As the New York Mets go into the All-Star break, the Mets sit just 0.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. The Mets should consider themselves extremely lucky to be in such a position. The Mets lost nine straight games and then went 8-17 before the Kansas City Royals series victory. The Mets could make a massive trade, though, to get them over the top:
Blockbuster Trades the Mets Could Make
5. Mitch Keller, SP
In a realistic trade market, Mitch Keller is definitely at the top of the list for a lot of teams including New York. The Mets would love to have another reliable starter, even with the return of several aces. Keller is a big strikeout pitcher who has the capability of being an ace. The amazin’s would no doubt love a trade that could fortify an battered rotation.
4. Felix Bautista, CP
Felix Bautista would be a fascinating fit for New York. The Mets have used more pitchers than any other MLB team this season. Bautista would make the Mets’ bullpen a lot better. The bullpen shouldn’t be the biggest worry for New York for several reasons, including the fact that even minor trades could help. However, Bautista is a great fit for New York and they shouldn’t shy away from trading for him.
3. Eugenio Suarez, 3B
Eugenio Suarez is having a season to remember. Suarez has 31 home runs with 78 RBI’s and a respectable .250 average. Suarez is having a career year and would no doubt make the Mets’ offense the scariest in baseball. The Mets already have a strong lineup with the “fabulous four.” The main question, however, is whether the Mets want to rely on young stars or want to win the World Series now. Suarez is a free agent next after this season and would be expensive to get. However, the Mets definitely shouldn’t completely pivot from such a trade, as it could make a deadly offense unstoppable.
2. Oneil Cruz, CF
As the Mets search for a center fielder, a fascinating target would be Oneil Cruz. Even though Cruz is young and the Pirates need young talent, the Pittsburgh Pirates need lots of talent. Trading Cruz could give the Pirates something to be excited about, as they need young talent. Young talent? The Mets have a heck of a lot that. The Mets already have four youngsters in the majors and close to 10 in the minors.
Cruz hasn’t lived up to his potential yet, but with some discipline, Cruz could become a superstar. The Mets shouldn’t just think about now. The Mets are a younger team than many think, and making such a trade could make them a force to be reckoned with now and in the future.
1. Luis Robert Jr., CF
Sure, you can try to downplay the importance of Luis Robert Jr. Robert Jr. is batting .190 with 9 homers and has gotten worse since his career year in 2023. However, he is still just 27, cheap, and is under control for several more seasons. Robert Jr. has the ability to become what he was again with discipline at the plate.
Since the Mets have a lot of young players, the Mets could make this trade pretty easily. Robert Jr. would be a very interesting addition into a lineup with several superstars unlike the lineup in Chicago. Perhaps Juan Soto could teach either Robert Jr. or Cruz how to not swing at every pitch. One things for sure: Robert Jr. has a proven track record and can hit for average and power. The floor is low, but the ceiling is very high.
As it is in every season, the Mets need to get better at the deadline. Any of these targets would call for a very interesting turn to the season. The Mets are already good. But now’s the time to take action to make them great.
Main Image: © Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
