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4 injured Mets players whose health could factor into the team’s trade deadline focus

The health of these four Mets on the IL could play a role in what they do at the trade deadline.

By Tim Boyle |
San Diego Padres v New York Mets
San Diego Padres v New York Mets / Luke Hales/GettyImages
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The New York Mets are as locked in as trade deadline buyers as it can get. Nothing should change this direction. What might see some fluctuation is what their priority becomes.

Bullpen help is a must regardless of what the IL looks like. However, some other needs could become equally as essential.

Dealing with several injuries right now, like every team and each human to ever exist over the age of 30, the health of these four Mets players could play a role into who and how much the team will add to the roster in the next week.

1) Starling Marte

We’ve been here before. It’s 2022 all over again. Starling Marte was playing well for the Mets before landing on the IL. The team’s right fielder—at least by name and not ability—is breaking down before our eyes. He should return at some point. The latest updates aren’t positive with no timetable yet set for his return. He’s in the stage of “feeling good” with no actual rehab assignment approaching.

As a result, the Mets need to search for some upgrades. Jeff McNeil is fine in right field if he starts to hit again. Jose Iglesias is a more than acceptable starting second baseman in this league even if he cools off.

The Mets should still hunt for an outfielder as the roster spots currently occupied by DJ Stewart and Ben Gamel are both weak and redundant. We shouldn’t expect them to go after someone in the class of Luis Robert Jr. Someone more in the realm of Kevin Pillar, Tommy Pham, or Mark Canha fits their needs best. Make it an offense-first type of player. Allow Tyrone Taylor to be the defensive safety net like he was meant to be.

2) Kodai Senga

Will Kodai Senga come back and finish off the year looking more like Carlos Carrasco in 2021 or Jose Quintana in 2023? Maybe somewhere in between? An outstanding pitcher last year for the Mets, we should prepare for slow progress once he finally does return from a season-long IL stint.

Gathering as much information as they can from Senga about how he feels is crucial for the Mets over the next couple of days. They need to know for sure if they can 1) trade a different starting pitcher or 2) need to get someone else.

As a personal driver of the ship that says the Mets absolutely shouldn’t trade a starting pitcher away and would do themselves a big favor by actually acquiring one, some honest answers from Senga about how he’s feeling heading into the trade deadline will help the Mets determine their plans. If he does start on Friday, they'll get to see how he can perform in a big game against major league competition.

Senga won’t get more than one start before the trade deadline arrives. On track to start on Friday against the Atlanta Braves, the outcome of that appearance and if he comes out of it feeling healthy will give the Mets as much information as they can get.

A productive Senga could be key for the Mets’ postseason chances. The Mets rotation needs a true number one. That’s what this guy can be.

3) Reed Garrett

A huge success story for the Mets this season, Reed Garrett hit the IL right before the All-Star Break. Some much more pedestrian numbers than what he showcased earlier on this year, Garrett should return to the Mets and jump right into the action as one of the more trusted relievers in the bullpen; even if the team makes some major additions.

The latest on Garrett was positive yet offered little insight into when he’ll be available.

The Mets have been able to use pitchers like Dedniel Nunez and Jose Butto effectively as multi-inning options out of the bullpen. However, Garrett’s injury which may have been in part to overuse and taking the mound on back-to-back days should have them remaining cautious with their other options.

Garrett won’t be back before the trade deadline and with available minor league options, he does provide the ball club with a little flexibility if they were to overflow with some non-optional trade pieces.

A recovery on the quicker side for Garrett could have the Mets thinking twice about overpaying for a relief pitcher. They’ll want to know a more approximate date for a return next week before the final clock ticks and the trade deadline comes to pass.

4) Sean Reid-Foley

More than a month has gone by since we last saw Sean Reid-Foley on the mound for the Mets. Updates on him have been minimal with a focus only on him running with a Relentless Optimism shirt on.

Reid-Foley falls into the same class of surprisingly good pitchers this year for the Mets alongside Garrett. His 1.66 ERA this year in 21.2 innings comes in a small sample but a tantalizing number giving us the desire to see more.

Reid-Foley’s name might not be one many will immediately think of when it comes to trade deadline plans. Consider this. He has been brilliant against left-handed hitters this year. They’re only 4 for 30 against him with a double accounting for the lone extra-base hit. In fact, Reid-Foley has only allowed 2 extra-base hits all season with a lone double to righties as well. A .133/.270/.167 slash line from lefties versus the righty Reid-Foley is a sign that maybe instead of overpaying for a left-handed reliever they can fill the hole with him.

The reverse splits didn’t hold true last year, but Reid-Foley was still good against left-handed hitters in a very limited sample of 18 plate appearances. The Mets need to have Joey Tribbiani ask Reid-Foley “how you doin’?” and go from there.

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