3 trade deadline sweepstakes the Mets should avoid

Your ideal New York Mets trade deadline isn’t what will actually happen or probably what they should even do. With plenty of high-quality players to rent or continue to build around, Billy Eppler will have a lot of options to explore before the 2022 trade deadline hits us on August 2.

The Mets should explore all avenues but avoid paying a ransom in these three trade deadline sweepstakes.

1) NY Mets should avoid the Andrew Benintendi trade deadline sweepstakes

Does Andrew Benintendi solve what the Mets need most? They need power. They need someone who can hit left-handed pitchers. Benintendi is neither of those. He’s a guy you want to play in left field every day and maybe win another Gold Glove.

He could make sense on the Mets if they were to move Mark Canha or Starling Marte to regular DH duties. But then we have to remember his offense and what he brings to the table. He is too similar to some of their other hitters with lighter power and a good batting average.

While not a bad hitter in his career versus lefties despite being one himself, it wouldn’t make much sense to bring him in especially when the asking price might be on the rise even with his vaccination status.

The Mets wouldn’t be affected by Benintendi’s vaccination status unless they ended up in the World Series versus the Toronto Blue Jays. By that point, maybe he’d get the shot.

It shouldn’t matter. The resources you’d trade for him would be better off going toward a different bat and maybe even a bullpen arm. He’ll have suitors. The Mets don’t need to be one of them.

3) NY Mets should avoid the David Bednar trade deadline sweepstakes

It’s going to take the Jaws of Life to pull David Bednar away from the Pittsburgh Pirates. They have no urgency to trade the All-Star closer this year. The Mets have equally as little need to get themselves into a bidding war for him.

The Mets are secure at the closer spot with Edwin Diaz. This we all know. They could be in the market for a right-handed reliever and maybe even forego the rest of the season with two lefties in the bullpen. After all, when the playoffs roll around, David Peterson should be there to provide them with innings out of the bullpen in this role.

If the Mets are looking for some more right-handed security, much cheaper rentals like Daniel Bard or David Robertson would make sense for them. Bednar’s trade value is so astronomically high right now because of his awesome season and the years of control remaining. You only trade for him if you plan to use him in the ninth inning. The Mets simply don’t have that need right now.

Unlike Benintendi and Contreras who probably should get traded, the Pirates can hold onto Bednar until they get an offer that blows them away. What’s your best Juan Soto trade package? Eliminate the weakest link from that and you can get the Pirates to budge. Maybe you can take out the best player from the deal, too.

The point is: all of the leverage is in their court right now. Don’t even bother getting involved.