Mets named as a "fit" for a pair of the top starting pitcher trade candidates

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand made a list of 10 trade chips and where they could land. The New York Mets, currently caught in a state of purgatory, ended up on both sides. The stirrers of Mets rumors seem to have no idea either. Will they buy or sell?

Feinsand named outfielder Tommy Pham as one of those 10 players to be traded but acknowledged the Mets could remain buyers. The Amazins ended up as a potential fit for two of the starting pitchers on the list, Shane Bieber and Eduardo Rodriguez.

Mets rumors have linked them as potential fits for starting pitchers Shane Bieber and Eduardo Rodriguez

Bieber is a name we’ve seen in old Mets rumors. The newly-turned 28-year-old is 59-30 lifetime with a 3.21 ERA. This season hasn’t been particularly strong with a 5-4 record and 3.51 ERA through 15 starts. A huge drop in strikeouts to 6.5 per 9 and a 4.15 FIP all show some warning signs that Bieber might not be the right player for the Mets to overbid on.

Working in his favor is a year of control beyond this season. The Cleveland Guardians are bound to trade him eventually. Before all of his value potential goes to waste, this summer might be the time to pull the trigger.

Intriguing in a different way is Rodriguez. We saw him dominate the Mets earlier this season. The 30-year-old lefty has made 11 starts, gone 4-4, and given the Detroit Tigers a 2.13 ERA. He’s currently on the IL but a return to the field and some strong outings should help to restock his trade value.

The trouble with Rodriguez is the player option he can flex after the year. He might be a pure rental. In which case, the Mets or anyone else looking to trade for him would need to create a package with this in mind.

Feinsand’s selection of these starters as potential fits for the Mets compared to others discussed, like Lucas Giolito and Jack Flaherty, does seem a little random. Not naming Marcus Stroman as a fit for the Mets does make a little more sense. We know there’s no chance of that happening.

Interestingly, the teams Feinsand names as fits for Pham are the Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers, and Bieber’s club, the Guardians. They have also yet to claim a spot in this year’s playoffs or as one of MLB’s top sellers.