3 Mets trade deadline packages to improve the top of their farm system

The New York Mets will be sellers this trade deadline to get help for 2024 and improve the depth of their farm system. In this sense, rental-type players such as Tommy Pham, David Robertson, and Carlos Carrasco would be in the trading block looking to generate some return.

Similarly, the team could sell some of its controllable pieces such as Brooks Raley or Jose Quintana, to try to maximize their return. However, an interesting strategy for the team would be to combine some of these players with prospects from the organization, in search of getting other prospects with greater projections.

1) The Mets should trade Brooks Raley, Carlos Carrasco and prospect infielder William Lugo plus cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Nick Nastrini and Damon Keith

The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking for starting and relief pitchers to continue competing for the lead in the National League West Division. In this sense, the Mets could offer a great value player like Brooks Raley, along with Carlos Carrasco, to fill this need.

Raley would be the headlining player of this trade because he is a reliever with command and control for one more season. Carrasco has developed a new grip on his slider that has opened eyes to a possible improvement in their performance. Something the Dodgers could be intriguing.

However, despite the fact that Raley has great value, the Mets could further enhance his return with two fundamental actions. First, assuming the rest of the contract of both players plus including an average prospect of the organization. In this sense, taking off the contract for a team like the Dodgers, who are looking to stay under the luxury tax and boost their payroll to fight for Shohei Ohtani, could be interesting for them.

Additionally, the Mets can include infielder William Lugo, the organization's No. 25 prospect. Lugo is an interesting hitting profile with room for improvement, who hasn't been able to stay consistent but has the ability to hit for power.

In exchange, the Mets could acquire the organization's No. 9 prospect, right-hander Nick Nastrini plus No. 23 prospect, outfielder Damon Keith. Nastrini has a fastball that hits 98 mph and has the stuff of a frontline starter, and could be the Mets' #1 or #2 pitching prospect right away. Keith is an outfielder who possesses the best combination of power and patience in the Dodgers system, renowned for having one of the best tools for developing quality players.

2) The Mets should trade Jose Quintana, David Robertson, and left handed pitching prospect Javier Atencio plus cash to the Tampa Bay Rays for Cole Wilcox and Colby White

Another organization that finds itself in need of rotation and bullpen help is the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays find themselves fighting for the lead in their division and need starting pitchers after losing Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen early in the season.

The Mets could send Jose Quintana, an efficient left-handed pitcher who has a guaranteed contract through 2024, along with David Robertson who has established himself as one of the best closers in MLB this year. This would immediately improve the Rays' chances of beating the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East.

To further boost the return of one of the best farm systems in the league, the Mets can take on both pitchers' 2023 contracts would be ideal for a Tampa organization that doesn't have enough financial slack. Additionally, the Mets can include Javier Atencio, a left-handed pitcher who is currently the No. 24 prospect in the organization, where the Rays could improve their delivery to cut walks and fulfill his potential.

In exchange, the Mets could receive No. 8 prospect from the Rays organization, Cole Wilcox, and No. 26 prospect, Colby White. Both right-handed pitchers, Wilcox has the ceiling of being a frontline starter who has seen his development slowed by Tommy John surgery in 2021 but possesses a power fastball and elite command. White is another pitcher who recently had Tommy John surgery but could be a top reliever soon with a 100 mph fastball and a splitter that works against lefties.

Cole Wilcox would break into the top five of the Mets organization, while Colby White could automatically break into the top 15. This strategy could enhance the Mets' farm system with talent that could be brought in as soon as 2024-2025.