Top 10 Mets trade targets when the lockout ends

Sep 18, 2021; Bronx, New York, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) reacts after
Sep 18, 2021; Bronx, New York, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) reacts after / Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
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Sep 19, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Frankie Montas (47) / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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.