NY Mets: Ranking the top 10 trade targets this offseason

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 14: Detail of the Nike shoes worn by Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on April 14, 2021 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 14: Detail of the Nike shoes worn by Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on April 14, 2021 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 06: Sonny Gray #54 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 06, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 06: Sonny Gray #54 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 06, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

6) Sonny Gray

It’s no mystery that the New York Mets are in dire need of pitching heading into 2022. With the pending departure of Marcus Stroman, Noah Syndergaard and the health of Jacob deGrom more in question than years past, the rotation is something of solidification.

Many expect Syndergaard to accept the $18.4M option extended to him, but if he does return and Stroman doesn’t, the Mets’ rotation certainly has some staggering question marks.

Could Sonny Gray be the answer?

Gray is almost a 10 year veteran now and he’s settled in nicely since making the move to Cincinnati. Over his last three seasons, he’s compiled a 3.58 ERA while averaging 144 Ks per season, good for a 10.8 K/9 ratio. The swing and miss stuff is still there for Gray and while he had a rocky stretch in the Bronx with his time playing for the Yankees, there’s no reason to think that he couldn’t handle being back on the stage of NYC.

The 32 year old is owed $10.2M in 2022 and then has a club option for 2023 for $12M. However, Cincinnati has made it known that they’re looking to shed payroll this offseason and with early rumors of them willing to part in a trade with Luis Castillo, there’s much reason to believe they’d be eager to move an eight-figure contract.