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Final Mets trade deadline predictions: 2 needs they won't address, 1 they definitely will

The Mets will go internal to solve two of their biggest roster needs while strengthening themselves in another area.

By Tim Boyle |
New York Mets v San Francisco Giants
New York Mets v San Francisco Giants / Thearon W. Henderson/GettyImages
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Two bullpen additions already plus a platoon outfielder capable of starting, the New York Mets got an early jump on bettering the roster before the MLB trade deadline. There is still more to address. Will the Mets fill all of those needs?

The rising cost of pitching and names coming off the table should have us rethinking the chances of a major blockbuster. David Stearns has yet to pounce on any major trades during his tenure with the Mets. How much will change?

Taking a look at things from a prediction standpoint, we can expect the Mets to pass on addressing two of their needs with assurance that they fill another.

The Mets will not add a starting pitcher before the trade deadline

It’s going to cost a lot for the Mets to rent a starting pitcher. Even more so if they want a guy under contract for next season. For a myriad of reasons, the Mets haven’t been willing to meet the asking price for starters who’ve already been dealt. With the internal option of Jose Butto sitting there already, Christian Scott expected to be back in a couple of weeks, and more, overpaying for a starting pitcher would go against what the Mets have done up until this point.

The Mets definitely do need a starter. However, sellers seem to be holding them for ransom. Erick Fedde was the guy the Mets should’ve gotten, but the involvement of the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-team deal allowed the St. Louis Cardinals to seemingly give up very little to obtain him from the Chicago White Sox.

What’s left for the Mets isn’t great unless they’re willing to sacrifice a large part of the farm system. Expendable prospects and younger players such as Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio don’t have much intrigue for other clubs as we’d like to think.

Prediction: The Mets don’t add a starting pitcher before the deadline

The Mets will not add a left-handed reliever before the trade deadline

Dumping Jake Diekman was a move we all saw coming. We’ll always have the Aaron Judge strikeout. Beyond that moment, Diekman was a frustrating pitcher who missed bats and the strike zone. He wrapped up his Mets tenure with 24 walks in only 32 innings. The 5.63 ERA and average of 2 home runs allowed per 9 innings was more of a recent trend going in the wrong direction.

Letting Diekman go does raise the question of whether or not the Mets will be in the market for a new lefty reliever. It’s not a necessity.

The Mets have already added Alex Young off of waivers and Matt Gage in an earlier trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Add in Danny Young who has been reliable and filthy at times for them, the club has three southpaw options all with minor league options available. Cycling through them rather than adding a very average left-handed option to the bullpen makes far more sense. When the Mets play a team stacked with lefties, they can have two or three available in the bullpen. Against a right-handed hitting team, they can swap them for some right-handed arms.

Although these three could be designated as three of the lesser arms in the bullpen, none are required to stay and should continually see trips to Syracuse if they don’t perform well.

Prediction: The Mets don’t target a reliever specifically because he is left-handed

The Mets will add right-handed relief help to the bullpen before the trade deadline

It won’t be a completely quiet day for the Mets. They will add a right-handed reliever. Perhaps it does end up being a lefty, but it’s not the reason why they’d pick up a guy like Tanner Scott. He’d come to the Mets because he’s a good pitcher.

Players of the John Brebbia and Luis Garcia level are where the Mets will strike. A simple one prospect for a middle reliever fits the theme of what they’ve done thus far. They wisely picked up Phil Maton before the chaos began in a salary dump. Ryne Stanek cost an expendable prospect who’d never have a starting role on the Mets anyway. Relievers at a similar price will be what the Mets look to add.

The Mets do have to consider the injured relievers they have available in the future. Sean Reid-Foley, for instance, was pitching well for them and doesn’t have minor league options. Reed Garrett does, but he’d probably stick around in the majors once healthy. The same goes for Dedniel Nunez who could be further away from a return.

One player the team needs to consider most is Adam Ottavino. No longer trustworthy in higher leverage spots, if the Mets are going to DFA him they need to get someone they know will be better. Otherwise, why give up anything at all when you already had a below-average option available?

Prediction: The Mets add one relief pitcher to the bullpen then wait for the August waiver wire to get crazy

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