3 trade candidates the Mets should avoid adding at this year's deadline

Any issues the New York Mets may have with their roster this year can be solved at the trade deadline. The front office has shown an aggressiveness to get things done. They’ve wisely identified players who are good for the club on and off the field. There’s a lot of confidence in Sandy Alderson and Billy Eppler.

The offseason is one thing. Every team could potentially make a trade with you. There are plenty of free agent alternatives as well. In the summer, there are buyers, sellers, and the do-nothings. The number of players available are far fewer. Asking prices can, for some, get a little too high.

This summer, as the Mets look to improve their roster, these three players should be avoided.

1) NY Mets trade candidate to avoid: Willson Contreras

I get the desire to make a trade for someone like Willson Contreras. It has nothing to do with the Mets selling one of their top outfield prospects to the Chicago Cubs last year that has me hesitant to take on Contreras this year. The argument is pretty simple. Contreras is a catcher and the Mets have plenty of those.

Contreras would be a massive upgrade over James McCann, Tomas Nido, and Patrick Mazeika at their absolute best. But because he is a catcher, there is another aspect of the game to think about.

Contreras is unfamiliar with the Mets starting pitchers and relievers. Working together on the fly in the middle of a pennant race can have disastrous consequences. It’s an unnecessary risk to take when the Mets could simply just make the DH position better. At that spot in the order, there are no limitations.

The Mets could always add Contreras and carry three catchers with him working the majority of the time as a DH. It feels like kind of a waste, though. His bat, as good as it is, falls well below the power potential the Mets should be seeking.

With time to work with the pitchers in advance of games counting, sure. It’s a nice move to make. When McCann returns, the team would either need to carry three catchers or DFA Tomas Nido. Neither seems palatable. Go after someone else.

3) NY Mets trade candidate to avoid: Every starting pitcher without minor league options

Any starting pitcher without minor league options should be off the table completely. It just doesn’t make sense to bring someone in ahead of the trade deadline when the Mets might have a roster crunch soon after. David Peterson and Trevor Williams have filled in fine. Tylor Megill is on the mend as well. They’re okay.

Those no-options starting pitchers available out there would end up shaking up the rotation too much and not fix any weaknesses the pitching staff may have. Even a guy like Frankie Montas doesn’t make much sense for them. Let another team overpay for his services.

Even guys like Wade Miley or Drew Smyly on the Cubs would be nothing more than temporary solutions. The Mets could always look to move one of them or another starter to the bullpen. This brings us back to Joely Rodriguez and Chasen Shreve not having minor league options. Would a veteran starter translate well as a reliever compared to someone who is more familiar with the role?

There are two things the Mets really do appear to need. They can upgrade the bullpen—an instance when DFA’ing a player like Shreve makes more sense. They also could benefit from adding a big bat to be the DH each day. Preferably, this should be someone who can play third base or the outfield. A first baseman isn’t horrific but someone with a little more versatility could keep the Mets squad just a tiny bit fresher even if the new guy plays once a week in the field.