3 perfect NY Mets roster moves that need to happen

The MLB offseason isn’t close to winding down although the stove seems to be simmering in the last few days. The New York Mets remain relatively quiet, lurking in the tall grass ready to pounce.

It has been a weird offseason for the Mets. We’re taught to think of math in terms of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. They began with subtraction and are now in the process of multiplication, needing to add several more players to the roster to complete the offseason.

These three moves would be perfect for the Mets to build a better team and finally call checkmate on the year.

1) Sign Kyle Tucker

It has gotten to the point where if the Mets don’t sign Kyle Tucker we’ll be disappointed. The longer he loiters in free agency, the more it feels like he ends up with the Alex Bregman contract from last year only maybe a little more expensive. A short-term and high AAV deal for Tucker makes too much sense at this point. Coming off of a down year with the Chicago Cubs, he’s right in line to rebound somewhere else and get something closer to the contract everyone believed he’d originally sign.

Tucker on the Mets does a few things. His presence should move Juan Soto to left field although that’s the smallest concern of all. What he does is give the middle of the order a much-needed power boost and protection behind Soto. It doesn’t matter much that they both swing left-handed or that Carson Benge is likely to join them in the outfield soon enough, also swinging from the same side. Tucker and Soto are two of the best hitters in baseball. It doesn’t matter if it’s a lefty, righty, or Pat Venditte.

From a PR stance, there isn’t anything better for the Mets to do than wash away the doubts than land Tucker. Cody Bellinger is a fine player, but he’s not Tucker. The great benefit of a short-term deal is it wouldn’t even be a major bummer if he’s gone in a year or two. Understanding the Mets are heavily invested in their young prospects, we’d accept a one-and-done scenario as long as they seriously improve the club elsewhere if needed.

This is the precise situation the Mets seem to be waiting for. It’s too good to not come true.

2) Trade for Freddy Peralta

If it cost the Chicago Cubs their number one prospect for Edward Cabrera, what’ll the Milwaukee Brewers demand for Freddy Peralta? The years of control for Cabrera is certainly a factor while Peralta is only a year away from free agency. But he’s far more accomplished and probably getting paid less than a third of what he would per year if he was a free agent. The Brewers should be asking for a haul.

It’s going to be a painful trade to acquire Peralta which is why the Mets have yet to do it. They haven’t answered other roster questions. As a result, they’ve been forced to hold off on making a godfather offer.

Peralta is the exact kind of pitcher the Mets should be willing to go after. It probably means a top pitcher, position player, and another player at the bare minimum. If we’re trying to match what the Cubs paid for Cabrera, something along the lines of Jonah Tong, Ryan Clifford, and a lesser prospect seems to make sense.

David Stearns’ connection to the Milwaukee Brewers hasn’t done the Mets much good because of how competitive they’ve been and the lack of true blockbuster sell-off deals they have made. We’re happy about the team picking up Tyrone Taylor and what he has done for the Mets in his two years. Peralta would be lightyears better. He makes the Mets rotation legitimate.

3) Trade David Peterson or Kodai Senga for a bat or significant bullpen arm

There are probably five total moves the Mets need to make, but the last perfect one involves sending David Peterson or Kodai Senga elsewhere in exchange for immediate help. This will come in the form of either a bat or a significant bullpen arm.

The positions of need, if they were to sign Tucker and trade for Peralta, should have the Mets focused on additional outfield depth (maybe a center fielder even) as well as first base. Luis Robert Jr. isn’t coming to the Mets for either of them. Christian Walker doesn’t seem to make much sense with the way the Houston Astros have completely filled up their rotation.

The Baltimore Orioles remain a good trade candidate with the Mets. If they don’t end up with Ranger Suarez or Framber Valdez, Peterson or Senga could make sense. The Los Angeles Angels are another team who seem to at least try to compete. Could they have something to offer the Mets?

We still need to think about the idea of the Mets and San Diego Padres finalizing a deal. They still have room in their rotation even if they’re not subtracting Nick Pivetta. Ramon Laureano as a position player or Adrian Morejon, Jeremiah Estrada, or even Jason Adam if his medicals aren’t terrifying enough could all be a match. Those fascinating trade possibilities with San Diego remain fully in place with neither ball club completely shutting the other out from all of the ideas we thought of back in December.