3 NY Mets trade targets plus Willson Contreras not coming to Flushing this year

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Willson Contreras rumors linking him to the New York Mets was speculative at best. With James McCann underperforming, it made some sense for the Mets to at least consider the hot-hitting Chicago Cubs catcher. However, with McCann able to play well behind the plate and already having a relationship with the pitchers, it’s too big of a risk to move on.

Contreras isn’t the only once-sought-after trade target for the Mets we can already write off. There are three others I’m convinced aren’t going to Flushing in anything more than the road greys.

1) NY Mets trade target Josh Bell isn’t coming here

Josh Bell is having the kind of season we could only hope Dominic Smith would put together. The Washington Nationals first baseman is in the final year of his contract and set to hit the open market. He has become a prime trade candidate for a contender like the Mets to scout.

However, with the Nationals sharing a division, it’s already tough to land him. Add in the fact that Bell isn’t just a salary dump or an aging rental. He is a very productive player and someone that the Nationals can easily get some good value back in return for.

There’s already an added price on Bell in any trade negotiation with the Mets because of the rivalry. Add in how well he is playing plus the market of available players, the Nationals could get a much better haul from someone else. The Mets don’t seem interested in subtracting any major pieces from their farm system. Even if they were willing to part with Ronny Mauricio, swapping him straight up for Bell doesn’t feel like quite enough.

Bell will get traded. It just won’t be to the Mets.

2) NY Mets trade target Luis Castillo isn’t coming here

There have been plenty of past Mets rumors with the name Luis Castillo connected to it. This dates back to the offseason when it was clear the Mets would make a move. They eventually did so by adding Chris Bassitt in a trade with the Oakland Athletics. The Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher might be the best available arm at this year’s trade deadline. Young and productive, he has team control beyond 2022 which makes him even more enticing to add.

The Mets just don’t have as great of a need to add to their rotation right now. Their guys are either healthy or getting healthier. David Peterson and Trevor Williams are their starting pitcher depth. So is Tylor Megill, an arm they can hopefully get back into the mix at some point later this year.

A dying need for adding a pitcher of Castillo’s caliber makes him a worse fit for the Mets. Most of all, it’s the light market of starting pitcher availability that’ll drive up the price further.

Castillo is no guarantee to get traded. If the Reds do find a suitor, it won’t be the Mets. They simply do not have the need to make a move for him at the expected cost of what Cincinnati will be asking.

3) NY Mets trade target Ian Happ isn’t coming here

Ian Happ isn’t a name all that connected to the Mets but he very well could be. A teammate of Contreras in Chicago, he’s a versatile left fielder with the ability to play all over the field. He’s basically Jeff McNeil

There is little chance of the Mets acquiring Happ barring a major injury. Only then should they have an interest in making a trade for one of the best-fitting candidates for everyone on the summer hot stove.

Need an outfielder? Happ could be a solution. What about a second base? Call the Cubs. Happ has decent power and this year is reaching base at a nice rate. On the Mets, he could conceivably play all over the field and give the club some more versatility on defense. With Dominic Smith relegated to DH and first base duties and J.D. Davis barely touching his glove all year, it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to add a guy like Happ.

Then comes the cost of what it’ll take. Happ is under team control through next season. This fact makes him all the more valuable on the trade market. Chicago has no need to flip him at the trade deadline. Unless the asking price blows their minds, they’d be better off keeping him with a plan to field offers from 29 teams over the winter.

The Mets will make trade deadline additions. They won’t include these three players.

3 trade candidates the Mets should avoid. dark. Next

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