What to Expect from the Mets at the Trade Deadline

Andrew Chafin image source: Marqueesportsnetwork.com

By Ethan Marshall

The New York Mets’ acquisition of starting pitcher Rich Hill is likely just the beginning of a busy trade deadline for the team. While the team hopes for reinforcements to be on the way for the starting rotation in the forms of Jacob deGrom and Carlos Carrasco, there are still areas in which the team can improve.

Perhaps the three most likely spots the Mets will look to improve ahead of the deadline are in the bullpen, starting rotation and at third base. The Mets have already been linked to several players likely to be dealt, including Trevor Story, Josh Donaldson, Kris Bryant, Tyler Anderson and Asdrubal Cabrera. They’ve also shown interest in Minnesota Twins ace Jose Berrios, who is arbitration-eligible next season. Additionally, with the Mets reportedly being one of a few teams sending scouts to watch the Cubs/Diamondbacks game today, they could also be interested in Craig Kimbrel, Andrew Chafin, Ryan Tepera, Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Escobar.

When it comes to relievers, Kimbrel may be the sexy name to go for, but the most sensible name for the Mets is likely Chafin. He’d bring a second lefty arm to the bullpen, complimenting Aaron Loup, and is capable enough to get righties out as well. In 39.1 innings this season, Chafin has pitched to a 1.37 ERA and held left-handed hitters to a .150 average and right-handed hitters to .135. The Cubs also likely wouldn’t be asking for as much in return compared to Kimbrel, Bryant and Kyle Hendricks.

It will be interesting to see how aggressive the Mets are in pursuit of a starting pitcher. On paper, they could have a capable rotation by the day of the deadline, consisting of deGrom, Marcus Stroman, Taijuan Walker, Carlos Carrasco and Tylor Megill, plus Hill. They also expect David Peterson and Noah Syndergaard to return later this season. However, injuries can be unpredictable, and with Carrasco and deGrom rehabbing through injuries right now, the Mets are presently short on starting pitchers.

They could go after someone who can make a few starts as the rotation gets healthy before being moved to the bullpen. Anderson, who’s pitched to a 4.35 ERA, would fit that mold. Alternatively, they can make a big splash and go after Berrios, Max Scherzer, Hendricks or Luis Castillo. With the exception of Scherzer, each of these pitchers are signed through at least next season. However, Scherzer may have the highest asking price, as the Nationals may be more reluctant to trade him to a team within their own division and are only now considering the idea of trading him. Additionally, Scherzer would have to waive his no-trade clause for a deal to be finalized.

With a Cubs rebuild looking more and more likely, they may be willing to part with their ace in Hendricks, who is under contract through the 2023 season, plus a vesting option in 2024. Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, who worked closely with Berrios in 2019 as the Twins’ assistant pitching coach, has urged the front office to pursue him. The Reds may be a bit reluctant to trade Castillo now due to the rough season he’s had, but after posting a 1.71 ERA in June and 1.82 ERA so far in July, they could look to trade him while he’s hot.

In order to acquire any of these pitchers, the Mets would likely have to part with at least one of their top prospects. While Francisco Alvarez, Matt Allan and Brett Baty may be viewed as untouchable, it’s possible the Mets could be willing to part with players like JT Ginn, Mark Vientos, Pete Crow-Armstrong or even Ronny Mauricio for the right player.

If the Mets are to add any big bats at the deadline, it most likely would be at third base. While JD Davis’ return has helped give them more offensive production from the position, his defense there leaves much to be desired. It’s likely that the Mets would only trade for a third baseman if it’s one of the bigger names available. The main candidates are Kris Bryant, Josh Donaldson and Trevor Story. If the Mets were to acquire any of those three, it’s possible Davis is traded too, either in a deal involving these players or one for a pitcher. The Mets have reportedly shown interest in Bryant for a while, so he could be their main target among the three names. As for Story, he could fill in at shortstop until Francisco Lindor returns from his oblique strain, at which point he’d likely shift to third base. Despite the fact Donaldson, unlike Story and Bryant, is under contract beyond the 2021 season, he may have the least expensive trade value of the three due to his age (35), the fact he’s due $21 million each of the next two years and his offensive production decreasing exponentially since signing with the Twins prior to the 2020 season. The Mets may be better off trading top prospects for Bryant or Story than acquiring a player on the decline with an albatross contract.

Mets Team President Sandy Alderson and Acting General Manager Zack Scott will have their work cut for them over the next seven days. It’ll be interesting to see just how aggressive they are in their trade pursuits. If there’s one thing the Steve Cohen era has taught us about the Mets so far, it’s to not be surprised if they end up making a huge trade.