5 bold predictions for the Mets at the trade deadline

2) The New York Mets will trade outfielder Mark Canha to the Cleveland Guardians.

The Guardians are desperate for any type of offense to infuse into their lineup. They rank in the bottom five in OPS, runs scored, and home runs (where they rank a distant last in the majors in). And the Mets have an expendable rental in Mark Canha, whose durability, reliability, and professionalism make him a valuable commodity for any team looking for a bat.

Among all the contenders in baseball this season, Cleveland is in most dire need of offense. Canha would improve the outfield as he could play the right handed designated hitter option to pair up with Josh Bell, or replace Will Brennan, who has an OPS+ under 100. At worst, he would instantly upgrade a bench that needs veteran leadership and power.

It would also pave the way for the Mets to have a spot for Ronny Mauricio to get some experience whenever he is ready for a callup assignment as the team is currently clogged up at the position. Mauricio and Tommy Pham could then be the left fielder and designated hitter going forward in either order, unless the Mets trade Pham, of course, and make Mauricio the every day left fielder.

The Mets trading Canha would be addition by subraction, and I think the Mets will do just that.

3) The New York Mets will trade pitcher Carlos Carrasco to the Cincinnati Reds.

Sure, Carlos Carrasco has had a rough season, for sure. He is 2-3 with a 5.94 ERA in 11 starts this season. But that doesn't mean there is a team with starting pitching help couldn't use him. The Cincinnati Reds are just that team. And here's why.

The Reds have been decimated by injuries in the pitching front and four of their five current starting pitchers (Graham Ashcroft, Levi Stoudt, Brandon Williamson, and Andrew Abbott) under the age of 26. They have Hunter Greene and Ben Lively on the injured list and the Reds need a veteran to balance out the rotation. The Reds wouldn't have to give up much in the deal because Carrasco's value isn't high enough to warrant a good prospect return for the Mets.

For Carrasco, he could use a change of scenery from the Mets, as his tenure in Flushing has been one of inconsistency. He missed the first four months of 2021 due to a bone spur issue, then had a good 2022 season where he won 15 games, and then this year his walks are up and strikeouts are down.

Also, the Reds are in a position to make the playoffs in a full 162-game season for the first time since 2012, and if the Mets aren't going to the playoffs, the team would do him right by sending him to a playoff contender.

4) The New York Mets will NOT trade either Daniel Vogelbach or Tommy Pham.

The Mets have done everything they can to try and turn Daniel Vogelbach into a media darling. He's been in the lineup, probably far too often for his .206 batting average and OPS+ under 100, but given that the Mets traded a solid reliever in Colin Holderman, Billy Eppler is probably gonna try everything he can to justify the trade, even though it has, for the most part, not worked out for New York.

A lot of people believe Tommy Pham is a hot commodity on the trade market, and they would be correct. As for Pham's days in New York, however, my gut tells me the Mets keep him. The Baseball Savant ratings for him are off the charts and he would make for an enjoyable watch for Mets fans down the stretch when he makes contact.

Plus, the Mets were weakest in hard contact last year, and Pham has hit the ball harder than most of the league this year, and it may be a strength exposed for a potential reunion next year.

Given Eppler's penchant for adding offense (as he did during his Angels years), Pham will stay in New York. If the Mets do trade Pham, who knows if he will be available next year in free agency as the control would be out of the Mets' hands.

I think the Mets will overplay their hand on Pham, failing to get the return back they're looking for. The Mets will argue the hard-hit rate and the power, but other rival execs may argue strikeout rate may hinder him in the playoffs. He has been a streaky hitter throughout his career

5) The New York Mets will trade closer David Robertson to the Baltimore Orioles.

The Orioles' bullpen got off to a tremendous start this season thanks to the incredible work by Yennier Cano and Felix Bautista at the back end of the bullpen. But the depth of their pen beyond those two may be a concern for them, and adding David Robertson to an already explosive back end would take the team to another level, as Brandon Hyde can manage a shorter game. Not many of the contenders in the American League could say that about their bullpens.

Robertson has been awesome as the fill-in closer for Edwin Diaz this season as he is having one of the best seasons of his major league career. He has a 1.93 ERA and 12 saves in 37.1 innings pitched this year. But who knows how long his value will remain high at 38 years of age. If it wasn't for the quota system of all teams need one All-Star, Robertson would have been at least considered for the All-Star team this year.

Plus, the Orioles have the prospects to get a deal done with New York, as their farm system is one of the most talented in the sport right now. The Mets can absolutely get a good prospect of theirs in the trade.

The Mets trading Robertson would be another signal that they will punt on the rest of the season and transition into 2024, when they will get Edwin Diaz back for a full season, and hopefully, the Mets actually sign several competent relievers to fill out the bullpen, unlike last offseason where the Mets fell way short.