Dream Mets starting lineup after the trade deadline

Miami Marlins v New York Mets
Miami Marlins v New York Mets / Jim McIsaac/GettyImages
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Pinch me. I’m dreaming. It’s how New York Mets fans felt the moment the Wilpons finally sold the team. Better yet, the buyer was Steve Cohen.

Cohen’s Mets have a different feel. This is especially true when it comes to adding parts to the roster to make it as great as can be. The MLB trade deadline lies ahead for this club and it’s another chance for them to improve the roster further.

Cohen owning the Mets is a dream no fan wants to wake up from. Getting into the next stage of this slumber, let’s fantasize about a dream Mets starting lineup after the trade deadline. We’ll keep it a little real but add some new pieces that would completely change the way we feel about this team and how many runs they can score.

1) NY Mets dream starting lineup past the trade deadline: Brandon Nimmo, CF

There is no change needed here. Brandon Nimmo has been exceptional both in center field and out of the leadoff spot all season. There is no need to make any change at all. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

2) NY Mets dream starting lineup past the trade deadline: Starling Marte, RF

Again, no changes here. We leave Starling Marte out there in right field to hit second. He can move around the lineup every so often. That’s fine, too. But let’s not reinvent the wheel. The Mets lineup can’t get much better than Nimmo and Marte back-to-back at the top.

3) NY Mets dream starting lineup past the trade deadline: Francisco Lindor, SS

I get arguments to move Francisco Lindor to a different part of the lineup but it’s just not necessary. He fits in well as the number three hitter even if he isn’t putting up the numbers in some areas. As long as he drive sin runs, he stays.

4) NY Mets dream starting lineup past the trade deadline: Pete Alonso, 1B

Wait, am I just naming all of the guys the Mets already have? So far, yes. The Mets don’t need to make adjustments at the top of their order. When guys are hurt or have a day off, they can mix things up. We’re in a dream state, though. Pete Alonso remains as the cleanup hitter. It’s a role he was destined for.

5) NY Mets dream starting lineup past the trade deadline: Jose Abreu, DH

Where did this guy come from? The Chicago White Sox slugger would be one of the dream trade deadline additions for me. You want a slugger? You want run-production? Jose Abreu is the guy to give it to the Mets. He’s a free agent after this season which means he might not be so unattainable in trades. If Billy Eppler can pull off a deal for him and the next guy in the order, we may need to open the 2023 season with a statue of him outside of Citi Field.

6) NY Mets dream starting lineup past the trade deadline: Willson Contreras, C

Let’s double down on the big trades with Chicago. This one would come courtesy of the Cubs with star catcher Willson Contreras added into the mix. We’re in a dream, remember. The Mets are able to acquire him without having to surrender Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty, or any of the other untouchable prospects in the system. Maybe it’s Ronny Mauricio who headlines this deal. Whatever it is, don’t wake me up. This is a good dream, not a nightmare. It continues with the Mets getting the best catcher available and upgrading the offense in an immense way. He also ends up becoming best friends with Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom because of how well they work together. Don't even try to wake me up.

7) NY Mets dream starting lineup past the trade deadline: Jeff McNeil, 2B

Jeff McNeil is fully capable of hitting higher in the order but with the way things have shaped up in this fantasy, he slot in at the seventh spot. He’ll bounce around regularly depending on how things are going. However, with the addition of Abreu and Contreras, he probably won’t hit fifth anymore.

8) NY Mets dream starting lineup past the trade deadline: Mark Vientos, 3B

In this dream, everything goes as well as it can for Mark Vientos. He is this year’s Michael Conforto, Noah Syndergaard, and Steven Matz all wrapped up into one third baseman. He plays a steady defense at the position, too. He mashes. He bashes. Eduardo Escobar moves to the bench and the transition to one of the kids at the hot corner is officially underway.

9) NY Mets dream starting lineup past the trade deadline: Mark Canha, LF

Someone has to bat last and in this lineup it’s Mark Canha. It’s nothing personal. In fact, he’s at the bottom because of his ability to turn the lineup over and reach base. Think of him as a second leadoff option for the team. Because he hasn’t hit for much power this year, it’s not such a bad place to put him. Taking advantage of the home runs Vientos can fall into, he hits one spot higher with Canha’s larger purpose in place to get on base rather than drive in those already there.

Next. 5 lefty relievers the Mets can trade for. dark

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