MMO Roundtable: What Would Be An Ideal Trade Deadline For Stearns And The Mets?

We are approaching the trade deadline. Can you even believe it?! Last month we gave some thoughts about how David Stearns should approach the trade deadline, and now that we’re getting closer – and things have changed a tad – we’re digging a bit deeper. Here’s what we think would be an ideal trade deadline for the Mets.

David Melendi

A lefty reliever or two. And an outfielder. Tanner Scott from Miami and Randy Arozarena might be available. Six weeks ago I thought a run at the playoffs was a long shot at best, but OMG was I wrong. I’d love to see what this team can do in October.

James Villani

The Mets are in an interesting spot. Becoming a playoff team and being a legit wild card contender would be considered ahead of schedule for the organization. Sometimes buying too early and too much can hurt or stunt a team’s “rebuild.” With all that being said, when David Stearns does likely choose to be a buyer, he should be relatively cautious and certainly think about the team’s future in his dealings.

The specific position group he should target is certainly the bullpen. Namely, controllable arms that will help the team as they continue on their upward trajectory. Though Jake Diekman has done his job against left-handers (.578 OPS), the performance against righties has been too costly; a lefty who does not have such dramatic splits would probably be wise.

Given the overall struggles of Jose Quintana (5.18 xERA) and Tylor Megill (4.45 xERA), as well as the likely-to-regress David Peterson (5.36 xERA), addressing the rotation would probably be smart. However, with the depth (José Buttó and Christian Scott) and the imminent return of Kodai Senga, as well as the idea of not wanting to over-buy, that might not be realistic.

Another bat, with the injury of Starling Marte (who was having a bounce-back year) and the regression of DJ Stewart closer to his career averages. Major-league-level outfield depth would probably be wise and can potentially be had for a practicable price. Luckily for the Mets, their offense has been one of the best in baseball (4th in wRC+ and 3rd in xwOBA); so any additions do not have to be major.

Christian De Block

The Mets need two, maybe three relievers, one of which has to be a lefty. To me, that is a non-negotiable. Offensively, Stearns should take a hard look at adding to their pool of outfielders. Brandon Nimmo and Harrison Bader have been fantastic, but for most of this season, right field has been a point of weakness. Starling Marte’s timetable for a return is unknown and DJ Stewart has performed well below the level he showed in 2023. Adding an outfielder, preferably one that is left-handed, would be ideal.

Matt Lazzaro

The bullpen is by far the biggest need, but more importantly a reliable left-handed reliever. Jake Diekman simply cannot be your go-to lefty out of the pen late in games and has cost games for the team up to this point in the season. Adding one lefty and one righty to the pen is ideal, if not more.

A left-handed bench bat that can platoon in the outfield to replace DJ Stewart’s roster spot would be helpful. I wouldn’t rule out a left-handed hitting infielder for the right deal either. With McNeil currently struggling, and if he happens to turn things around he can then help out in the corner outfield spots to give some roster flexibility.

Mathias Altman-Kurosaki

Shoring up the bullpen needs to be David Stearns’ top priority. It’s a miracle the Mets are in a playoff spot with how badly the bullpen has struggled. Getting a southpaw is a must, with Brooks Raley out for the year and Jake Diekman underperforming. The team also needs a corner outfielder, especially with Starling Marte seemingly out for most of the summer. DJ Stewart has just three extra-base hits since May 1, and while Tyrone Taylor has played better lately, he has a .512 OPS against lefties. The Mets shouldn’t necessarily mortgage their future for a Wild Card spot, but there are moves that can be made to help them make some noise in the second half.

Johnluke Chaparro

As many of my fellow colleagues have stated: bullpen bullpen bullpen! Another bat might be able to help bolster the offense but the main cause is the pitching. Pennant teams always have a strong pen or shore up their reinforcements at the deadline. Reed Garrett and Dedinel Nunez can only be used so much at this point. Another arm or two can go a long ways in making this team stronger.

Chris Bello

I truly believe the Mets should be all in this year. The National League is weak this season outside the Phillies, and the American League’s top teams this year — the Yankees and Orioles — have shown flaws this season. Again, after the Phillies, there’s no clear dominant team.

If the Mets decide to push for an NL Pennant this season, they need two relievers and a front-line starter. Tanner Scott of the Marlins and Michael Kopech of the White Sox would be my ideal adds to the pen. If those aren’t possibilities then I’d shift attention to Brent Suter of the Reds and Lucas Erceg of the Athletics.

For the rotation, I’d inquire about Garrett Crochet. Realistically the Mets would fall short of a deal for the lefty, but he would give the Mets a true No. 1 for the playoffs. A deal I believe is less in question is a package for Nathan Eovaldi and David Robertson. The only roadblock in that potential deal is the Rangers’ direction at the trade deadline.

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