3 teams to potentially raid at the trade deadline

New York Mets v Cincinnati Reds
New York Mets v Cincinnati Reds / Dylan Buell/GettyImages
1 of 3
Next

The MLB trade deadline provides three different options for clubs. They can be buyers, sellers, or find themselves caught in between the two. The New York Mets are very much into buy mode. They have a chance to be Vikings this summer and raid other teams for trade assets.

These three teams might be able to provide the Mets with the most help with two or more viable trade candidates on each roster.

1) NY Mets can raid the Tigers by trading for 2 of their bullpen pieces

There are two specific relief pitchers the Mets should look at on the Detroit Tigers. One is Michael Fulmer. The other is Andrew Chafin. While the Tigers have a few other guys playing well this year, they might not be as available. It’s the upcoming free agents and players on bigger contracts we should be looking at on this club.

A Fulmer reunion with the Mets could give them another right-handed option in the bullpen with some closer experience. Better used in the seventh or eighth inning, he could turn out to be an improvement over Drew Smith whose struggles of late have some Mets fans questioning what’s next for the once productive reliever. It could be a little difficult to find a spot for him in the bullpen unless the team did demote Drew Smith or possibly even Seth Lugo. A lot would depending on how many lefties they plan to carry.

On the subject of lefties, Chafin would be a major improvement. He’d essentially turn out to be a replacement for Chasen Shreve and possibly even Joely Rodriguez whose time with the club could be over soon. Billy Eppler may need to admit Rodriguez was not the man for the job. Unfortunately, this means designating him for assignment to clear the roster spot.

2) NY Mets can raid the Rockies for a variety of needs

The Colorado Rockies have a couple of less-talked about trade candidates on their roster. On the mound, closer Daniel Bard and starting pitcher Kyle Freeland could make sense for the Mets. More so, it’s Freeland to keep an eye on. As a left-handed starter with minor league options, he might be a nice buy for the club to stash in Triple-A for depth. The only downside is that the Mets might have to pay a high price for someone they’d hope never actually has to pitch a major league game for them—assuming the other starters remain healthy.

The bats they can trade to the Mets might get fans a little more tingly. Charlie Blackmon could be a DH option for occasional outfield starts. Less flexible in the field is C.J. Cron. The Rockies first baseman has been clobbering home runs for a good chunk of the season. Might he end up as a solution for the rest of the year in a near-hitter-exclusive role?

None of these players should cost a lot. Oddly enough, it might be Freeland, arguably the player have the least productive year, that would require the best prospects. This is would be because the others are either pending free agents or on large contracts Colorado would possibly want to move.

All of these guys are worth a phone call.

3) NY Mets can raid the Reds for 2 major upgrades

It’s the Cincinnati Reds that may actually supply the Mets with upgrades at two areas they might not necessarily be in the market for. Eduardo Escobar hasn’t had the type of season they have wanted. This is where Brandon Drury, a member of last year’s club, comes in.

Drury has been an amazing player for the Reds this season and should lead the team in home runs and RBI rather easily. He might even challenge for the club’s batting title. As poorly as things have gone for the Reds, signing him is one of the few bright spots.

Then there’s the name we all know too well. Luis Castillo. The Reds starting pitcher has been an option for the Mets ever since Cincinnati began to sell. He stayed put but if they did want to add the best possible starting pitcher trade candidates out there, he’d be the guy to get.

Tyler Mahle would be the other potential Reds player to raid from their roster. However, a recent injury might make him less tempting. He would be good for depth the same way Colorado’s Freeland would be because of the minor league options remaining.

Any deal with the Reds involving Castillo is going to sting the farm system hard as he should have a lot of suitors now and even into the future. Drury is much more easily attainable and possibly a utility man the Mets should gamble on reuniting with add some flexibility. The downside might be that they run out of space on the roster quickly.

Next. 3 late-inning relievers the Mets have already scouted. dark

Next