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5 Mets players who belong on on the trade block right now

By Zachary Rotman |
Sep 13, 2023; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets catcher Omar Narvaez (2) and New York Mets
Sep 13, 2023; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets catcher Omar Narvaez (2) and New York Mets / Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
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The New York Mets have had an active offseason. Sure, they haven't added the big names we've become accustomed to seeing in recent offseasons, but they've made plenty of moves and should be better than they were in 2023.

It feels that the Mets are just about done in free agency after fortifying the bullpen with the signings of Adam Ottavino, Shintaro Fujinami, and Jake Diekman. Barring a change in the DH market, most of this team is what we'll see on Opening Day.

While free agency could be coming to a close, trades are certainly possible. No, Pete Alonso won't be dealt, at least not yet, but these five players are on the block right now.

1) Drew Smith

The best player that could be on the trade block right now is Drew Smith, a capable reliever who has had some good moments in a Mets uniform but is coming off a down year. With all of the additions the Mets have made in the bullpen, Smith looks as expendable as he has in recent years.

The right-hander was able to stay healthy and on the active roster for the entire season for the first time in his career, but he never quite found any sort of consistency, posting a 4.15 ERA in 62 appearances and 56.1 innings of work. He did keep the ball in the ballpark at a much-improved rate, but the tradeoff that came with that was inconsistent command, issuing 4.6 BB/9 and an 11.9% walk rate.

Smith is what he is at this point. He's a fine middle reliever but is not the late-game arm that the Mets hoped he'd be by this point. With Smith entering his final year of team control, the team could look to get something for him now, rather than go through what could be another uneven year and then lose him for nothing.

The 30-year-old being out of options limits flexibility. Acquiring someone who could come with team control might be a wise decision.

2) Phil Bickford

Phil Bickford was a player that the Mets acquired at the trade deadline when they needed arms to finish out the year. The right-hander broke out in a big way in 2021 but struggled in 2022 and 2023 with the Dodgers, so the Mets hoped a change of scenery might get him closer to his 2021 form. Things didn't get off to a great start with Bickford in a Mets uniform, but the way he finished certainly gave David Stearns something to think about.

His 4.62 ERA in 25 appearances in a Mets uniform is nothing to write home about, but Bickford allowed just one earned run in 10.2 innings pitched in 12 September appearances. He pitched well enough to be tendered a contract for the 2024 season.

It looked like the right-hander had a guaranteed spot in the bullpen considering the fact that he is out of minor league options, but with all of the bullpen additions the Mets have made, it's now far from a guarantee.

It'd be a pretty bad look for the Mets to guarantee Bickford a contract for the 2024 season and then DFA him before Opening Day, leaving the possibility for a trade to occur. The Mets won't get much in return, but with how well he pitched down the stretch, teams in need of some extra bullpen depth could show interest.

3) Omar Narvaez

Signing Omar Narvaez last offseason made some sense as he represented a clear upgrade over James McCann, but guaranteeing him a second year never made sense at the time and looks a whole lot worse after everything that transpired last season.

Narvaez missed much of the season due to injury and did next to nothing when healthy, posting a .580 OPS in 146 plate appearances. As long as Francisco Alvarez is healthy Narvaez won't see much action, and with Tomas Nido in the minors the Mets don't exactly need to hold onto the veteran backstop, especially if they don't think he can produce much offensively.

Mike Puma of the NY Post reported earlier this offseason that the Mets have made Narvaez available. While it's hard to see any team showing interest in him at the $7 million figure he's owed, there could be interest if the Mets eat most or all of the contract. Steve Cohen has shown time and time again that he's willing to eat money for the right deal. Getting anything back for Narvaez would be the right deal.

It's hard to see a deal involving Narvaez occurring in the offseason, but once Spring Training starts, there's a chance catchers around the league get dinged up. If teams are looking for a veteran catcher for cheap, Narvaez could be one they turn to. Having Nido as a safety net makes him more than expendable.

4) Yohan Ramirez

The Mets have made several under-the-radar trades this offseason, one of which netted them Yohan Ramirez for cash considerations. While Ramirez represented some much-needed bullpen depth, the fact that he's out of minor league options makes the deal a bit of a curious one. With the Mets adding several relievers since making this trade, the chances of Ramirez making the Opening Day roster are slim.

While it's hard to see this right-hander having much of a future in Queens, it's easy to see why the Mets gambled on acquiring him. He's made 102 appearances in his MLB career and has posted a 3.99 ERA while striking out more than a batter per inning pitched. While there's some upside, his flaws are also abundantly clear, as Ramirez has issued 5.0 BB/9 in his career.

The Mets can and likely will at some point DFA this right-hander and hope he clears waivers, but considering the fact that he's had MLB success, is under 30, and has a live arm, even with his lack of options it's very possible that he gets claimed. Making the trade only to lose him for nothing without seeing him pitch wouldn't be ideal, so it's possible that the Mets look to flip him again possibly for cash considerations.

Ramirez would be an extremely useful depth option if he could be optioned to the minors. His inability to be optioned makes his path to a roster spot reliant on some injuries occurring in the bullpen. Getting something for him rather than bank on the unlikelihood of him cracking the Opening Day roster would be wise.

5) Max Kranick

What do you know, another arm that can't be optioned! Max Kranick is another pitcher that the Mets acquired this offseason without a clear path to making the roster. Barring a major shock, it feels like he's headed in the same direction as players like Cooper Hummell and Tyler Heineman who were both traded for cash considerations.

There's nothing in this league more valuable than starting pitching. That's something we've learned, especially this offseason. While Kranick only has nine MLB starts in his career, he could be decent starting pitching depth for some teams out there. He does have a 3.55 ERA in 79 minor league appearances (74 starts), so there is some talent there.

Trading Kranick away would sting a tiny bit as he did grow up a Mets fan, but if the Mets get something in exchange for a player they claimed off of waivers, even if it's cash considerations, that's a very clear win. With the Mets having decent starting pitching depth options, it's hard to even see them relying on Kranick to start for them this season without a slew of injuries.

If there isn't interest around the league in Kranick, it's possible that the Mets DFA him and keep him in Syracuse if he clears waivers. With starting pitching being at such a premium, it's hard to see that happening, though.

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