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

3) NY Mets trade target on the Cardinals: Tyler O’Neill

Tyler O’Neill may even get traded this year even if the Cardinals pull themselves together. He has been off to a slow start. More so, it’s his lack of hustling early in the season which has put a target on his back as a player to move on from.

O’Neill is definitely not someone to get all that thrilled about. Since debuting in 2018, he has just two seasons of over 200 plate appearances. His 2021 campaign was a career-year featuring a .286/.352/.560 performance. O’Neill added 34 home runs and 80 RBI. He won his second consecutive Gold Glove.

O’Neill is far from spectacular. Even his defense hasn’t been tremendous over the last two seasons. As the Cardinals continue to hand over starts to other outfielders, he becomes even more attainable for the Mets.

The fit we find in New York for O’Neill would be as a potential upgrade over Tommy Pham. He doesn’t have spectacular numbers against lefties in his career, but that’s not the point of acquiring him. O’Neill has the potential to be a defensive upgrade over Pham. His ceiling is much greater. And while he hasn’t consistently hit for power in his career, we know he is capable of it. The Mets could certainly use more of that on their bench. If all goes well, O’Neill is even a consideration to start in left field next season. He won’t reach free agency until after 2024.

The Cardinals have an opportunity to make up for lost time and avoid any kind of midseason fire sale. If not, get ready to plunder.