The New York Mets are 2-8 in their last 10 games and saw the Philadelphia Phillies take over first place in the National League East this past weekend.
While the Mets’ woes can be addressed with improved play on the field, it may be their front office that can help facilitate better days ahead. The Major League Baseball trade deadline on July 31 is fast approaching, and New York’s struggles could nudge them to make a few extra moves.
What the Mets have that developing teams who are not in the postseason race might want are pitching prospects, and they can include them in trade packages to help improve the team at the Major League level.
How the Metsâ Front Office Can Improve the Roster
On Friday, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon broke down the latest rumors and news about the upcoming MLB trade deadline. Rosenthal and Sammon agreed that the direction the New York Mets may go this year is to trade from within the organization’s strengths.
“After trading multiple minor-league pitchers last year, the Mets possess enough attractive arms in their farm system to supplement their roster without dealing their top pitching prospects, rival evaluators familiar with the organization said,” reported the duo from The Athletic.
“The Mets traded four minor-league pitchers last year: Tyler Stuart (for Jesse Winker), Kade Morris (Paul Blackburn), Paul Gervase (Tyler Zuber) at the deadline, and Eric Orze (Jose Siri) over the offseason.”
New York has Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong as their top two pitching prospects on MLB Pipeline. Still, it appears unlikely they would deal either unless they received multiple players with proven talent at the Major League level in a trade. Sproat, 24, is on the cusp of a promotion from Triple-A Syracuse but may need more time to develop. Tong, 22, has 107 strikeouts in 67 innings this season at Double-A Binghamton and has a 1.75 ERA.
Mets Eyeing Help in Outfield and Bullpen
According to Rosenthal and Sammon’s report, the New York Mets view center field and the bullpen as two areas of the roster that could use reinforcements.
“The Mets are monitoring the market for help in center field and the bullpen, league sources said. Speculatively, other possible and more expensive targets, such as a frontline starter, may emerge,” the MLB reporters wrote for The Athletic.
“Last summer, the Mets addressed modest needs such as middle relievers, rotation depth and a designated hitter through the depth of their farm system. This year, other clubs like a bunch of their pitchers beyond any public top-25 list. Zach Thornton, Douglas Orellana and others stir intrigue.”
Outfielders rumored to be on the trade market are Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox, Jesus Sanchez of the Miami Marlins, and Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels. All three are low-average players who possess power, but Robert makes the most sense for the Mets if they desire an upgrade in center field.
There are several relievers in the trade rumor mill, with Jake Bird of the Colorado Rockies and Felix Bautista of the Baltimore Orioles leading the pack. Adding Bautista to the Mets’ bullpen would create a scary one-two punch with closer Edwin Diaz.
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