3 trades to make after losing out on Carlos Correa

3) NY Mets trade target: Third baseman Yandy Diaz

One last interesting name I wanted to throw in the ring in terms of potential names the Mets could look into would be current Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Yandy Diaz. Diaz is coming off of a phenomenal 2022 campaign where he hit .296/.401/.423 with 9 home runs and 71 RBIs over 137 games played. He also walked more than he struck out with 60 strikeouts to 78 walks.

While obviously, the power numbers don't immediately jump out, the 31-year-old Diaz is regarded as one of the best pure hitters in baseball. Diaz's name has recently been floated around as a name that could hit the trade block sooner rather than later as Diaz is approaching his second year of arbitration and will see a significant pay raise that could approach close to $6 million.

As we all know, the Rays are notoriously known to trade Major League talent that doesn't comfortably fit their price range no matter how much of a contributor they may have been the previous season. The Rays could be looking to sell high on Diaz, who isn't a free agent until 2025, and receive some younger talent in return.

Diaz would be another option for the Mets in the infield at third base, first base, as well as at designated hitter. He would also make for an ideal leadoff hitter as he is one of the most patient hitters in baseball at the plate as he rarely strikes out.

Plain and simple the Mets have some potential options they can explore to make their present ballclub better prior to Opening Day and I have a feeling General Manager Billy Eppler has been working the phones since the minute they stepped away from the Correa deal.