A trade deadline strategy for the Mets to rip away from the pages of Brodie Van Wagenen

As we sit at the end of June it's becoming more and more realistic that the New York Mets are potentially going to be sellers at this year's trade deadline. While it is questionable at this point in terms of what pieces they could actually sell off, one player that could draw some moderate interest is starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco.

Carrasco is in the final year of his deal with the Mets and with so many teams in contention for the Wild Card, pitching options may be sparse and Carrasco could provide a team with some starting pitching depth down the stretch. This is where General Manager Billy Eppler can take a page out of former GM Brodie Van Wagenen's playbook.

The Mets front office could still make moves to improve this year's club as well as next year's with some key moves at this year's Trade Deadline.

If you revisit Van Wagenen's moves surrounding the 2019 trade deadline he traded then-starting pitcher Jason Vargas to the Philadelphia Phillies for a minor league player, as well as acquired a controllable starting pitcher in Marcus Stroman for 2 minor league pitchers at the time. This strategy would bode well for the Mets in regards to getting something in return for a player like Carrasco who has no real future with the team, while also adding a player they can use to rebuild for 2024.

When you look at teams that could potentially utilize Carrasco's services there are several you could name off the bat. Organizations such as the Baltimore Orioles, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Tampa Bay Rays, or even the Cincinnati Reds as teams that could use a veteran starter among their pitching depth down the stretch.

That is step one of the Mets' to-do list in my opinion as they should also look at the market for another starting pitcher that has years of control remaining. The Mets' biggest weakness this season surprisingly has been their starting pitching staff which has consistently let them down most nights this season. If they can find a starting pitcher that can be had for the right price they have to evaluate making that move.