With the trade deadline quickly approaching and the New York Mets still in the race for both the Wild Card and NL East Division lead, the Mets may be looking to pick up a bat with the offense mightily struggling this season.
The Mets who have an abundance of pitching may look to unload some gain a hitter and attempt to gain a playoff spot. The Mets don’t want to trade away their ace pitchers such as Matz, deGrom, etc, but there are some players they can acquire without giving up a whole lot.
Ben Zobrist- Utility Player
Zobrist has had an average year with a .261 average, 5 home runs and 31 RBI in 184 at-bats for the Oakland A’s. Since he does play for Oakland he’ll most likely be traded since they love to deal players near the deadline. He wouldn’t cost too much, maybe a Gabriel Ynoa quality player. However, there are several teams interested in him, which bumps up his value. He does play second base and shortstop, and he would be at least a defensive upgrade over both Tejada and Flores, and an offensive upgrade over Tejada. In my opinion he isn’t a huge upgrade, unless you’re only focusing on defense.
Justin Upton- Left Field
The Padres acquired Upton right before the start of the season in hopes that they can make a playoff run in San Diego. Well, it doesn’t look like that will happen. The Padres are 39-47 and it looks like they are out of it. So, they may be looking to trade their left fielder Justin Upton at the trade deadline. In the 2015 season Upton has a .259 BA, 14 HR and 46 RBI in 309 at-bats. He would certainly be an upgrade in left field over the struggling Michael Cuddyer. Upton would most likely be on the Mets only for 2015 if they acquired him. This is because he’s in the last year of his contract, and most likely he won’t be resigned. He would take a higher level prospect to acquire, but it’d be a win now move for the Mets, adding a power hitter to the lineup.
Yoenis Cespedes- Left Field
The Tigers left fielder could possibly be traded at the deadline, most likely for pitching. The Tigers are still in competition for a playoff spot, so they may be reluctant to trade him. Cespedes does have 12 HR and 46 RBI, he would be an upgrade in left field, but it could take a good player to get him such as Niese or Fulmer. Personally, I would go after him, he can hit for power and has a great arm in the outfield.
Aramis Ramirez- Third Base
Ramirez is an unlikely acquisition, as the Mets are most likely staying with Daniel Murphy at third base, but he Murphy could switch back to second base if the Mets trade for him. In 250 ABs Ramirez is batting .236 with 10 HR and 39 RBI, the average is very concerning as the Mets also need someone who can consistently get hits. I wouldn’t go after Ramirez with average, but if the Mets decide to go after him it wouldn’t take much to get him with the Brewers not in contention for a playoff spot and Ramirez possibly retiring after this season. However, he would be a great bench player who can start 2-3 times a week.
Adam Lind- First Base
Yes, I know this won’t happen but it does make a lot of sense. Lind has been great for a bad Brewers team this year, with a .296 average, 15 HR and 52 RBI in 280 ABs, it’s debatable he’s been the Brewers best player this year. It would take a good prospect to get him though, such as Nimmo or Fulmer in AA. The only thing blocking this trade is Lucas Duda, who has been awful recently. Duda has had one, just ONE home run since June 1, for a power hitter that is atrocious. He’s confused at the plate and he has seen his average go down to .242. However, the Mets intend to stay with Duda, so a deal where Lind goes to the Mets seems unlikely.
Who should they go after?
These are just a few acquirable players, but their are more. In my opinion out of these players I would love to see the Mets go after Cespedes, as he is a good hitter and great defender. I’d also go after Ben Zobrist for defensive reasons, he can help fix a portion of what is one of the worst defensive infields in baseball right now.
