3 roster upgrades the Mets need to add at this year’s trade deadline

The MLB trade deadline will take place on August 2 this year. It’s the last chance for the New York Mets to make a huge deal for a major roster upgrade.

Fortunately, they don’t seem to have any gigantic needs at the moment. Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer are on their way back from the IL which will only increase their overall pitching depth. The starting lineup has only a few holes that could use an upgrade. Considering how capable they are of scoring runs with what they do have, they might not be in the market for all that much on the offensive side of things.

The Mets should still look to get better. At these three roles, the Mets could use a trade deadline upgrade.

1) The Mets need to upgrade the left-handed bullpen spot

There isn’t a position the Mets could use an improvement at more than the left-handed bullpen job. Joely Rodriguez and Chasen Shreve have had underwhelming years. From the moment it was clear they would be the left-handed duo in the bullpen, fans were concerned if Billy Eppler had done enough in this role.

Clearly, he did not.

Some can point to certain statistics to justify either’s continued spot on the roster. However, when you start going beyond the simple numbers like ERA, your case gets a little weaker. Rodriguez and Shreve may go for long periods without allowing runs. Neither is quite dominant enough to be the focal point of a playoff team’s left-handed reliever option.

The Mets should be in the market to add a lefty reliever this summer. Andrew Chafin could be at the top of the list. When the season comes closer to a conclusion, David Peterson may be an option. For now, he’ll serve the Mets better as a starting pitcher depth piece rather than a relief weapon.

3) The Mets need to upgrade the bench

Trading for a player like Blackmon would also help improve the bench—giving the Mets a better fourth outfielder on the roster. They really could use one more bench piece for their championship roster. Understanding Davis is an everyday DH candidate, this leaves them with Luis Guillorme, a backup catcher, and two other spots they could upgrade.

Guillorme has done a superb job this year when he gets playing time. Capable of handling every spot on the infield, the Mets can turn their attention to the outfield where they do have some depth issues.

Defensively, the Mets are set up pretty fine. They should be in the market for a slugger.

Prospect Mark Vientos could definitely serve them in this role. However, he is a lot like Davis in regards to his defensive reputation. Kole Calhoun of the Texas Rangers would be extremely affordable. The problem with him is he might not be all that much better than the other options the Mets currently have available to them.

The Mets could always turn their attention to more versatile guys such as Adam Frazier. He hasn’t played particularly well since leaving the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The team still has weeks to decide whether or not Lee or Plummer is a good bench piece for them. Smith can regain some credibility if he hits well in the minors. Even if all three showcase their talents well, every rock should be turned in hopes of finding a better option out there.