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.

NY Mets Trade Target: David Bednar

In addition to starting rotation help, the Mets are in need of some bullpen help. Unlike the rotation that needs the help due to injuries, the bullpen is just the weak spot on the Mets roster, and could use at least one reinforcement.

One potential reinforcement the team could add is David Bednar, the closer for the Pirates. The 27-year-old right-handed reliever is in only his second full big league season and broke out last year in his first full season, and his first season with the Pirates.

After struggling in his few appearances as a Padre in 2019 and 2020, Bednar appears to have settled in at the Major League level. Last season he went 3-1 with a 2.23 ERA in 60.2 innings, while registering an 11.4 Strikeout/ 9 innings. While he wasn't the closer for Pittsburgh, he established himself as a trustworthy arm in their bullpen, and earned the closer job this season.

Now entrenched as the closer, and top arm out of the bullpen for the Pirates, Bednar has been even better than last season. Not only has he proven he was not a fluke last season, but he has also proven that he can go multiple innings, and save games.

As a result, he will be the most sought after trade piece on the Pirates ahead of the Trade Deadline. Combining his age, salary, and the fact that teams always need relievers at the Deadline, and it's easy to see why he will be an expensive trade piece, who will be highly sought after. While the price could be too rich for the Mets, the team should absolutely be in the bidding, and should acquire him if the price is right.