If the NY Mets were willing to trade Jose Butto, they should be open to this player

Trading Jose Butto opened the New York Mets up to adding Ryan Helsley even if it’s Tyler Rogers who technically replaced him on the roster. In a crowded bullpen, the team is headed toward the point of losing any reasonable flexibility. The important thing is to always have the best possible players available. But as we’ve seen countless times, the number of bodies in your militia is as important as the artillery.

Bumped up against the ropes with roster flexibility, the trading of Butto became necessary even if it wasn’t going to involve the acquisition of Rogers. The team needs at least one roster spot, more desirable with two, where they can shuffle a player back and forth from the minor leagues. This is where Ryne Stanek feels a little left out.

Also out of minor league options, or at least able to refuse an assignment, Stanek is now a weak link in the bullpen, a fact he owned up to after the club acquired Helsley. This wouldn’t be the first time a planned contender traded him at the deadline.

Trading Ryne Stanek shouldn’t be out of the question for the Mets today

Once Helsley replaces either Chris Devenski or Rico Garcia on the roster, the Mets will have a bullpen where only Reed Garrett has minor league options. It might be a necessary move to send him to Syracuse at some point out of the lone reason of needing a fresh arm. Don’t worry. He’d be back in time when rosters expand in September.

The team’s need for a six-man rotation at times furthers the necessity to have open roster flexibility. They’ll need to navigate this in a smart way. This has been a talent of David Stearns. So, too, would selling Stanek if it opens up the possibility for yet another bold move they could make.

If it’s starting pitching the Mets want, they don’t have too many options. Moving Clay Holmes to the bullpen would win over fans. But is there room for him at the moment? Trading Stanek accomplishes this. They probably wouldn’t find a match to swap Stanek in a package for a starter. But a contender looking for an affordable bullpen upgrade could consider him.

Let’s not forget how the Seattle Mariners, who were actually trade deadline buyers last year, sent Stanek to the Mets. He isn’t making a lot of money and could help out a lot of clubs. On the Mets, he’s excessive if the plan is to seek out a starting pitcher upgrade before the end of the day.

Should you bet the family farm on it happening? According to the NY Post’s Mike Puma, the team doesn’t believe they will add a starting pitcher.

The Mets haven’t made a trade on July 31 just yet with the focus seemingly on acquiring a center fielder. Tick tock. We’re about 5 hours away from the buzzer.