3 teams that the Mets may bid against for needs at the trade deadline

If the Mets are serious about acquiring a star catcher, the Houston Astros will be tough to beat out (do not forget about Josh Bell too). 

We know the Mets have issues at the catcher position with James McCann on the injured list and the lack of offensive production from Tomas Nido and Patrick Mazeika behind the plate. The Astros have a similar problem, as their catchers have combined to bat just .159 this season and have a –0.7 WAR, which are both the lowest in the majors. 

Willson Contreras of the Cubs makes a lot of sense for a team like the Astros, who would instantly be an upgrade offensively and would take the Astros offense to a different level. The Astros rank 14th in MLB in runs scored and 18th in batting average. Plus, he would fit in to the Astros winning culture as a World Series champion himself.  

Sean Murphy of the A’s can make sense too. Murphy has a 117 OPS+, with 11 home runs and a .245 batting average, so that would be an upgrade over what the Mets have right now, although it is not clear if the A’s fire sale allows them to trade within the division. 

The Mets can do similar things too. If they don’t think James McCann is close to returning, they can always look to upgrade at other areas of need around the offense and hope Nido and Mazeika can match McCann’s level of run prevention value behind the plate. 

Also, both teams are in the hunt for Nationals first baseman and designated hitter Josh Bell, and that could be a bidding war by itself.