5 NY Mets trade destinations for David Robertson if they sell

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David Robertson has been everything the New York Mets could've asked for this season. That also makes him one of their biggest trade pieces.

If the Mets decide to sell, Robertson would instantly become one of the hottest commodities on the trade market. He has a 2.06 ERA with 13 saves, and has shown the ability to pitch multiple innings on several occasions this season. With World Series experience to boot, Robertson and his one year deal would net the Mets a decent return, since nearly every team in the league could use a player of his caliber.

Of course, this move would indicate that the Mets are throwing in the towel on the season, which we have no idea if they'll do or not. Regardless, if the Mets decide to become sellers, these five playoff contenders would all benefit enormously from David Robertson's talent.

The Texas Rangers would immediately call the Mets if David Robertson was available

One of the best and most suprising teams in baseball, the Texas Rangers have a complete lineup top to bottom, and their starting pitching has done well in wake of the Jacob deGrom injury. Their bullpen is a different story, with a 4.54 ERA that puts them as the sixth worst in baseball.

The Rangers have blown exactly 50% of their save chances, which isn't going to cut it in what figures to be a competitive AL West playoff push. Current closer Will Smith has recorded 15 saves on 17 opportunities, but his 3.08 ERA tells a story of vulnerability in the ninth inning. All other Rangers relievers are a combined 1-16 on saves, so the need for any sort of stability in the late innings is crucial.

Robertson would bring championship pedigree and much improved ninth innings to another team that spent in the offseason with World Series aspirations. In return, the Mets would be hopeful to gain some high end pitching talent for their farm system, a soft spot which they attempted to remedy during the 2023 draft. If the value of Robertson would return a young pitching prospect, the team would be wise to consider it heavily.

Both the Mets and Rangers spent loads of money in free agency to be contenders, and so far it's only worked out well for Texas. If the Mets make up their mind to take a mulligan on this season, the Rangers would be desperate to take a rental on the former All Star.

The surprising Arizona Diamondbacks should inquire about David Robertson if they're serious about competing this season

At the beginning of the season, even suggesting that the Diamondbacks would be buying from the Mets would be enough of a take to get laughed at. Yet just a few months later, Arizona is looking like a team built for a playoff run, with the Mets far on the outside looking in.

One of the biggest factors holding Arizona back from being in elite company is their bullpen. The Diamondbacks have been running a closer by committee all season long, with Andrew Chafin and former Met Miguel Castro leading the way. All closers in Arizona have done a decent job thus far, but it's doubtful you'd be able to trust any of them in a playoff game.

The Mets would do best to trade Robertson to a team where they could extract the most value, and Arizona and their third ranked farm system would be just that. The Diamondbacks have a deep minor league squad, but it remains to be seen if they're willing to go all in this season. With a low payroll and a young core centered around Corbin Carroll, they have the option to be patient and wait for their core to keep developing.

Still, for a franchise that hasn't had a playoff berth since 2017, the Diamondbacks should still be a bit agressive at the trade deadline. David Robertson gives them a mentor and experienced veteran that they can trust to get back into the playoffs and potentially shock the world once again.

If the Chicago Cubs decide to buy at the deadline, expect them to call the Mets about David Robertson

The Chicago Cubs are just 1/2 a game better than the Mets at the trade deadline, yet might emerge as buyers given their place in the division race. While the Mets are already far out of the picture behind the Atlanta Braves, the Cubs are just 7 games out of a title in the NL Central.

The Cubs bullpen has been average at best, but where they really find themselves struggling is closing out games. Their top closer, Adbert Alzolay has just seven saves in the first half, although he has pitching well with a 2.29 ERA. Outside of that, the rest of the bullpen has an ERA above 4, and none of them should be trusted to close out games during what figures to be a close NL Central title race.

However, this all depends on if the Cubs decide to buy instead of sell, with their direction just as unclear as the Mets. Still, the return from Robertson would be good from any team, and the Cubs are no different. MLB.com had them as the 10th best farm system entering the season, and while their top end talent is mostly position players, the Mets should still explore a trade if the Cubs buy.

Two years ago, the Mets took on a rental in Javier Baez from the selling Cubs. Just a few years later, we might see an exact opposite scenario play out.

The Tampa Bay Rays should look to aquire David Robertson to bolster their only weakness

The Rays are always a mystery when it comes to financials, as they continue to contend every season despite having one of the smallest payrolls in baseball. While the idea of them trading for David Robertson seems like it goes against their philosophy, the Rays should at least entertain the idea in order to keep pace in the hardest divsion in baseball.

It's hard to find anything wrong with the Rays start this season, but their bullpen has been a point of weakness. Injuries have depleted this squad, and their bullpen's depth is being tested as a result. Current closer Jason Adam has been less than stellar, going 11-16 in save opportunities.

For the Mets, trading with the Rays can be a bit of a risk. The team is elite at evaluating talent, and always seems to come away with the winning side after a few years. The Mets seem to have gotten a solid return in the Brooks Raley deal, but the Ryas have been historically good at trading. Despite this, their farm system is one of the best, and Robertson should be able to get a solid return.

Buying at the deadline would be extremely unlike the Rays, who have built up their team on development and patience. However, if the price is right, the Mets should hop back on the phone with Tampa and see if a deal can be made for the Rays to solidify themselves as World Series contenders.

The Los Angeles Dodgers should consider trading with the Mets for David Robertson to upgrade their bullpen

While the Dodgers enter the All-Star break with a NL West lead like most seasons, they have to feel a lot less comfortable about their current situation then they have in past years. With the Diamondbacks and Giants hot on their tails, the Dodgers should be looking to improve at the trade deadilne.

The biggest point of improvement for this team is their bullpen, which is second last amongst current playoff teams with a 4.43 ERA. Evan Phillips has been solid as their closer, but the rest of the bullpen could desperately use an upgrade, as the team never fully replaced Kelsey Jansen following his departure in free agency.

Aquiring David Robertson would give this championship contender some proven playoff experience, and someone they could trust in the playoffs more than Phillips. Having the two of them to lock up close wins would further solidify a bullpen that has had holes all season, which might be their undoing in a close NL West race.

Despite how good they've been for years, the Dodgers still have an elite farm system, with eight prospects in the MLB Pipeline's Top 100 rankings. While it's unlikely the Mets land a top end prospect for a rental, the Dodgers still have a great farm system, and they should have a great interest in improving their bullpen with Robertson if the Mets are sellers.

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