3 trades to improve the DH spot for the 2022 stretch run

The DH spot has been a surprisingly weak one for the New York Mets starting lineup this year. The trio of Robinson Cano, J.D. Davis, and Dominic Smith received an abundance of at-bats out of this spot with none of them building any positive momentum.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that finding a player to plug into the DH spot regularly isn’t so tough. You can completely ignore their defensive abilities.

With a possible growing need to add a power bat this summer, these are three DH candidates the Mets could trade for and completely change their starting lineup.

NY Mets starting lineup is completely different with J.D. Martinez in the DH spot

J.D. Martinez and his Boston Red Sox friends are doing their best to get back into the playoff picture. They have a long way to go after the team’s slow start. His availability will depend on where the Red Sox are in late July. If they’re out of the playoff picture, expect this soon-to-be free agent to become available.

Martinez has been one of the more underrated sluggers in recent years. A classic change of scenery guy as someone who hit poorly in three seasons with the Houston Astros then suddenly became a star slugger when he joined the Detroit Tigers, J-Mart has done nothing but slug home runs and do it with some pretty superb batting averages over the years.

In fact, if not for his Astros performance, Martinez would own a lifetime average of around .300 and an OBP over .360. He continues to mash in Boston this season and could be on his way to another 30+ home run campaign with a batting average well over .300.

Put Martinez behind, in front, or anywhere near Pete Alonso in the Mets starting lineup and things are suddenly a lot different. It’s a huge boost. He is precisely what the Mets would love to have in their DH spot.

Start gushing now, Mets fans. Tag Steve Cohen in every tweet you can about it. And for Pete’s sake (not Alonso), root against the Red Sox.

NY Mets starting lineup gets a major boost with Trey Mancini

Trey Mancini is a wonderful MLB story. As a cancer survivor, he’s already someone it’s easy to root for. Beyond his personal life, Mancini would be a fine addition to the Mets starting lineup in a DH-exclusive role.

Like Martinez, Mancini is set to hit the open market over the winter pending the mutual option and buyout his contract contains He has been a good power hitter for the Baltimore Orioles with 35 home runs in 2019 marking his personal best. Last year, after returning from missing the 2020 season, Mancini hit 21 more.

His power numbers a little down through the early start of this year but Mancini has made up for it with a good batting average and OBP numbers. Perhaps the new wall at Camden Yards has stolen a few dingers from this right-handed slugger.

The Orioles are at a place where they would be wise to move on from players and see if maybe they could further add to the farm system. Mancini is a little tough to trade because of what he has meant for them in recent years. However, at the right price, they probably would even with an idea to re-sign him over the winter if the Mets didn’t bring him back—something they probably only would if Mancini mashes.

Mancini still plays first base regularly enough to not call him a true DH. On the Mets, however, he would probably get to know his glove a lot less. Also able to play corner outfield spots, we’d have to expect those outings to only take place when no one else is available.