3 dumbest Mets trade deadline decisions Billy Eppler could make this month

With the trade deadline right around the corner, the New York Mets are going to have to face the music sooner rather than later in regard to whether they are going to be buyers or sellers at the deadline. As it currently stands the only realistic shot the Mets have at the postseason is by grabbing one of the National League Wild Card spots as they are absolutely buried at the bottom of the National League East race.

Whether the Mets buy or sell at the deadline, there are a few moves that General Manager Billy Eppler would be ill-advised to make. There are a few players the Mets could sell off who are scheduled to be free agents at the end of the year such as David Robertson, Tommy Pham, and Mark Canha. But at the same time, there are also deals they need to think heavily about in terms of not only this year's roster but next year's team as well.

1) First bad NY Mets trade: Giving up assets for Shohei Ohtani

It's becoming more and more likely that the Los Angeles Angels may become sellers at the trade deadline with the recent rash of injuries and the team quickly falling below .500 in the month of July. If the Angels truly believe they are out of the race, Shohei Ohtani may be one of the biggest trade chips at the deadline in baseball history.

Unfortunately for the Mets, they are not in a position where Shohei Ohtani could put them over the top this season. There are so many players underperforming on this roster which has led to their disappointing record, and with Ohtani scheduled to be a free agent this offseason, there is no guarantee that he returns to Queens if the Mets dealt for him.

If the Mets were to trade for Ohtani they would most likely have to deal a significant part of their farm system and possibly a player on the Major League roster for the deal to make sense for the Angels. I believe the Mets could ill-afford to part with young talent on one of the oldest rosters in the league, especially when Owner Steve Cohen's goal was to rebuild the farm system.

The Mets would be better served to write Ohtani a blank check this winter rather than trade for his services this summer.