5 bold predictions for the Mets at the trade deadline

The New York Mets and their subpar performance so far in 2023 sets up to be one of the most fascinating trade deadline seasons in team history. The team has a lot of expendable pieces that will be up for grabs should they decide to sell, but they also have the talent to get hot at any time between now and the trade deadline in less than four weeks.

So, today, here are five bold predictions about the Mets and what they will do at the trade deadline.

1) The New York Mets will trade pitcher Max Scherzer to the Los Angeles Angels.

Let's face it. Who doesn't want to play alongside Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout at this point. If Max Scherzer is traded to the Angels, he can say he did that.

Max Scherzer's Hall of Fame credentials and leadership would allow the Mets to get an excellent package back from the Angels in a trade, since the Mets are likely going to eat the money in any contract. And it would fit well with the Angels, whose owner, Arte Moreno, has a reputation of being one not willing to spend.

Scherzer to the Angels would instantly make a lethal one-two punch atop their rotation with Ohtani and put the team in the discussion with the Rangers and Astros to win the American League West division.

The Angels enter play today just shy of a playoff spot, and they desperately need to get Ohtani to the playoffs before they risk losing him in free agency this winter or else it would be a bad look for their organization. Same thing applies to Trout, who has never won a playoff game in his Hall of Fame career.

Also, the Mets might take advantage of a desperate Angels team as a hamate injury to Mike Trout might prompt the Angels to buy harder.

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