Seven days before the 2023 MLB trade deadline, the New York Mets are seven games under .500 and seven games out of the wild card. There’s not a Lucky 7 in the bunch.
And those numbers just scratch the surface on what a complete disaster this season has been for the team with the largest payroll in MLB history.
So, you’d expect the Mets to make a big splash at the trade deadline, no? Either double down in buyer’s mode trying to land a significant piece or two to save a sinking season. Or cash in as major sellers, looking to add young talent for 2024 and beyond.
Not so fast. These are the Mets after all, so nothing is as easy or clear as it may seem.
It’s more likely the Mets stand pat at the deadline. Perhaps move a piece or two in or out. But not make any significant changes to the roster.
New York Mets have not met Steve Cohen’s criteria to be major buyers
One month ago, owner Steve Cohen said the Mets would not be buyers at the deadline if they continued to flounder in the standings. They’re 10-10 since.
“I’m preparing my management team for all possibilities,” Cohen said on June 27. “If they don’t get better, we have decisions to make at the trade deadline. That’s not my preferred end result. We’re preparing all contingencies.”
The Mets did play a bit better early in July but lost three of their past four games to the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox, not exactly elite opponents. Worse, they continue to play uninspired, passionless baseball. And they remain woefully lacking in every facet of the game.
Simply, they’re not a good team and haven’t given Cohen any reason to sign off on a big-time addition or two.
Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer won’t be traded
So, if the Mets are sellers rather than buyers, why not think big and try to move one or both of their future Hall of Fame starting pitchers?
Again, not so fast.
It’s hard to imagine Justin Verlander or Max Scherzer being traded. Neither has been an ace this season much less shown the Cy Young-winning form Verlander had a season ago in Houston. Each has looked his age (Verlander is 40, Scherzer 39 in two days), with far more vulnerable moments than flashes of past brilliance.
Verlander (4-5, 3.47 ERA, 1.157 WHIP, 10.5 K/9 in 14 starts) has been better than Scherzer (8-4, 4.20 ERA, 1.192 WHIP, 22 home runs allowed in 18 starts), especially lately. But he has a no-trade clause and two years remaining on a contract that pays him $43.3 million annually.
Scherzer, who allowed four home runs in an ugly loss to the Red Sox on Saturday, also has a no-trade clause to go along with a player option at $43.3 million next season.
The Mets would have to eat a ton of money to facilitate a trade for either pitcher. And how much could they realistically get in return for Verlander or Scherzer?
Even if they could swing a deal for either pitcher, what’s the rotation plan moving forward? Unless they get a solid major league starter in return, it’s right back to free agency this winter to find replacements since the cupboard remains bare in the Mets system.
Tylor Megill anyone?
Didn’t think so.
Trading other players won’t bring big returns
New York’s most appealing player to move at the deadline is reliever David Robertson. He’s a veteran who’s won a World Series ring and can set up or close.
Though Robertson has been very good for the Mets this season (14 saves, 2.08 ERA, 1.015 WHIP, 10.0 K/9), he’s not going to fetch a big return.
He’s 38 years old and a free agent at the end of the season. He’d help a contender; but the Mets aren’t going to land a top prospect if they deal him.
And if they’re not going to get a good future piece or competent major leaguer in return, why trade Robertson at all? Just imagine what the Mets bullpen will look like without him.
They’d get even less in return for lefty reliever Brooks Raley or righty Adam Ottavino (who has a player option for 2024). So, if the Mets trade any of their veteran relievers, it’s likely going to be a smaller deal.
The same holds true for position players Tommy Pham, Mark Canha and Omar Narvaez.
Each of those three are serviceable pieces on a contending team. The Mets will likely trade one or all three. And then hope they catch lightning in a bottle with a lower-level prospect or two in return.
Pete Alonso? Jeff McNeil? Starling Marte? Trading one of those players would constitute a big deal. But that’s not happening. Alonso and McNeil are part of New York’s core moving forward, despite each having a stunning decline in 2023. Marte is older, expensive, underperforming and still battling his way back from core muscle surgery.
Simply, there’s no blockbuster on the horizon for the Mets and minimal interest in the players they could trade away.
They’re stuck in neutral and going nowhere at the 2023 MLB trade deadline.