If the Mets trade Tomas Nido to the Rangers, this is who they should target

Trade buzz around the New York Mets has picked up with James McCann and Carlos Carrasco being the two named talked about in the rumors. We know the Mets will do something about the catchers with Omar Narvaez in the mix. What if it’s not McCann they trade away?

The Texas Rangers are the team previously speculated about for McCann. With Jacob deGrom now on their roster, Tomas Nido might actually make more sense. We know deGrom enjoyed pitching to him over the years. Landing in Texas as his personal catcher could be on the way.

If this is the direction the two teams go, the Mets will have a chance to add to their bullpen. A backup/platoon catcher like Nido won’t award the Mets with an elite reliever. They should still be able to get a decent one in return. Fortunately, the Rangers have the guy.

Rangers reliever Brett Martin makes sense for the Mets in a Tomas Nido trade

Let’s do a quick rundown on the major details about Martin. He’s left-handed, turns 28 next season, and has a minor league option left. Lifetime, he’s 8-15 with a 3.85 ERA. He was very god in 2020 and again in 2021. Last year, in 50 relief innings, Martin was 1-7 with a 4.14 ERA.

Convinced? Maybe not yet.

The Mets have already successfully added Brooks Raley to the bullpen. The lefty specialist is a nice addition, but he is older. A second lefty seems necessary even if Martin doesn’t even begin the season on the MLB roster.

The splits are what you’re dying to see. Against 67 left-handed batters last year, Martin held them to a .194/.242/.290 slash line. Righties have had their way with him. Martin surrendered a .292/.359/.446 slash line against them.

Is it too much of the same going after such a one-sided pitcher?

The lifetime numbers are a bit more balanced. Righties have slashed .277/.330/.426 against him with lefties batting .242/.297/.332.

Trading Nido isn’t something many Mets fans would find appetizing. The Mets can, however, acquire something much more attractive in return for him. Some lefty reliever depth seems like a nice return for a part-time catcher on his way toward losing playing time.

As for the Rangers, they have three other lefty relievers projected to make their Opening Day roster.