The trade deadline is now just a week away and several teams are still unsure how aggressively they should buy or sell between now and then. According to a report from Will Samson of The Athletic, the Mets are hoping to make a deal but the extent of their deal will likely depend on what other clubs make available.
The Mets had a rough season in 2023. Despite earning the highest salary in MLB history, he fell out of contention and ended up being traded at the deadline. That included scrolling through names of similar tents Max Scherzer again Justin Verlanderthey eat the salary to bring back the big hopes that strengthen their farm system.
As we enter 2024, they have added to their list but focused more on short-term deals, improving their chances of competing in 2024 while leaving many future variables unchanged. This year has had ups and downs but they are currently 51-48 and have the last Wild Card spot in the National League, so it makes sense that they would consider themselves buyers.
Hanging on to that playoff spot will be a challenge in a tight race. There are three clubs within a game of the Mets and seven within 4.5 games. Given that the club has been trying to overhaul its farm system and is still not a sure thing about the playoffs this year, it may opt for additions that don’t involve big costs. Sammon reports that this is the club’s way of seeing things, as they will be looking to add in injury-free ways in the coming seasons, a similar concept to their most recent season.
Samson uses the latter Phil Maton trade for example, as the Mets took that contract off the hands of the Rays without giving up any potential cash. With the Mets willing to spend a lot of money under owner Steve Cohen, taking money to reduce potential expenses may be their preferred trade option. That is despite the fact that they pay a whopping 110% tax on any other form of spending as they do not pay triple the competitive balance tax which is much higher than the top tier.
A similar trade to deal with the barn may come next week, using Samsoni Chad Green of the Blue Jays as an example to consider. The Jays picked up a club option for Green’s services that will pay him $21MM for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. They are now out of contention and may be interested in fishing under the competitive balance sheet, which could lead both sides to engage in a trade that further strengthens the Mets’ bullpen and mostly gives the Jays salary relief. Regardless of how the trade ultimately plays out, upgrading the bullpen makes a lot of sense as the Mets’ relievers have a combined earned run average of 4.14 which ranks them 19th in the league.
But as Samson points out, what the Mets do at the end of the season will be determined by what’s available. All year, the narrative surrounding this summer’s deadline has focused on the lack of clear sellers. With the playoffs extended, there are currently only six teams more than 7.5 games out of a postseason berth. According to Sammon and other reports from around the baseball world, several clubs are already in various discussions and trying to figure out their offensive plans for next week. Among the strong clubs in the sales camp, some of them are rebuilding clubs that may be looking to raise prospects, such as the Marlins and White Sox.
Somehow, it seems like the Mets will be making additions, even if they end up being modest. The flip side of that, of course, is that they don’t intend to be salespeople. There were times before the season when the Mets were struggling and it looked like that first baseman might be possible Pete Alonso can be made available. He is a free agent and it would make sense to make him available if the club is out of contention.
But now that they’ve moved up to the playoffs, that doesn’t seem like a possibility now. Sammon reports that the club are unlikely to trade Alonso, even if they suffer from the loss next week. That would mean leaving some trade value on the table but the Mets could get a little of that by making Alonso a qualifying offer, although the pick would be modest since CBT payers get a compensatory pick after the fourth round.
Sammon also throws cold water on the Mets’ trade from their solid rotation. It was reported earlier this month that the Mets were considering trading the starting pitcher even if they stayed in trade camp, simply because of the number of active starters. Kodai Senga has been on the injured list all year but could rejoin the club this week, featuring in a mix of Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, Christian Scott, David Peterson, Jose Quintana again Taylor Megillwith Jose Butto again Adrian Houser again on the roster but currently working out of the bullpen.
It would make sense to trade someone from that group to improve the rest of the roster and hopefully the depth will be strong enough to last the season, but Samson reports that the club would be reluctant to do so unless they were blown away. by offering. If those offers were to be considered, Severino and Quintana would be the most logical candidates as they will be free agents. Manaea could also return to the open market but has a player option for 2025 which will make him difficult to pick up in a trade.
Again, foreign market forces play a role here. As Sammon noted, many teams want to start hitting and the lack of trades could lead to the Mets receiving an interesting offer that tempts them away from their choice to focus on the current team.
Sammon also added that improving right field is another area the club could explore, with the caveat that it may be difficult to achieve that without sacrificing talent. Star Marte had a solid season overall, with a .278/.328/.416 line and 115 wRC+. But he is now 35 years old and his health has become a growing problem in recent years. He is currently on the injured list due to a bone injury in his knee and the club has recently turned around Tyrone Taylor, DJ Stewart again Jeff McNeil with a position unless one of them holds it firmly to the job.
The list of potential trades includes both outfielders and cornerbacks Taylor Ward, Randy Arozarena, Brent Rooker, Jesse Winker, Lane Thomas, Tommy Pham, Kevin Pillar again Miguel Andujar. But all of those guys are still in their arbitration years or playing on free agent deals, meaning their clubs can prioritize leverage over salary cap flexibility in any trade talks. Corner outfielders making significant salaries include George Springer, Mitch Haniger and an old friend Michael Confortothough it’s unclear if the Mets would be interested in taking on significant cash to acquire either of those guys.
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