A way too perfect NY Mets target to go after if they’re willing to trade Jonah Tong

MLB.com’s Mike Petriello wasn’t the first to suggest it, but he’s one of the latest to bring it up again. Back when the New York Mets weren’t so sure if Pete Alonso would be back or not, an idea was hinted at for the team as a way to get power without having to pay a high dollar amount. In came couresty the idea of trading for Athletics outfielder Tyler Soderstrom.

There’s a lot to really like about this. Soderstrom is a former 26th overall pick who moved from first base to left field last year and was a Gold Glove finalist. He’ll play all of next season at 24-years-old. If there was a target to give up Jonah Tong for, this is the guy.

Jonah Tong is one of the best Mets prospects, but Tyler Soderstrom helps them fill a different need perfectly

Soderstrom is on the rise and finding his place as a top defender in left field should have the Mets calling the Athletics about what it would take to acquire him. Tong’s rise to prominent prospect came much differently. He was drafted in the 7th round and had to pitch his way into relevancy. He has been incredible over the last two seasons to the point where some Mets fans would stop for a second to think if he’s worth giving up even for Tarik Skubal. Soderstrom, with team control through 2029, is a little too irresistible at the moment.

Petriello’s assessment isn’t deep and was to resolve the Mets’ need for a center fielder or left fielder. If the Mets aren’t moving Juan Soto across the field, it would make sense to go after a slugger who can field the position well, too. Cody Bellinger will cost a lot of money as will Kyle Tucker. Luis Robert Jr., in center field, is as temporary as it gets and a payroll hit the Chicago White Sox want the Mets to take more money than they’d prefer.

Soderstrom’s 25 home runs and 93 RBI came with a .274/.346/.474 slash line. He had some similar splits against lefties and righties, performing better against righties as expected for this lefty swinger. Was it all just playing in Sacramento? His .837 OPS on the road versus .804 at home tears that worry apart.

The benefit of Soderstrom gives the Mets an immediate solution in left field as well as flexibility at first base. He could, in theory, start off in left field and maybe shift to first base more permanently if Carson Benge was to be the better choice defensively.

Tong, meanwhile, is one of several important pitching prospects and maybe the second-best to only Nolan McLean. Deciding who to trade and who to hold is the important decision for the Mets to make. They can continue to go short-term with additions like they have. But if you’re going to trade some like Tong, getting a controllable player who did what Soderstrom last year might be one of the only ways to justify it.