5 under-the-radar Mets trade candidates if the team sells this summer

3) DJ Stewart

The Mets have a minor league option remaining on DJ Stewart. It’s pretty significant and by avoiding a demotion they allow themselves room for next season to send him to the minors based on how the rest of the roster shapes up. Furthermore, it makes him a more appealing trade piece they could sell at the deadline.

Teams looking for a right-handed power bat could go after Vientos. Those looking for a lefty swinger to platoon with someone should target Stewart. A few years older than Vientos, his ability to play the corner outfield spots might be a bigger bonus than Vientos at both corners.

Stewart is a fine player for the Mets. However, they showed in the spring they’d prefer to have someone else. Stewart was the last man to make the roster out of camp. He has proved himself worthy of a major league role. The difficulty is getting him into the games. The Mets aren’t built for a roster with Stewart and everyday DH J.D. Martinez.

Unless a team offers something really sweet, the Mets are probably better off holding onto Stewart and doing everything they can to prevent him from going to the minors. An ability to hold him in Triple-A next year could be a huge help.