5 NY Mets players who will be off the 40-man roster by the MLB trade deadline

5) Luisangel Acuna

As much as I wanted to put Jared Young here, I just don’t think the Mets have any reason to dump a bat they seemed so high on and can keep stashed in the minor leagues. More realistically, they end up trading Luisangel Acuna before the trade deadline in exchange for some bullpen help.

One could debate if it’s Acuna or Ronny Mauricio who ends up on the chopping block. The team has shown less faith in Acuna this year although they’re not exactly in a rush to give Mauricio much playing time. Mauricio’s ability to play third base better than Acuna can has increased value. With the Mets not deploying Acuna in center field, they’re showing their cards as to which of these two they value less.

Acuna has the obvious name value because of his brother. This won’t necessarily please anyone other than fans in other cities who might trick themselves into thinking he is his older brother.

The Mets definitely seem to be on the verge of trading one of their young infielders. Mauricio’s job might not be safe, but his upside to fill a greater position of need (third base) seems to hold more importance to keep. Acuna may not have gotten a fair shake with how logjammed the infield has become. His bat just doesn’t have that same oomph as Mauricio’s does. A patient and shortstop-needy club might just have a good enough rental reliever to swap for his services.