Top 10 Mets trade targets when the lockout ends

Prior to the lockout, the New York Mets were the big winners of the offseason. They signed Starling Marte, Mark Canha, and Eduardo Escobar to help sure up a lineup that finished towards the bottom in runs per game last season all in one day. They then went out and signed Max Scherzer in what might end up being the biggest and most important signing in franchise history.

While the Mets are improved for sure, are they really where they want to be? After spending a ton of money in free agency, it's clear the Mets are all in on this season. When the lockout ends, I expect the Mets to be active trying to improve the roster.

There are a couple of solid bats available in the free agent market like Kris Bryant and Michael Conforto. There're also some arms left who could help sure up the rotation like Clayton Kershaw and Carlos Rodon.

With that being said, the Mets can make the most damage in the trade market. Plenty of big names figure to be available for the taking, and the Mets should consider targeting some of them.

Here are 10 of the best trade targets the Mets should consider when the lockout ends.

10. Mets trade target Sean Manaea

The Oakland Athletics appear to be headed towards a rebuild which means pretty much anybody making a salary above the league minimum figures to be available in a trade. The Athletics are a good team who went 86-76 last season, just missing out on the postseason.

This means they have plenty of good players who the Mets should be interested in. One of these players is starting pitcher Sean Manaea.

Sean Manaea is an amazing candidate to round out the Mets rotation. As of now, the Mets have four starters pencilled into their rotation in Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, Carlos Carrasco, and Taijuan Walker. The fifth starter job appears to be up for grabs with David Peterson and Tylor Megill the leading in-house candidates.

Both Peterson and Megill are fine, but the Mets could use an upgrade and could especially use starting pitching depth. The injuries last season got so bad to the point where the Mets had to rely on guys like Jared Eickhoff and Robert Stock to start games for at the time the first place Mets. Even Tylor Megill who did impress had no business pitching in the major leagues after virtually no experience pitching in the upper minor league levels.

With all of the injury concerns the Mets have in the rotation, Manaea seems like an optimal candidate for the Mets to look into acquiring.

The 30-year old left hander is coming off of a season which saw him go 11-10 with a 3.91 ERA. On the surface that's not super exciting, but his 32 starts and 179.1 innings pitched are what gets me really excited. That along with his 9.7 K/9 and 3.66 FIP contribute to the excitement. Manaea is a guy the Mets can realistically rely upon to eat innings and keep the Mets in games as the fifth starter.

The Mets won't be asking Manaea to go out there pitching seven shutout innings with 15 strikeouts like Jacob deGrom. His role will be to go six strong allow three runs or less and keep the Mets in games. With their improved lineup they should be able to win most of his starts.

Manaea is projected to make $10.2 million dollars this season according to Spotrac. This is his final season of team control. For a rebuilding team like the Athletics looking to cut costs, this is the optimal time for them to trade him. He still has value with a full year on his deal and they will likely lose him for nothing if they hold onto him for the entire season as he doesn't fit into their rebuilding plans.

Manaea is not the biggest name available, but he's a productive starter who won't cost a lot for the Mets to acquire. He should be a top 10 target for them after the lockout ends.

9. Mets trade target Tyler Mahle

I believe the biggest need this Mets team has right now is pitching. Last season, the Mets were in first place for over 100 consecutive days while having an offense that couldn't score runs all season. The Mets consistently scored three runs or fewer but were winning games because of pitching.

Taijuan Walker was an all-star out of nowhere. Marcus Stroman was the most consistent pitcher on the Mets roster delivering consistent quality outings. Jacob deGrom was Jacob deGrom. The Mets collapsed when their starting pitching collapsed. deGrom didn't pitch, Carlos Carrasco was ineffective, and Walker went from an all-star to one of the worst pitchers in baseball.

The Mets need an arm to round out the rotation by providing quality innings. I believe Tyler Mahle would do a great job in that role. The 27 year old finally got a full season in the Reds rotation and pitched extremely well. He went 13-6 with a 3.75 ERA in 33 starts. For a team that seems to be plagued by injuries a lot, Mahle's durability is desperately needed.

Mahle struck out 210 batters in 180 innings pitched, a 10.5 K/9. In his nine starts last season, Mahle struck out 11.3 batters per nine. The ability to strike hitters out is extremely valuable and Mahle seems to have that down. He's struck out 9.6/9 in his career, a very good number. For reference, Jacob deGrom is at 10.7/9, so Mahle is not far behind the best pitcher in the game in that stat.

The one red flag with Mahle is he just doesn't have much experience pitching a full season at the big league level. He made 25 starts in 2019, but was ineffective as he posted a 5.14 ERA that season.

There is a bit of risk with Mahle, but I'm confident that his stuff is so good so he will be fine, especially as a fourth or fifth starter. Mahle is projected to make $5.5 million dollars this season and has one more year of arbitration before entering free agency after the 2023 season. With the Reds looking to sell, Mahle should be a name the Mets are connected with.

7. Mets trade target Sonny Gray

I know what you're thinking already. The narrative around Sonny Gray is that he couldn't handle New York. While he certainly was not at his best during his time as a Yankee, I don't think that is true in the slightest. Gray pointed to the Yankees forcing him to throw too many sliders as the reason that he struggled so much in New York.

Since being traded to the Reds, Gray has relied heavily on his cutter, which has ended up being a very effective pitch for him. Gray has been a very solid arm for the bulk of his career with the Athletics and Reds, so I can understand where he is coming from. Gray has also pitched very well in his postseason career, so he's proven to pitch well when the pressure is at its highest.

Gray has pitched his last three seasons in one of the most hitter friendly ballparks in baseball in Cincinnati. With that in mind, he's still been very good for them. He's gone 23-20 with a 3.49 ERA in 68 starts as a Red, striking out 432 batters in 366.2 innings pitched. His 10.6 K/9 is very impressive.

Gray also showed an ability to keep the ball in the ballpark. Great American Ballpark allows a lot of home runs, but Gray has allowed 1.0 HR/9 as a Red. The issue with Gray is his high walk rate of 3.5 BB/9, but his ability to keep the ball in the yard and strike guys out makes that issue not as bad as it may seem.

By trading for Gray, the Mets would be getting a high end number three starter to follow deGrom and Scherzer. He has four career postseason starts, three of which he pitched well in. He's a two-time all-star and has finished in the top seven of the Cy Young balloting twice in his career.

The 32 year old is set to make $10.2 million dollars this season, and has a team option for $12 million dollars next season. The Reds are going to be entering a rebuild so Gray figures to be on the move at some point in the near future as he is older with not much team control left. They can get more for him now than if they waited until the final year of his deal.

The good part about Gray's deal is it gives the Mets a way out. If the New York issues are real, the Mets can get rid of Gray immediately after the 2022 season. They don't have to exercise his team option. If he's the pitcher I believe he is, they will be very satisfied with paying him $12 million dollars next season as well.

Noah Syndergaard got $21 million dollars for one season after pitching just two innings in two seasons. Sonny Gray is set to make $22 million dollars for two seasons after three really solid seasons in Cincinnati. It's a no brainer for the Mets to try and add this guy to their rotation.

6. Mets trade target Josh Hader

I believe Josh Hader is the best reliever in baseball. He's a lefty who might be the most entertaining pitcher to watch not named Jacob deGrom. He throws hard, has a wipe out slider, and a devastating changeup.

The reason he's so not the number one guy on my list is because he's a reliever. Relievers are very volatile. It seems impossible to predict whether they will pitch well or not year after year. I've always been against long-term deals for relievers and am against trading hefty prospect packages for one, no matter how good he is.

Josh Hader is on this list because of how good he is. The Mets absolutely must inquire and see just how much it'll cost them to land Hader. The 27 year old is projected to make $8 million dollars this season according to spotrac and has one more year of team control after that. The Brewers have been toying with the idea of trading Hader for a couple of years now so I believe that trade will happen sometime.

Hader would be a great fit for this Mets bullpen. I'm not a believer in the traditional closer, I'd rather have my best reliever face the toughest parts of the lineup. I believe Hader should be used in the highest leverage spots where a tough lefty might be coming up with Edwin Diaz doing the same with righties.

There is nobody other than Jacob deGrom that I'd trust more to get a guy like Bryce Harper or Juan Soto out in a big spot.

In the beginning of his career, Hader was used in that kind of role. He'd pitch in the high leverage spots at different times during the game. In the 2018 season he made 55 appearances for the Brewers and tallied 12 saves with 21 holds. He recorded three outs or more 31 times and had a 2.43 ERA while striking out 15.8/9. He was an all-star and finished seventh in the National League Cy Young balloting.

I don't think the Mets would or should use Hader for more than three outs often, but it's good to know that he's capable in that role.

In terms of what the Mets would have to give up, I have absolutely no idea. He will probably cost more than I'd prefer, especially knowing the Mets would have to commit long term to Hader, but he's so good to the point where it might be worth it.

Hader went 4-2 with a 1.23 ERA in 60 appearances for the Brewers in 2021. He converted 42 saves in 43 opportunities, the only blown save coming on a home run off the bat of Jose Peraza. Hader struck out 15.6/9 and allowed just three home runs in 58.2 innings pitched, a 0.5 HR/9.

The Mets should not give up prospects like Brett Baty or Francisco Alvarez for Hader, but I'd be willing to potentially entertain some other prospect package for the best reliever in the game.

5. Mets trade target Frankie Montas

The Athletics have three pitchers the Mets should be interested in. Chris Bassitt is a guy I think is really solid and would be just outside of my top 10 targets. Sean Manaea is on this list and Frankie Montas is the best of the bunch.

The 28-year-old is coming off of his best season by far. His previous career-high for games started in a season was 16 back in 2019. He made 32 starts this season for the Athletics. In those starts, he went 13-9 with a 3.37 ERA. He struck out 207 batters in 187 innings pitched, a 10.0 K/9. He finished sixth in the American League Cy Young balloting.

While he hasn't proven to make 30+ starts consistently, Montas has shown that he has great stuff. He's struck out 9.4 batters per nine in his career thus far and seems to only be getting better.

While Montas is the best of the bunch out in Oakland, I believe he will be the most expensive which makes things more difficult. He's projected to make $5.2 million dollars this season according to Spotrac and has another year of arbitration in 2023. The extra year definitely adds to his price tag, but I believe he's worth it.

Montas has the upside that Manaea and Bassitt don't offer, plus another year of control. Montas just pitched like a borderline ace, I have no reason to believe he can't be a really solid third starter on a contender.

It'll cost a lot, but if the Mets can figure out a reasonable package, they should definitely pull the trigger on a Frankie Montas trade to form a very scary top three in their rotation for at least the next two seasons.

4. Mets trade target Matt Chapman

Matt Chapman is yet another Athletics trade target, this time a position player. He might be the best defensive third baseman in baseball and one of the best defensive players in the game as well.

Chapman has been in trade rumors for a long time, but now it seems like those rumors might be realistic with the Athletics leaning towards selling. Chapman is projected to make $9.5 million dollars this season according to Spotrac and has one more year of team control before entering free agency following the 2023 season. Chapman's value will probably never be higher as his team control is running out, so the Athletics would benefit from trading him now even after a rough offensive season.

Chapman is coming off of a poor season offensively. He slashed .210/.314/.403 with 27 home runs and 72 RBI. His batting average was low, but Chapman still had a WRC+ of 101 which is slightly above average. That number was also the lowest of his career.

Chapman has consistently been a 110+ WRC+ hitter, showing that this off year was probably an outlier.

Chapman's bat might've taken a step back, but his glove remained elite. He won his third Gold Glove in five seasons at third base and if the Mets were to acquire him, they'd have the best defensive left side of the infield in all of baseball by far. There is also major upside with both of their bats as both have had great offensive seasons in the past.

Chapman has hit as many as 36 home runs in a season, that came in 2019. His best overall offensive season came in 2018 when he had a 139 WRC+, good for eighth in the American League. If his bat goes back to that elite level along with his glove staying where it is, the Mets would be getting one of the best players in baseball.

Even if Chapman's bat isn't at that elite level, he'll provide power, walk a lot, and play absurd defense. He's a player the Mets would be very fortunate to acquire. They did just sign Eduardo Escobar, but they can put him at second base if Jeff McNeil is in the deal, or bring him off the bench. Escobar should not be the reason to not pursue a player as good as Chapman.

3. Mets trade target Ketel Marte

Ketel Marte is one of the more underrated players in all of baseball because he has to play in Arizona on a team that just went 52-110 last season. Marte did only play 90 games last season because of injury, but in those games, he was one of the best hitters in the game. His 139 WRC+ would've led the Mets. He did this with virtually no protection in the lineup while playing for one of the worst teams in baseball in the same division as two 105+ win teams.

Marte is a guy who can hit in the middle of the order and do it all offensively. He's hit as many as 32 home runs in a season, so he has power. He's hit as many as 12 triples in a season, so he has speed. He's hit as high as .329 in a season, so he can hit for average. When right, he's one of the better players in the game.

In addition to playing for a horrible team, Marte has also had to deal with playing a position in which he is clearly not comfortable in. Marte was playing center field and had -15 DRS there last season. He's a natural middle infielder with a ton of shortstop and second base experience. Second base is where he'd play for the Mets, and he's very good there. The last season he had full-time reps at second base was in 2018 and he had 13 DRS that season, tied for third in the majors among second basemen.

The Mets would have one of the better double play combinations in the game with Marte and Lindor. Marte would give the Mets another switch hitter that they can plug in the middle of the lineup.

While second base might not be the biggest need on the roster, Marte's ceiling is too high to ignore. In the 2019 season he slashed .329/.389/.592 with 32 home runs and 92 RBI. He was an all-star and finished fourth in the National League MVP balloting. The Mets could definitely use that kind of upside.

Marte is also on an incredibly team friendly deal. He's set to make $8 million dollars this season with two club options for the two following seasons worth $10 million dollars and $12 million dollars respectively.

The 28 year old is entering his prime and will be a Met on very cheap money for the next three seasons if they acquire him now. The asking price will be astronomical, but as long as Francisco Alvarez is not included, I'd consider it. He's that kind of difference maker.

2. Mets trade target Luis Castillo

For the longest time, I have been the biggest Luis Castillo supporter. I think he's got electric stuff and is only getting better. With the Reds leaning towards selling, everyone who makes over the league minimum figures to be available. I believe Luis Castillo is the best pitcher the Mets can get in the trade market.

The 29-year-old went 8-16 last season with a 3.98 ERA. The ERA might not look great on paper, but Castillo had an up and down season. He came out of the gates slowly, posting a 4.65 ERA in 19 first-half starts. However, he settled in and finished strong with a 3.18 second-half ERA.

Castillo is one of the better pitchers in baseball, while also being one of the most durable. In each of the last three full seasons played, Castillo has made at least 31 starts with at least 169 innings pitched. It can't be stressed enough how badly the Mets could use someone who they can rely on to take the ball every fifth day and go deep into a ball game. The most reliable arm the Mets have to do that is Scherzer which is a great option, but he's 37 so who knows how good that will actually turn out.

The only Met to make 30 starts this season was Marcus Stroman who left in free agency. Taijuan Walker made 29 starts but has a very extensive history. The pitcher with the third most games started is Tylor Megill who might not even make the team.

Castillo has struck out 9.8 batters per nine in his career while allowing just 1.1 HR/9. For a guy making most of his starts in Cincinnati, that's a pretty impressive feat. The walks are a bit high at 3.3/9 in his career, but if he can improve on that number while pitching in a bigger ballpark, the sky is the limit for Castillo. I believe he has ace potential and would be the best third starter in the game.

Castillo has two years of team control left, so the price tag will be a hefty one. I came up with a proposal with the help of Blog Red Machine on FanSided that might be steep, but it's worth it for a pitcher of this caliber. Castillo would make the Mets a team that would be so hard to beat in the postseason with three ace-caliber pitchers pitching twice in a seven-game series.

1. Mets trade target Jose Ramirez

The number one player the Mets should be looking to acquire is without question Jose Ramirez.

In the 2020 offseason, the Mets acquired Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco in a trade with this same franchise. Can they do it again? I hope so. Jose Ramirez is one of the top 10 best players in baseball and would take this Mets team to a whole other level.

Ramirez is set to make $12 million dollars this season and the Guardians have a team option for $14 million dollars for the 2023 season which they will surely pick up. They have shown that they do not want to pay their star players so for the same reason Lindor was traded, I believe Ramirez will be too.

If the Guardians trade Ramirez now, they will get more back for him. Lindor had a down year in 2021 but the Mets still look great in that trade because they really didn't have to give up all that much for the player they got in return since Lindor only had one year left on his deal.

From 2016-2021, Ramirez has slashed .286/.364/.531 with an average of 26 home runs and 83 RBI per season. His 135 OPS+ is among the leagues best in that span, and he does all of this while playing elite defense.

Ramirez is a three-time all-star, a three-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and has finished in the top six in the American League MVP balloting four times. He's a guy you can rely upon to hit 30 homers, 30 doubles, steal 20 bags, and hit close to .300 every year. Ramirez posted 7 OAA at third base which was in the 94th percentile according to baseball savant. He's as complete of a player as there is in the game.

Ramirez can step right in the middle of the Mets lineup and produce for a team that could use another impact bat. Kris Bryant is a free agent third baseman, but he's nowhere near as good as Ramirez on both sides of the ball.

Ramirez would cost a ton in a trade, but it will be worth it. I would try my hardest to hold onto Francisco Alvarez in a deal, but anybody else is up for grabs. Teams that go for it make these kinds of moves. The Nationals signed Max Scherzer even though they had one of the best rotations in the game. The Dodgers traded for Mookie Betts even though they had a loaded lineup, especially in the outfield.

Jose Ramirez would push the Mets from a team that I'm on the fence about making the playoffs to one that I would be shocked if they didn't get in. Once you get to the postseason, anything can happen. The Braves just won the World Series without their best player. It's all about getting to the postseason, Ramirez will do wonders for this team in getting them there. He is without a doubt the guy the Mets should try their hardest to acquire by any means necessary.