Despite the eyesore that is an under .500 record, the New York Mets are still a playoff contender at this point of the season. Thanks to the second wild card spot, the Mets only sit four games out of a playoff spot, meaning stringing a few wins together and playing consistently could catapult this team to the postseason. The urgency to make the postseason is higher than most teams due to the exorbitant payroll and expectations put on the Mets team that has thus far under-performed. The beautiful thing about the baseball season is that it is long, and the trade deadline provides an opportunity to add a fresh jolt to teams who are trying to scratch their way to the postseason.
A key factor to postseason success is pitching, which the Mets have only received consistently from Kodai Senga this season. Senga has been the best starter this season, pacing the team with a 3.34 ERA and 72 strikeouts. Much like how Senga has been the rock in the starting rotation, David Robertson has been the consistent hurler out of the pen this season. He has stepped up admirably to the closer’s role in the absence of Edwin Diaz, registering 10 saves so far this season. Outside of those two names, there has not been much to write home about with Mets pitchers, who have compiled the fifth worst ERA in the MLB. If this team wants to sniff the postseason, they’ll need to acquire some pitching help. Lucky for them, there are some pitchers available who both can start and come out of the bullpen that could help them.
Sometimes the best trades are the ones you don’t have to make. When the Mets signed Jose Quintana this offseason, they penciled him in to be a piece that signaled consistency at the back of the starting rotation. With the rotation in the shape that it is right now, Quintana might be making a larger impact than anticipated. While it will be interesting to see how his injury recovery progresses, it is worth noting that Quintana was fantastic last season after being acquired by the Cardinals, making 12 starts and registering a 2.01 ERA. If he can join the Mets and put up the same or similar numbers as last season, he will make an impact without costing the Mets any prospects or trade pieces.
When anyone is looking at the Kansas City Royals as a trade partner right now, the obvious name that pops up is Aroldis Chapman. The Royals fixed a flaw in Chapman’s mechanics, and are now ready to flip him and his low salary to another team. While that might be an interesting idea, the real value get on the Royals could be Taylor Clarke. Clarke is turning in his finest season after improving the past two years. The starter turned reliever is pitching to the tune of a 2.70 ERA, with 34 strikeouts in 30 innings. What’s perhaps most intriguing about Clarke is that he has two seasons of team control following this season, meaning he could fit into a longer strategy than just trying to scratch out a wild card spot this season. This of course also means he will come at a higher price. To take this to another level, what if the Mets could swing a deal that lands them both Clarke and Chapman from the Royals?
Anderson is a pitcher that the Mets actually had a chance at acquiring earlier this season after he was DFA’d by the Tampa Bay Rays. He ended up getting acquired by Colorado, where he has pitched to a 3.16 ERA as a Rockie. While his strikeout rate is not the highest, his BABIP of .238 signifies that he knows how to get outs. What is also impressive about Anderson is his utility. He can serve as both a starter and a reliever, which is important when you have an injury-prone rotation like the Mets do. Anderson is worth taking a swing at, and his price tag shouldn’t be too high considering his salary is at the veteran’s minimum of $720,000.
The Mets are currently facing a tough but not impossible uphill battle to get in the postseason this year. Pitching, whether it be the starters or the relievers need to be better in order for this team to compete. They don’t need to make a splash in pitching to get back on track, but they need to add performers who will be able to put out consistently good outings. With the August 1 trade deadline slowly creeping up, it is time for the team to take action.
I would like to see the Mets be buyers and sellers st the deadline and focus in adding controllable pitchers.
I would like the Mets to go after Shane Bieber. A good young solid pitcher who would fit nicely in the rotation. Cleveland needs bats because their offense is really bad.
The Mets need relief pitching. Your example of Chapman is a good one because he is a rental and the Royals wouldn’t sign him next year because he will be too expensive in their salary structure.
When Quintana get back then Megill reverts back to a depth starter. Maybe they should put him in the bullpen and promote Lucchesi for the bullpen and both of them could fill in the role of Trevor Williams.