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

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.