Mets saved against the Yankees and maybe at the trade deadline by unlikely heroes

A 3-2 victory over the New York Yankees on Tuesday night came courtesy of two players who not long ago were barely doing anything for the team. At the plate, Jeff McNeil stayed hot for the New York Mets. He has been a monster in the second half thus far.

Equally as clutch was the finish to the game. On little sleep, under lots of pressure, and riding his way on the roster into a trade deadline where the Mets could conceivably dump him, Jake Diekman stepped up big for the ball club with an epic duel versus Aaron Judge highlighting the performance.

Anyone can be a hero for a night. For McNeil and Diekman, lighting themselves on fire in late July can save the team from having to make even more significant trade deadline moves, too.

Two Mets trade deadline needs are a little less important if these two can continue to play well

McNeil serving as a regular in right field helps make up for the absence of Starling Marte. Of course, the presence of Jose Iglesias hitting everything under the sun aids here as well. If not for Mr. OMG, McNeil moving into right field regularly would leave a vacancy elsewhere.

It’s only five games. However, the All-Star Break seems to have exactly what he needed. Hitting for power isn’t a necessity for McNeil to be a success. The Mets of late have needed him pretty badly. He has now driven in 8 of their 16 runs in the second half. If he’s going to pop home runs and hit for a high average, we have no choice but to enjoy it.

If this is all for real, the Mets might not need to necessarily add an outfielder of any significance at the trade deadline. They still probably should, though. DJ Stewart and Ben Gamel aren’t cutting it. Recent free agent addition Jackie Bradley Jr. isn’t an answer either.

Diekman’s spot in the bullpen is a little more complicated. It’ll take him a while longer to bring his season numbers into some respectability. We can pretty much ignore them and instead focus on viewing him in a “what have you done for me lately” lens. Now 2.1 scoreless innings in 2 appearances post All-Star Break, he has continued a trend of keeping the ball away from bats. A walk in each outing and a hit by pitch in his first game are the lone base runners he has allowed.

Adding another lefty to the bullpen may not be as necessary or as much a priority if Diekman can get back on track. What began to devastate his season were the home runs allowed. The Mets have actively added fringe-MLB players like Alex Young to the roster. Diekman’s recent stretch of success could have them shopping for only bargains rather than going big after Tanner Scott.

It’s important the Mets don’t get fooled into thinking everything is hunky-dory. We’ve seen both players struggle for a long stretch. Heroes of late, it can at least be a sign that the Mets are deeper than they were heading into the end of the first half.