Mets starting lineup prediction for the day after the trade deadline

Texas Rangers v New York Mets
Texas Rangers v New York Mets / Jim McIsaac/GettyImages

The New York Mets starting lineup could look a lot different on August 3, 2022, when they visit the Washington Nationals for a 4:05pm start. It’s the day after the trade deadline. They will have had their final chance to make any significant moves.

Although players might not be able to make it on time to this afternoon game, let’s assume they do. Let’s play pretend and say anyone the Mets do acquire at the deadline is in a jersey and ready to take down the Nationals.

If so, this is what I’m predicting the Mets lineup looks like on August 3.

What the Mets starting lineup will look like the day after the trade deadline

  1. Brandon Nimmo, CF
  2. Starling Marte, RF
  3. Francisco Lindor, SS
  4. Pete Alonso, 1B
  5. Charlie Blackmon, DH
  6. Eduardo Escobar, 3B
  7. Jeff McNeil, 2B
  8. Mark Canha, LF
  9. Tomas Nido, C

I spy with my little eye two noticeable differences. Let’s start with the obvious one, Tomas Nido! It’s a red herring. He is in there to make you wonder what happened to James McCann.

McCann is just getting an off-day.

The truly big difference is in the DH spot. Charlie Blackmon. Chuck Nasty. The fishing buddy of the man he’ll hit behind in the order when he makes his Mets debut.

Blackmon has been a core member of the Colorado Rockies for years. Although a much different player than when he helped my 2015 fantasy baseball team win a championship, he can still hit for power and looks like someone the Mets lineup could use from the left side.

Left-handed power is something the Mets don’t have much of. If I’m looking for a DH, it’s the preferred handedness.

Blackmon is a contract the Rockies should be looking to get out from under. The $21 million payday this year will be more than half over by the Mets acquire it. Next year includes a $10 million player option which the then-36-year-old would probably take. It could be his last opportunity to make that much money. Why risk a free agent market that isn’t always so kind to aging players with defensive limitations?

There should be other suitors for Blackmon yet the cost in terms of assets shouldn’t be outrageous. He isn’t going to cost the Mets a top-tier prospect. Two quality mid-level guys, possibly a pair of pitchers, might intrigue the Rockies enough.

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