target to consider from each 100-loss team

Mets trade target on the Diamondbacks: Ketel Marte

A far more likely trade for the Mets to make this offseason is one with the Arizona Diamondbacks. This one would bring them Ketel Marte, another outfielder they could add to the mix.

Marte is more than just an outfielder, though. He also has experience on the infield and could become a solution at second base. While not a huge need, I love the flexibility. Plus, how is he only about to play his age 28 season?

Marte is a lifetime .287/.346/.456 hitter with some increased power numbers in recent seasons. He slugged 32 in 2019 while boasting a .329 batting average. This past year, Marte played in only 90 games but did still add 14 home runs and 50 RBI while batting .318.

The Diamondbacks are probably far more willing to trade Marte than the Pirates would be to deal Reynolds. Marte is signed to a team-friendly contract that pays him $8.4 million in 2022, $8 million in 2023, and $10 million in 2024. The latter two years include a team option and a favorable $1 million buyout.

Because of what he brings to the field, I would suspect the market for Marte would be extensive and competitive. A trade for him would be costly but could end up worth it for the Mets. The best of him could still be on the horizon.

Mets trade target on the Orioles: John Means

The Mets actually did try to make this trade with the Baltimore Orioles last offseason. John Means, now best known for throwing a no-hitter, has seen his value increase after this most recent season but not necessarily because of how he performed. Means is kind of average but seems to be one of those arms teams view as a “change of scenery” guy.

Get him out of Camden Yards and maybe his lifetime 3.82 ERA goes down drastically. After all, his 1.07 WHIP is quite remarkable.

Means has been troubled by home runs in his career but with a 3.60 ERA and 3.62 ERA season in his two full campaigns, there are signs of better days ahead.

Means reaches arbitration for the first time this winter so he’s not going to get paid a ton but will see his salary go up. Now might be the best chance for the Orioles to trade him. Already 28 with his next birthday in April, dealing him away now when teams want him could work out in their favor.

The Mets might have a little trouble clearing space in their rotation to make this kind of deal happen. I figure they’re going to bring in at least one guy with number one or two abilities, even if it’s simply to re-sign Marcus Stroman.

Means isn’t a solution for the Mets. I view him more as a complimentary piece and someone to explore adding.

Mets trade targets on the Rangers: Brett Martin

Would you believe the Texas Rangers don’t have much to offer the Mets? Realistically, there aren’t too many great fits. Lefty reliever Brett Martin is probably the best.

Now three years into his MLB career, Martin had gone 7-8 with a 3.75 ERA in 139.1 innings. Last year, he was 4-4 with a 3.18 ERA in 62.1 innings. He held lefties to a .255 batting average which might not seem superb but it’s good enough as the second lefty in the bullpen.

The Mets absolutely need to reunite with Aaron Loup. After what he gave them in 2021, letting him slip away would be criminal.

However, the team could benefit from having at least one other lefty they can trust out of the bullpen. Martin is young, controllable, and not too costly. While the Rangers are running to the market to sell him, they have no reason to hold on too tightly if the Mets can at least give them a decent offer.

It might not be exciting at all to think of the Mets making winter trades for middle relievers. As boring as it is, players like these can make a huge difference. Add in how many free agents the Mets have in their bullpen after the 2022 season, it’s important to start adding controllable guys now before everyone leaves.

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Which other trade targets do you see on the 100-loss clubs?