3 Pirates players the Mets should already be scouting for a trade

With the New York Mets sitting in first place in the National League East and looking like a legitimate contender in the National League, they will undoubtedly be buyers at the trade deadline. However, with the team seeing injuries on the pitching staff beginning to pile up, with Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Tylor Megill all being on the Injured List, it's possible the team will start seeking a trade sooner rather than later.

There are several teams that the team will likely engage in trade talks with, and one of them will undoubtedly be the Pittsburgh Pirates.

NY Mets Trade Target: Jose Quintana

While the starting rotation has been one of the team's greatest strengths thus far, injuries are truly testing the team's depth. In addition to the three already mentioned, Joey Lucchesi is still out, recovering from his Tommy John surgery from last year as well.

With so many injuries arising, the potential for more to come, and the fact that a team can never have too much pitching depth, the Mets are likely to be in the market for a starting pitcher. One who could be a perfect match is Jose Quintana.

The 33-year old left hander is a one time All Star, but has not been the same pitcher since he left the Chicago White Sox. During his tenure with the White Sox, Quintana was one of the most reliable pitchers in baseball, throwing 200 innings or more in four of his six seasons with the team, while also registering a 3.51 ERA, according to Baseball Reference.

Despite regressing after leaving the White Sox in 2017, Quintana has had a resurgence in Pittsburgh this season, registering a 2.43 ERA in his first 40.2 innings pitched. The lefty is a soft tosser, who doesn't generate a ton of whiffs, but has managed to limit damage, and has been solid at picthing to contact throughout his career. While he struck out a few more batters during his prime, thus far this season, Quintana has been a reliable veteran arm, who would join David Peterson as a left-hander in the rotation for the Mets.

Due to his early season success potentially not being sustainable, combined with his age, Quintana likely won't cost too much in a trade, and could be a nice option for the Mets to bring in as depth and a fill in in the rotation, until their big guns return.