Dr. L’s remedies to fix the Mets

Two months left in the season. At 52-45, the Mets sit 3rd in the NL East. So, for the final 40% of the games, what should they do to help themselves secure a playoff berth? First, it’s important to understand that playoffs aren’t a foregone conclusion for any team. Therefore, what can we do to maximize our chances? In order of needs:

1. Contrary to many reports, the Mets have a shortage of starting pitching. That is, MLB options that can take the ball every fifth day until November, if necessary. With Matt Harvey out and Zack Wheeler not a sure thing, Jacob deGrom and Bartolo Colon seem solid. Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz are pitching with injuries and have an innings shortage coming up. Logan Verrett and Sean Gilmartin are options for a 5th spot and to fill in for Syndergaard and Matz to limit innings. If Gabriel Yona or Seth Lugo have to start, the Mets would be reaching the end of their pitching limit, untested as it may be. However, the starting pitching shortage around MLB may make it quite costly, and honestly, very few options excite.

2. The Mets do not need a big bat, they need the bats they have to produce. However, a right handed hitting outfielder would be a help balance the roster.

3. The Mets have four reliable bullpen pieces in Hansel Robles, Jerry Blevins, Addison Reed, and Jeurys Familia. That’s the most any other contender has. However, Terry Collins has a habit of abusing relievers so we may need another one.

What excess do the Mets have to trade with? They have three corner outfielders to fit two spots. They have some decent middle infield prospects in the minors in Gavin Cecchini and Dilson Herrera. They also have some decent arms in Yona and Robert Gsellman. So, while they don’t have much to trade, they don’t need too much.

First player that I would look to move is Curtis Granderson. Granderson is a heck of a guy, he is very good in the clubhouse, and he keeps the team loose with jokes. He is also 35+ years old and is not producing too much more than we should be expecting. Granderson WAR as per FanGraphs by year:

2012: 2.7, 684 pa

2013: 1.6, 245 pa

2014: 1.2, 654 pa

2015: 5.1, 682 pa

2016: 1.0, 392 pa

Also, while Granderson has ranked negatively on defense for four out of five years, even I notice him not reaching certain flyballs this year he would have previously caught, including one on Saturday night that put the game out of reach for the Mets. Too, while he has a year left on his deal, Branch Rickey said: “better to trade a player a year too early than a year too late.”

But fans cry, “what about Granderson’s leadership”? Do the Mets still need it? Does Neil Walker, Asdrubal Cabrera, James Loney, Jose Reyes, or all the youngsters that went through the playoffs last year need it? Come on folks.

So, who wants Granderson? First is the Cleveland Indians. Mickey Brantley had another setback and this team has been holding it together with pitching. A young team with only four outfielders on its 40 man roster, has only 3 left handed hitters on the 40 man roster, and has no playoff experience? I think they might be interested.

Next up, the Baltimore Orioles. They have 11 righty hitters and 5 lefties, and of the five outfielders on the 40 man, one is a lefty hitting outfielder that has 9 at bats!

Lastly, we move to our buddies in Motown. They have four outfielders on the 40 man, including Mike Aviles, an infielder his whole life, and Tyler Collins, who has 38 atbats, hitting a solid .184 and is one of their 3 lefty hitters on the 40 man roster. Also, the Tigers have only five infielders on their 40 man roster.

There would be more teams, like the Astros, Giants, or Mariners that need a bat but the top three are featured above. The Indians have pitching and while the Orioles have more hitting, they are top heavy with four good hitters carrying the club.

So, what should they do?

The Mets should first look to the Indians to make a match to bring in a pitcher like Carlos Carrasco;

Activate T. J. Rivera or Travis Taijeron to fill the righty outfield bat;

To fill the reliever position, I would take a shot at the newly released Drew Storen. I would put in a claim because it’s hard to believe that a pitcher like Storen won’t get claimed when his numbers this year are all in-line with previous results but had bad luck with homers. The Blue Jays would be happy to get rid of Storen if the Mets would take the money off their hands.

Bonus trades:

Antonio Bastardo plus $3MM to the Pirates for Jon Niese. What is there to lose?

Yasiel Puig and Frankie Montas for Wilmer Flores and Zack Wheeler. Familiar offer for a player just as talented as the one they ran from last year, that isn’t annually injured and a very good RHP prospect. The Mets will rid themselves of a player they don’t know how to use and get a player to plug into the middle if Cespedes leaves. The Dodgers get a pitcher that is ready now, but will cost them a pitcher that may be just as good in two years.