The New York Mets are very much open for business before the 6 PM ET MLB trade deadline and it seems like very few players will be off limits in discussions.
Over the last few days, the New York Mets have dispelled any and all doubts about being sellers at the trade deadline. With the team several games under .500 and six out of the final Wild Card spot in the National League, the organization has tossed up the white sale flag and has punted their title hopes to next season.
Thus far they have already traded closer David Robertson, outfielder Mark Canha, and most notably, ace pitcher Max Scherzer. However, there are no indications that is where things will end for the organization. On Monday night, SNY MLB insider Andy Martino spoke on the Mets’ plans heading into today’s trade deadline and it seems that “anything” is possible and very few players are off limits in conversations.
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“Anything and everything [is] on the table, almost,” Martino says. “Obviously, Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo are under contract long-term, so they’re not going anywhere. It’s really wide open for teams to call the Mets with ideas. More specifically, and certainly expect Tommy Pham to be moved. The Mets are deep in talks about Tommy Pham already.
“There is a ton of interest league-wide about [releiver] Brooks Raley,” he added. “And you just go around the roster, any guys who could be free agents this year or even after next like Raley, or Jose Quintana could move. A lot of things are on the table and Billy Eppler and his people are very busy in talks with other clubs.”
Four major players the New York Mets could move at the MLB trade deadline
As Martino mentioned, Lindor and Nimmo are not expected to be in conversations due to the sizable over-priced contracts they have. Furthermore, a recent report claimed All-Star Pete Alonso is off limits, and of course, rising-star prospect Francisco Alvarez is seen as a building block for years to come. Not to mention pitcher Kodai Senga is going nowhere after a strong debut season in MLB.
However, beyond lesser names like Pham or Raley, it isn’t impossible that the New York Mets could consider moving some of their other top players. One, in particular, could be second-baseman Jeff McNeil. The 2022 batting champion is having a down year, but with his contract being at a solid rate there are contending teams that could see a major upside in the firey two-time All-Star since he is able to play multiple positions.
Plus, his existence continues to block top prospect Ronny Mauricio from landing an optimal position when he is eventually promoted to the big league roster.
Of course, ace Justin Verlander is on the block and the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros are seen as the top contenders for last season’s AL Cy Young award winner. As the SNY insider also suggested, middle-of-the-rotation veteran Jose Quintana would be a value add for many teams heading down the stretch and could use a proven veteran with an All-Star game on his resume to bolster their staff.
Lastly, two-time All-Star Starling Marte is having a down year as well, however, he is still a player that can make an impact in multiple ways for a playoff contender during the final months of the season. His age and the $38 million left on his deal could be problematic for some, but there are other big market clubs — maybe the Yankees — that might consider such a deal.