MLB
What Should The Mets Do At The Trade Deadline?
As we inch closer and closer to the MLB Trade Deadline, a lot of fans are wondering what their New York Mets will do. Will they be buyers? Will they be sellers? Or will they fine-tune to compete in 2020? With the current state of the team, it would appear that they would be sellers. However, the front office, Mickey Callaway, and the players all feel that they still have a shot in 2019. It should be interesting to see how it all plays out and how the Mets attack the Trade Deadline.
Reasons To Sell
There are a few reasons as to why the Mets should sell-off in 2019. To start, the Mets currently sit 10-games under .500, 13.5 GB in the NL East, and 7.0 GB in the Wild Card. Though they are only 7.0 GB in the Wild Card, they still have 9 teams to jump just to make the second spot. They are also 27-42 against teams over .500 and have struggled playing within the division.
Who do the Mets have to sell? Well, the Mets have a few key assets to sell that can bring them back a potential nice return to help finish out the season, or even help them compete in 2019. Zack Wheeler’s name has been brought up a lot in rumors and seems the most viable to move. He could yield a nice return for the Mets. Other names that have been brought up include Jason Vargas, Todd Frazier, and Noah Syndergaard. With Vargas and Frazier, the Mets could maybe get some big league depth to help them down the stretch, but with Thor, the Mets can get a great return. However, the Mets are not likely to deal away one of their aces.
If the Mets were to sell-off some of their assets, their lineup is still very strong offensively. In addition, with Anthony Kay racing through the minors, the Mets may also have another starter coming on his way sooner rather than later. It would appear the Mets should be sellers, but don’t be surprised if Brodie Van Wagenen doesn’t take that route.
Reasons To Buy
For the Mets, they are many reasons as to why they should be buyers as well. Yes, they have 9 teams to get past to get into the Wild Card, but they are also only 7.0 GB. That is certainly within striking distance for them. In baseball, anything can happen, as Mickey Callaway said regarding the Mets after the first half. We saw it with the Washington Nationals. Just when they looked done for the year, they clawed their back to .500, and now hold the top Wild Card spot in the National League.
If they were to be buyers, the Mets would obviously upgrade in their bullpen. With one of the worst bullpens in all of baseball, the Mets need to get arms to help lock up baseball games. They have shown interest in Shane Greene and Joe Jimenez of the Tigers and have also looked around for relievers in a potential return in a Zack Wheeler trade.
With buying, the Mets will also show they were serious when Brodie said, “Come Get Us” during Spring Training. Also, this would show the fans that they want to see the team win now and in the future.
Overall Opinion
In general, I feel the Mets should do a little of both. If I were in the Mets front office, I would try and use some of my assets to get some bullpen help and help fine-tune the roster to finish the season with some optimism and compete in 2020. Though I do feel the Mets can still make the playoffs this year, they are going to have to make some tough decisions come Deadline Day (specifically with Zack Wheeler). Building and tweaking around a staff of deGrom, Matz, and Syndergaard along with the young, offensive talent they have can make a great run both in 2019 and 2020.
Written By Zach Nau
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