2 Diamondbacks who feel like more reasonable NY Mets trade targets than Ketel Marte

Ketel Marte is a strange fit for the Mets. These two lesser players might be more reasonable.
Philadelphia Phillies v Arizona Diamondbacks
Philadelphia Phillies v Arizona Diamondbacks | Chris Coduto/GettyImages

Talk about surprising New York Mets rumors. Who expected to see the Mets were interested in trading for Ketel Marte? Interest is one thing. Action is another.

Fans are still trying to figure out exactly how this might work. Second base is occupied by Marcus Semien. Marte wasn’t a very good center fielder in the past. Left field? Eh. Marte is way too good of a second baseman to have to shift there.

Meanwhile, there are some other Arizona Diamondbacks who could fit the Mets roster a little better. This pair was reportedly placed on the trade block back in November.

These two Diamondbacks players are an easier match for the Mets than Ketel Marte

1) Alek Thomas

A center fielder who has played the position well in the past, he’s a left-handed swinger who’s only 25-years-old. He’d actually match well as a platoon partner of Tyrone Taylor’s to begin the year. He’s a lifetime .245/.291/.386 hitter against right-handed pitchers. Below the Mendoza Line versus lefties, Thomas is absolutely a part-timer.

The added bonus with Thomas is he has a minor league option remaining. He'd be a great fit to give the Mets added flexibility as they await an answer as to whether or not Carson Benge is ready for the majors.

2) Jake McCarthy

There’s also Jake McCarthy, another outfielder the Diamondbacks could subtract from their roster. A little older at 28, he’s more corner outfield depth who swings from the left side. McCarthy stole 20+ bases in each year from 2022-2024. Playing much less last season and with just a .204 batting average, the Mets would be buying low on him.

McCarthy doesn't have a minor league option left, making him a riskier yet maybe less costly buy. The Mets would need to plan to have him be one of their main squeezes in the outfield. Because he is less of a center fielder, it would probably work best if the Mets made an additional trade for Luis Robert Jr.

Neither comes close to the kind of production Marte would bring to the Mets. However, with the Diamondbacks seeking pitching in exchange for him, the obvious place to turn any conversation is toward smaller fits.

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