The Mets may end up sellers at the trade deadline. Here are three players they should deal and two players they should avoid trading.
Before the 2023 season, the New York Mets were looked at as World Series contenders. They featured a pitching staff anchored by two legends and a lineup with veterans up and down the lineup. They had lost their ace Jacob deGrom in the offseason but filled his role with Justin Verlander.
But reality has been far from that preseason dream. The Mets have faced injuries mixed with monumental collapses among the entire roster. As a club, they have struggled to find their footing in June. This slide in June has seen them drop to over 15 games behind the Braves for first place in the NL East. In turn, this has turned the Mets into potential sellers at the trade deadline.
Mets rumors: Tommy Pham could be dealt before the deadline
If the Mets elect to reset and retool their MLB roster this year, Tommy Pham will have no place in the future of their plans. Pham clocks in at 35 years old on the wrong side of his prime years of baseball. But, despite being past his prime, Pham has been better this year than he has been in nearly five or six years. This resurgence could cause Pham to gain some attention at the deadline, resulting in the Mets being able to load their farm system with another few quality prospects.
Pham has played just 58 games in the Big Apple, but he has already raised his trade stock by a tremendous amount. Like previously stated, Pham doesn't have much of a future, if any in New York. His contract ends at the end of the year, and he would likely be a rental for a contending team.
Pham would provide a quality outfield bat, at least off the bench, for a team shallow with outfielders. The Mets have no use for Pham during a season in which they aren't going to win anything. With him likely gone after this year, the Mets would be better off to get a return for him while they can.
Mets rumors: The Mets need to avoid trading Justin Verlander at the deadline
While the Mets may need to retool or rebuild, they cannot press the panic button. Actually, the worst case for the Mets is if they press the panic button and destroy their entire team, they could delay their chase for a World Series a ton. But the Mets front office likely won't press that panic button.
The main identifier on this idea of a panic button is if they trade their ace, Justin Verlander. Verlander hasn't been incredible this year, but the last two full seasons that he was healthy in, he won the AL Cy Young with the Astros. This is the level that Verlander can still pitch at, despite his age. He has the undeniable ability to lead a team to the World Series, as he has proven he can do this as recently as last year.
Verlander will likely stay a Met for the 2023 season and beyond and for good reason. He will be a huge part of their retooling for next season, if they are able to execute it well to flip their team around in a single calendar year. Signed to a two-year contract, Verlander will likely remain a Met through the 2024 season at least.
Mets rumors: Max Scherzer could be an ideal trade chip for the Mets at the deadline
Within a few days of the rumor that Max Scherzer would waive his no trade clause to be dealt, trade rumors have erupted around the former Cy Young winner. And rightfully so. A Scherzer trade would instantly turn any contender into a postseason favorite, as he would add an ace with a proven ability to win to their starting rotation. A Scherzer trade would also make sense for the Mets, as he could be their most valuable trade piece that they're willing to part with.
A Max Scherzer trade would likely net the Mets one or two of the opposing teams top 5-7 prospects. The return may even feature a major league ready starter that has a bit of experience in the big leagues. This kind of return for an older starting pitcher may be way too much for the Mets to refuse.
This isn't a trade that many Mets fans would want to see, as Scherzer is such a high-quality arm that has proven time and time again to be a winner on the biggest level of baseball. The Dodgers could make a move to reunite with Scherzer, or a team like the Blue Jays or Astros could pay a hefty price for the ace.
Mets rumors: The Mets should avoid trading Starling Marte at the deadline
Many Mets fans have been calling for the trade of Starling Marte. Understandably so, because the outfielder has struggled this year. Marte is slashing just an average .257/.311/.336 while being worth negative WAR on the season. With Marte being signed to a 4-year, $78 million dollar contract, many fans see this as a huge overpay for a struggling veteran. But that is exactly where the issue is.
New York likely wouldn't be able to deal Marte without eating some of his contract. This high salary also drops his value quite a bit, making the prospect return not as good as it should be for such a talented major league veteran. Don't forget, Marte was an All-Star just last year, where he even received a19th place NL MVP finish.
New York need to hold on to Marte for a few reasons — one being that he won't net as much value as the Mets would want. Another is that he is still a quality big leaguer who could continue to contribute to the team until his contract is up.
Mets rumors: Brooks Raley could be dealt before the deadline
Brooks Raley is likely to be offered for by a multitude of teams. He has a ton of characteristics that would cause opposing General Managers to drool. Raley is a productive lefty reliever with two years of team control and a little bit of MLB experience. Raley has also improved tremendously over the last year, making him even more valuable to an acquiring team because of the potential to continue improving.
Every contending team in the MLB is looking to improve their bullpen before October. Not only that, but these teams are specifically looking for left-handed relievers. Some of the best hitters in the MLB are lefties, making a lefty reliever that much more valuable in a playoff push. The interest by other teams to acquire Raley is definitely going to be there for other teams, but should the Mets trade him?
The short answer is yes. The longer answer is Raley is more valuable now than he will ever be and the Mets need to reset and quickly kickstart a retooling of their MLB roster and top end prospects. Raley would likely net a prospect or two from a team like the Dodgers, which could end up being one of the Mets top 15 prospects.
