Mets' Updated Trade Targets with 2022 MLB Deadline Approaching
The New York Mets were as busy as any team during the offseason, adding Max Scherzer, Starling Marte, Mark Canha and Chris Bassitt to a roster that was already loaded with quality talent.
Despite sitting atop the NL East standings with one of the best records in baseball, the Mets have a number of areas they could stand to upgrade at the Aug. 2 deadline.
The starting rotation has been stretched thin with Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Tylor Megill all on the injured list, and the designated hitter spot has been a bit of an offensive black hole with a .232/.311/.386 line and 27.8 percent strikeout rate.
Ahead, we've highlighted four players who could address those areas of need.
RHPs Luis Castillo & Frankie Montas
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Despite all the time Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer have missed, the Mets still rank 16th in the majors with a 4.11 ERA from the starting rotation.
Meanwhile, Carlos Carrasco has struggled to a 9.68 ERA in his last four starts, raising further questions about the long-term outlook of the starting staff.
Owner Steve Cohen has given every indication he's going to swing for the fences with this current roster, so expect the Mets to be heavily involved in the market for Luis Castillo and Frankie Montas.
A postseason rotation of deGrom, Scherzer, Chris Bassitt and one of those top trade targets would be lethal in October, and their remaining control through the 2023 season also holds additional appeal with Bassitt headed for free agency.
RHP Zach Davies
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Luis Castillo and Frankie Montas are the top-tier pitching options expected to be available this summer, but they're not the only potentially useful rotation additions.
If the Mets are unwilling to part with top prospects Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty and Alex Ramirez as expected, they might have to aim a bit lower, and veteran Zach Davies should be available for next to nothing.
The 29-year-old struggled to a 5.78 ERA in 148 innings with the Chicago Cubs last season, and he settled for a one-year, $1.75 million deal from the Arizona Diamondbacks in free agency.
Davies doesn't miss many bats, but he can chew through innings at a league-average rate, and there's plenty of value in that. He has a 3.94 ERA and 4.26 FIP in 80 innings on the year, and that includes a 2.56 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in five June starts.
1B/DH Josh Bell
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With J.D. Davis (171 PA, 96 OPS+, .243 BA, 2 HR, 30.4 K%) and Dominic Smith (110 PA, 64 OPS+, 0 HR, 24.5 K%) both underperforming and Robinson Cano cut loose, the Mets don't have a productive DH option right now.
Switch-hitter Josh Bell is batting .311/.392/.495 for a 157 OPS+ with 11 home runs and 46 RBI in the middle of the Washington Nationals lineup, and he's headed for free agency this coming offseason.
The Mets could slot the 29-year-old in the DH role and use him as protection for Pete Alonso in the middle of the lineup.
The rebuilding Nationals could actually have some interest in Smith, who is just two years removed from a 168 OPS+ and 13th-place finish in NL MVP voting.
The 27-year-old is controllable through the 2024 season and would be an immediate replacement for Bell at first base.
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and accurate through Tuesday's games.
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