An emergency Mets trade to upgrade the questionable starting rotation

The New York Mets went 2-2 to open the second-half against the Miami Marlins. Eh. We would’ve liked to see much better. Aside from Luis Severino’s gem on Saturday in the team’s 1-0 victory, it wasn’t exactly a stellar four games for the Mets starting pitcher. Sean Manaea got knocked around in his five innings on Friday. Christian Scott didn’t even get the fabled 15 outs. David Peterson walked away with a win while doing another tightrope walk.

A slow-to-start offense was what caught most people’s attention. However, the lingering presence of a starting rotation without much firepower is something of concern. Kodai Senga is expected to finally debut this Friday. Regardless of his presence or not, the Mets should consider making an emergency acquisition to get the MLB trade deadline officially underway.

It’s time to call up the Chicago White Sox and swing a deal.

The Mets starting pitchers proved they need some help and Erick Fedde makes too much sense for them

First, there’s Erick Fedde who apparently figured it all out overseas last year. He’s now 7-3 with a 2.98 ERA in 20 starts for the pitiful White Sox. Controlled through next season at just $7.5 million, he’s looking like a late-blooming bargain for any team willing to give the White Sox something of value.

In this scenario, the Mets are sending them former top 100 MLB prospect Brett Baty. Is it enough? Do the White Sox nibble on a third baseman they can immediately place onto the big league roster and allow to flop or soar?

The White Sox probably won’t get any superstar prospect in exchange for Fedde. Sometimes the next best thing is a major league ready player. We can debate if Baty truly is a major league player by looking at his numbers. He is certainly a change of scenery candidate who the Mets don’t have much use for moving forward. He’ll be down to his final minor league option next year, which is a turn off for the Mets. A team like the White Sox that won’t be competing can have the patience to give him 500 plate appearances and figure out for sure what he is.

Due to the years of hype about Baty, some Mets fans may view this as too much to give up for a pitcher of Fedde’s ability. Understandable. But to hold out for his value to ever go higher would be a mistake. Strike now while the team is good, needs an additional starting pitcher, and can hold onto him for next year.

If the White Sox don’t think this return for Fedde is large enough, a lesser prospect added in would be worth it, too. Just don’t go too big to the point where what the Mets give up looks like it could have its own 1990s sitcom where it’s married to an attractive woman, has a childish demeanor, and causes more trouble than it's worth. Stay a little smaller.