NY Mets rumors: Trade for All-Star would enhance the lineup, keep Jeff McNeil in CF

Luis Robert has been a major focus of many New York Mets rumors these past days with Joel Sherman dropping an even more pleasant one on Monday. According to him, the Mets have expressed interest in Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe who may be available this week.

In a league with three notable players with the name Lowe right now, it’s Brandon who would be the most compelling addition to the Mets. The Tampa Bay Rays second baseman is currently on the IL with foot/ankle tendinitis, but is expected back by July 30.

When it was first announced that the Rays were open to trading him, Mets fans were quick to fantasize about the possibility. With Sherman’s reporting of true interest by the Mets, we can ponder more realistically about what the Mets lineup could look like with him dead center within.

Mets rumors of their interest in Brandon Lowe creates a whole new perspective on what the team could look like on August 1

Adding a center fielder seemed to be the most practical option for the Mets with Robert or his lesser counterpart, Cedric Mullins, added before the deadline. The possibility of a bat like Eugenio Suarez seemed out of reach only because of how many other internal options the team already had on their roster. They’ve gotten enough out of Brett Baty. As a vastly improved defense player and an increasingly more productive bat, the Mets are managing without Mark Vientos replicating last year’s numbers.

Make these Mets rumors come true and the team suddenly has an upgrade at a position we didn’t think would have too many options. Lowe becomes a power-hitting, left-handed second baseman. McNeil remains a regular in center field with Tyrone Taylor as the late-inning defensive substitute. Depending on other trade deadline fallout and the health of Jesse Winker, McNeil could always see some more starts in either corner outfield spot with some extra time to DH for Brandon Nimmo and Juan Soto.

Lowe has a team option at $11.5 million for next season. More than worth that amount, the Mets would be buying who has quietly averaged 33.7 home runs per 162 games in his career. He popped off 39 of them in 2021. He has 19 already this season.

There will be some sort of sacrifice this week for the Mets. A sweetheart offer to the Rays for Lowe requires two: the best defense in center field possible and prospects. But the benefit of it might outweigh the cost. Lowe should be an in-demand player and costly because the Rays don’t have the necessity to move him yet. I’d doubt Tampa Bay sells him for anything short of a haul. In a thin second base market, he is easily the best on the trade block.