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

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.