3 trade targets for the Mets to start scouting if the Cardinals continue to tank

Apr 29, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA;  St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery
Apr 29, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery / Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
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2) NY Mets trade target on the Cardinals: Jack Flaherty

Another free agent starting pitcher after this season on the Cardinals roster is Jack Flaherty. He doesn’t turn 28 until October which means he could be getting a pretty big contract this offseason if all goes well for him in 2023. Flaherty has been a well-known pitcher around the league for several years. If you haven’t paid close attention, you may be surprised to realize that despite the success of the Cardinals, he hasn’t been spectacular.

Flaherty has suffered from a bit of Michael Wacha-ism. There’s something about young Cardinals players doing well early on and becoming much more average as they approach their late 20s. Flaherty has battled through some injuries. He’s nearing free agency and has topped 100 innings just twice in his career.

The Mets wouldn’t be looking for anything more than a mercenary to help get them through the end of the season and playoffs. Flaherty’s health concerns may be a bigger issue for whoever signs him in free agency. Are they really even an issue? It seems like every pitcher follows the Zack Wheeler path of showcasing who they really are around the age of 30.

Infusing a little bit more youth into the Mets pitching staff couldn’t hurt. Flaherty may not be an ace (Montgomery isn’t either) but in terms of trade deadline additions, he could be one of the better pitchers the Mets could look to acquire.