4 NY Mets players convincing us they should be trade deadline buyers

1 of 4

The trade deadline is approaching, and the New York Mets are in a uniquely difficult position. The team's 40-46 record would seem to indicate that making trades with the idea of pushing for the playoffs this year is unwise. Try telling that to Steve Cohen, though, after he spent a record-setting amount on the team's payroll with the idea of making a World Series run.

Cohen's "state of the team" press conference three weeks ago painted the picture of a disapproving parent that expects more from his children. He's not mad, just disappointed. But he was also rational and realistic, even going so far as to say that the Mets would not be adding at the deadline if their performance did not improve.

The Mets have amassed a 9-5 record in July, giving fans hope that a Wild Card run is still worth making. Does Steve Cohen agree? We'll soon find out.

There's no shortage of trade speculation out there, but for a team that would almost certainly be sellers if this month's record was flipped, let's recognize the players responsible for keeping hope alive.

1) Francisco Alvarez is the biggest reason the Mets could add at the trade deadline

Concerns about Alvarez not being ready for the big leagues seem like a lifetime ago. The Mets' young catcher was already enjoying a remarkable rookie season, and that was before he turned into prime Mike Piazza.

Alvarez has been obliterating the baseball this month, averaging over an RBI per game while posting a a preposterous 1.328 OPS as of yesterday. His defense has been one of the season's most pleasant surprises, but his offensive output as a 21-year-old catcher is something the game has never seen.

Both Brandon Nimmo and Pete Alonso have been ice cold at the plate, making what Alvarez has done all the more crucial, and not only is he trying to single-handedly drag the Mets back to relevance, he's having fun doing it. Mets fans have spent many games this season waiting (correctly) for the other shoe to drop, but their young catcher has been a ray of sunshine breaking through the gloom.

Alvarez's emergence as one of the game's best young players points to a bright future for both himself and the franchise, but it's also made it more likely that the Mets add some pieces at the trade deadline. If they can do the improbable and make a run to the playoffs, be sure to thank the young man behind the plate.

2) Justin Verlander is regaining his Cy Young form just in time

It's taken some time for the Mets' prize free agent acquisition to look less like old Justin Verlander and more like the Justin Verlander of old, but the veteran righty has rounded into form with a 2.08 ERA in four starts this month.

Verlander was at his best in his most recent start against the White Sox, allowing only a solo home run to Luis Robert in an otherwise sterling eight innings. That was the fifth time in ten starts that he's allowed one run or less.

Though Verlander looking more like an ace is a huge reason the Mets may become buyers at the deadline, the other reason is a practical one. Both he and buddy Max Scherzer have full no-trade clauses in their contracts, meaning they would have to approve any deal that would ship them out.

Verlander and Scherzer will be well-paid no matter where they pitch, but they also want to compete for championships at this point in their careers. It doesn't seem likely that either would be enthused about the team punting on the season by selling the pieces around them, nor does it seem plausible that the Mets would approach the duo about waiving their no-trade clauses for a full teardown.

This leaves buying or standing pat, but if Verlander continues to pitch this well, he may leave the Mets with no choice. "It could be one of the best turnarounds in the history of baseball. Maybe. Still could be," he recently told The Athletic.

3) Kodai Senga is looking like one of the best pitchers in baseball

Most Mets fans have been pleased with what they've gotten from Kodai Senga in his debut major league season. One can quibble with the number of walks he's allowed, but beyond that he's been a solid starter, and riding the ghost fork hype train has been fun for everyone.

Then July hit, and Senga morphed into one of the most outstanding pitchers in the game. In two starts this month he's locked down the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers, both playoff teams if the season ended today. He was especially masterful in Arizona, bamboozling the D-backs for eight dynamite innings. His 12 strikeouts were tied for his season high, and he even got a well-deserved win after Francisco Alvarez saved the day with two outs in the ninth.

Senga has clearly gotten more comfortable as the season has progressed, which has allowed his outstanding stuff to shine. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is nearly 5:1 in his last five starts, and he may lead the league in the unofficial stat of making batters look absolutely foolish.

The fear of Senga's ghost fork has resulted in so many hitters taking fastballs right over the plate for a called third strike, and just when they think they have it figured out, he drops the ghost on them next time and steals their soul.

Senga has been so good that he has ascended into that rare echelon of pitchers whose every start is a must-see. The thought of seeing him pitching meaningful baseball in October is irresistible.

4) Brett Baty is showing some pop

With Francisco Alvarez and Kodai Senga pushing their way into the National League Rookie of the Year conversation, Brett Baty has been a bit lost in the shuffle. The 23-year-old third baseman has had his ups and downs in his rookie season, but his recent power surge is an encouraging sign for the stretch run.

Baty belted homers in consecutive games for the first time in his career against the visiting White Sox this week, first going back-to-back with Alvarez, then hitting a solo shot the next night in a 5-1 Mets win. Both homers got out of the deepest part of Citi Field.

Just as heartening as Baty's newfound strength is the way he has handled himself after some recent adversity. Baty got beaten by swirling winds on a high pop up against the Dodgers, adding insult to injury by getting hit in the face by the ball after his futile dive for it.

The play was fuel to the fire for everyone that loves laughing at the Mets, but Baty handled himself like a veteran when asked about the embarrassing incident later, taking full responsibility and saying that he blamed himself for the Mets losing the game and the series. He then not only homered twice against the White Sox, but turned in one of the prettiest plays of the year at third.

Brett Baty with the throw on the run! pic.twitter.com/nV6qCXs3G5
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 19, 2023

Players, especially young ones, are going to make mistakes. Give me a guy that can face the media, then shake it off and bounce back. Baty is only going to keep getting better.

There are nine games remaining until the trade deadline, and those results will be vital in determining which way this Mets season goes. Alvarez, Verlander, Senga, and Baty are doing their part. Will it be enough for the front office to do theirs?

manual

Home / New York Mets News