3 way too early Mets trade deadline needs they’ll need to address if they want to compete

Trade deadline talk for the New York Mets was supposed to be headlined by all of the selling. The players had different thoughts. Playing much better since their 0-5 start but with some difficulties, the team isn’t as much of a pushover as some hoped they would be.

There’s a long season ahead with plenty of room to swing from one extreme to the other. If you’re believing the Mets can actually buy at the trade deadline, it’s these three needs they should already be considering.

1) The Mets will need starting pitching capable of giving them innings

Where’s Bartolo Colon, R.A. Dickey, or any of those other innings eaters from “recent” Mets history when you need them? Mets starting pitchers have been good at times, but whether they’re winning or losing they seem to give the team very limited innings. It’s the way baseball is played these days. The Mets are taking it to too much of an extreme.

It’s not much of a surprise as the Mets already went into the year hoping to have as close to a six-man rotation as they could. Jose Quintana has been a 5+ inning guy at most for a few seasons now. Luis Severino, who has battled back from multiple injuries, might be limited if only to manage his health. Let’s not even bother dissecting Adrian Houser too deeply at this point. If the Mets are able to add a pitcher at the trade deadline, it’s his spot they’d look to upgrade.

There might not be a single pitcher out there who tops 200 innings this season and if there is he’ll probably barely inch over. Asking for 170 innings is big enough. It’s this type of pitcher the Mets are missing.

Kodai Senga should be able to come back and give the Mets a lot more credibility at the top of the rotation. However, the team is likely to ease him back into longer appearances and with the expected more regular use of a six-man rotation with him around, getting more outs from each of the starters is even more important.

The Mets bullpen has been impressive in the early going. Unfortunately, they’re getting used a lot. Don’t grind them into dust too soon.

The trouble facing the team here is that innings eaters are desirable at the trade deadline even if they aren’t the most effective. It’ll be the most costly addition they could look to make. Maybe a guy on a bad contract is what will make the most sense.

2) The Mets will need to improve their infield depth on the bench

A weakness on the offense for the Mets they can easily upgrade is the infield depth. Zack Short was designated for assignment on Friday while Joey Wendle will continue to linger around at least until there’s a better option available.

The Mets may have struck out when it comes to this spot on the roster. Although it’s not paramount to securing a victory, the Mets don’t have a very good backup plan at second base, shortstop, or third base even for a day. Their depth strength is at the DH spot where they have more than enough potential occupants. It’s a bit unnecessary if J.D. Martinez can stay healthy.

These types of players often are moved at the trade deadline. A very average infielder getting squeezed out by an up-and-coming prospect or even someone who isn’t as successful in an everyday role but could thrive off the bench makes sense.

Essentially, the Mets would be looking for a better version of Wendle. If the Detroit Tigers fall out of the playoff race, Gio Urshela is the player to target. He always should have been the player the Mets ended up with considering how unsure they were over the Baty/Mark Vientos combination.

Of course, there’s an even bigger move to make if things shook out this way. Baty to a part-time role with an Alex Bregman rental? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, folks.