3 Trades That Could Help Build the New York Mets' Future

If the New York Mets want to compete for a wild-card spot in 2014, they will need to make a trade, or two, prior to the upcoming MLB trade deadline. The big question that remains for the Mets is if they will be buyers or sellers in the coming weeks.

Arguments can be made for both sides, but in reality the smart decision would be for the Mets to be sellers. As hot as New York has been recently, it simply isn't going to contend this year, everybody knows that.

The Mets have recently shown they’re willing to move veteran players after or during a productive season and have proved to come out on top in most of those trades. Whether it was the R.A. Dickey trade that allowed New York to acquire Travis d’Arnaud and Noah Syndergaard, or the trade that sent John Buck and Marlon Byrd to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Vic Black and Dilson Herrera, the Mets clearly have been doing well selling high on some of their players.

As this season progresses, it would be foolish of the Mets to not explore deals in which they would move someone like Bartolo Colon or Bobby Abreu.

The Mets will likely look to make some moves soon and when they do, here are three trades they should consider.  

Bartolo Colon to the Cleveland Indians

Mets receive: Dorssys Paulino, Carlos Moncrief, Austin Adams

Indians receive: Bartolo Colon, Bobby Abreu

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

The Cleveland Indians are very alive in the race for the AL Central and for one of the two AL wild-card spots. Their biggest problem this season has been with their pitching, which ranks 24th in the major leagues in quality starts.

The starting pitching needs to be better and Bartolo Colon would be a guy who could help in that aspect. Colon has had a very nice season for the Mets and has proved he can still pitch at a very high level. If the Indians looked to acquire a veteran pitcher, Colon would be a perfect fit.

The Mets could also add in Bobby Abreu, who has had a productive season in a backup role for the Mets. The Indians could use Abreu in the outfield, as DH or just for pinch hitting. Abreu is a very professional hitter and is someone whom any team would like to have in their dugout.

In return the Mets could take back a few prospects in the Indians organization. Dorssys Paulino is a shortstop for the Indians Single-A team and is someone who could be available due to the promise of Francisco Lindor, another shortstop in Cleveland’s minor leagues. The Mets could also take Carlos Moncrief an outfielder with potential, and Austin Adams, a reliever who’s fastball can reach triple digits.

Daniel Murphy to the Oakland A’s

Mets receive: Daniel Robertson, Nolan Sanburn

A’s receive: Daniel Murphy

Jason DeCrow/Associated Press

Daniel Murphy should be the most sought after Mets player over the next couple weeks and understandably so. Murphy, the Mets' only All-Star, would be a really good fit in Oakland, a team that has been basically without a second baseman this season.

If Oakland is looking to upgrade the position, the Mets may be able to get two very good prospects in return. Daniel Robertson is a 20-year-old shortstop in the A’s organization who has a lot of future potential in the MLB. While Oakland is very high on him, it is looking to contend right now, and Murphy could be the final piece.

The only issue is the A’s did just move Addison Russell, which means they may be a little more hesitant to move another young shortstop. If the Mets do receive interest, Nolan Sanburn is a young hard-throwing reliever whom they should look to acquire to help solidify their bullpen in the future.

Bartolo Colon to the Milwaukee Brewers

Mets receive: Orlando Arcia

Brewers receive: Bartolo Colon

The Milwaukee Brewers have been leading the tough NL Central nearly all season, and the thing that could make them a favorite to remain on top is another proven starter. The Brewers have a very solid starting rotation, but the addition of someone like Bartolo Colon would be a huge boost for this team.

As for the Mets, getting a prospect like Orlando Arcia would be a great addition to the Mets farm system. The 19-year-old shortstop has a promising future and could be someone the Mets would be interested in to be their starting shortstop in a few years from now.

The Mets will likely make a trade and absolutely should make a deal. Moving Bartolo Colon is the smartest decision the team can make. Next season the Mets will have a logjam of pitchers looking to crack the five-man rotation, and Bartolo Colon should not be apart of those plans.

All statistics via baseball-reference.com.