Dream Mets trade deadline: 1 blockbuster, 1 realistic stud, 1 reunion

3) The Mets trade deadline reunion: Kevin Pillar

Kevin Pillar doesn’t move the needle for the Mets quite the same as players like Crochet and Scott. He could still be a necessary addition. As the team awaits the return of Starling Marte from the IL, a combination of Jeff McNeil, DJ Stewart, and Tyrone Taylor are filling in. As Ben Gamel practically rots on the bench, an upgrade there or even over Stewart seems like a viable trade deadline plan for the Mets to undertake.

Pillar showed himself to be a gutsy player as a member of the 2021 Mets. On this year’s team, he’d exclusively go into a role where he’d be used against left-handed pitchers. The health status of Marte over the next week will tell us more about whether or not Pillar is someone they should even go after. Even then, the Mets should look at those fantastic numbers against left-handed pitchers and make the Los Angeles Angels an offer.

Pillar’s numbers with the Angels include a .298/.346/.490 slash line and 6 home runs in 151 at-bats. The damage he does against lefties is more prominent. He’s slashing .397/.407/.672 against them. 

This year’s Mets team has wisely given multiple players plenty of rest time and it has kept many healthy. Carlos Mendoza is unafraid to unload his entire bench in an effort to crack open a win. Pillar can be a weapon to use versus left-handed pitchers. It’s something the bench currently lacks and shouldn’t go overlooked. Tyrone Taylor and Harrison Bader have hit right-handed pitchers well while struggling against southpaws. Go in reverse when looking for a DJ Stewart replacement and pick up a guy who can defend all three outfield spots and put up big numbers against lefties.