5 trade destinations for Tommy Pham if the Mets sell

Going into the trade deadline, the most valuable asset the New York Mets should be willing to sell will be Tommy Pham.

This would've been a major surprise at the start of the season, but Pham has done everything the Mets have asked him to do so far. Pham is hitting .277, has mashed 9 home runs and stolen 10 bases. Teams will be calling about the 35 year old, and the Mets should seriously consider selling him at the deadline considering Pham will be a free agent following the season. These teams could seriously use Pham's services, and the Mets should start a bidding war between them to get the best possible return for the much improved outfielder.

The New York Yankees should make the Mets an offer for Tommy Pham

While trades between the cross town rivals are rare, a deal based around Tommy Pham makes a ton of sense for both sides. Initially proposed by Evan Roberts on WFAN Sports Radio, the Yankees need Pham's bat while having an ample selection of bullpen arms to give back in return.

The Yankees bats have looked lifeless since Aaron Judge went down with an injury, and have been sorting through a plethora of replacement level outfielders in the meantime to no avail. Tommy Pham would presumably take over the starting job in the outfield his first day in the Bronx, and may even keep a DH role when Judge returns if he does well. For a team trying to keep pace in an incredibly difficult AL East, the Yankees will need to make an assortment of moves to not get left behind.

For the Mets, the bullpen remains the biggest need, as it has been all season long. Most Pham trades will presumably not bring in a massive return due to age and contract, but acquiring a prospect or veteran with multiple years on their contract would be considered a positive value.

After years of not trading with each other, the Mets and Yankees finally broke the barrier in 2022 with a low level reliever swap. Just a year later, the two teams have ample reason to reenter negotiations for a win-win trade as both New York teams make a push for a Wild Card spot.

The Mets should field trade offers from the Cleveland Guardians, who need a big boost on offense

Just a few years ago the Mets and Guardians made the blockbuster trade that sent Francisco Lindor to the Big Apple. With both teams at very similar records to start 2023, the two teams stand to benefit from a deal once again.

Simply put, the Guardians have been unable to score. They have scored the fourth fewest runs in the entire league, only better than Oakland, Kansas City and Detroit. With 18 (!) fewer home runs than the next worst team in the league, this offense desperately needs someone like Tommy Pham to come in and give the team a jolt. His power and speed would make him an instant starter on this team and contribute to what has been a dormant starting lineup.

Once again, the Mets should be looking for bullpen help here, and Cleveland would be the right place to go. With the best bullpen ERA in baseball, the Mets should have plenty of options to choose from should the Guardians be willing to give up some talent. It would probably require an additional prospect, but setup man Trevor Stephan would be the dream target for a Mets bullpen given his four years of team control.

Despite their offensive ineptitude, the Guardians sit at .500 and in first place in the weak AL Central. If they want to have any chance of holding on to their slight division lead, Tommy Pham would be a great piece to add, and the Mets should be able to get a good return for him.

Another AL Central team, the Minnesota Twins should inquire with the Mets about Tommy Pham

The Twins and the Guardians find themselves in almost identical situations, with both separated by just half a game in the measly AL Central. The Twins have the sixth worst batting average across baseball, with one of the worst outfield OPS across the league as well. With the third best ERA in the league on the other end, this team should be a serious contender if they're able to turn around that putrid offense.

Tommy Pham would go a long way towards that offensive improvement. Will Castro is the only member of the outfield hitting above .240; the rest the outfielders are hitting .220 or lower. The Twins have a .218 average vs lefties as a collective, the worst in the league. That is exactly what Pham specializes in, making him a natural fit into their starting lineup.

In a potential trade, the Mets would most likely look towards acquiring prospects in return for Pham. The Twins wouldn't be likely to part ways with any starting pitching, and the lack of relievers under contract in the bullpen would likely have the Mets looking for potential instead of an MLB ready player.

Still, this deal would prove beneficial for both sides. The Twins would hopefully have to outbid their rival Guardians for Pham's services, and the Mets could always use the upgrade in their bullpen. The AL Central is wide open for the taking, so Pham's services could be well used across the division.

The struggling Texas Rangers could use some outfield depth for a playoff run

The Texas Rangers have been among one of the best offenses in the MLB this season, owning the 2nd highest OPS and being among the leaders in hits. At one point they were one of the best teams in the MLB, somehow surviving a season ending injury to Jacob deGrom and holding the AL West division lead for most of the season. However, they slumped into the All Star Break, and may be looking for reinforcements at the deadline.

Part of the reason for that can be attributed to outfield depth. While Adolis Garcia and Leody Taveras have done exactly what's asked of them in right and center field respectively, the left field position has been a point of weakness for the Rangers. Pham would provide a helpful depth piece for a team that is surprising many this far into the season, and give them a great bat against left handed pitching with some more home run power.

The Mets might not be able to get the same return back for Pham here that they would other teams, given the lack of urgency the Rangers might have. That being said, he would prove useful to just about any playoff contender, and the Rangers have a great chance this season at the AL West.