3 Mets trade targets to fill all 3 of their biggest needs

The New York Mets arrive halfway through the season with a record above .500 and competing for a postseason berth. The organization is in a position to be buyers on the way to the trade deadline, which opens the possibility of improving in areas that require players with more consistent performance.

The Mets' offense has been hot in recent weeks, and the starting pitching has enough depth to cover the needs for the remainder of the season, with a Kodai Senga on his way to MLB. However, the team's bullpen and bench need to improve considerably if the team intends to make a serious push to achieve a playoff berth and be competitive on the way to a World Series. This is why three specific areas need to be covered to achieve this.

1) Left-handed hitter and fourth outfielder

There is no doubt that the Mets require a corner outfielder off the bench with consistent offensive production, something the Mets have not been able to obtain since Starling Marte's injury. Tyrone Taylor, D.J. Stewart, and Jeff McNeil, who can play the position occasionally, have not been able to post an OPS close to .700, creating an offensive void when they are in the lineup.

To solve this situation, the Mets need to look at the trade market to improve in this area, where Jesse Winker could be the perfect fit. Winker is a hitter known to Mets fans who are having a good year at the plate with the Washington Nationals, posting an OPS above .800 thanks to his power and ability to get on base.

Winker is a proven MLB bat with splits that demonstrate a better role against right-handed pitchers against whom the Mets have presented more problems this year with a bat with a poor OBP below .320. In addition to this factor, Winker has proven to be an efficient defensive outfielder with an arm value in the top 3% of the league.

Even with Marte's return to the field and given the few internal options in MLB and the team's minor league circuit, Winker presents himself as an ideal immediate solution for the Mets in terms of offense and defense, offering the flexibility of a left-handed hitter in the lineup. The cost of acquiring this player would be relatively low because he would be a free agent at the end of the season, giving the Mets a productive bat without sacrificing high-end prospects.