As we are nearly 24 hours away from the MLB trade deadline, one major piece is now off the market. One of the top bats the New York Mets could have added, first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter Trey Mancini was just traded to the Houston Astros.
To this point in the year with the Baltimore Orioles, Mancini is batting .268 with 10 home runs, 41 runs batted in, and an OPS of .751. The Orioles are reportedly getting multiple players in return, per Dan Connolly, Orioles writer for The Athletic.
Now, the main focus for the Mets turns to Willson Contreras, J.D. Martinez, and Christian Vazquez, with an outside chance of Josh Bell. The latest reports indicate that the Mets are in on both Martinez and Vazquez of the Red Sox. That being said, nothing at this point in time seems very likely. The reports on Martinez and Bell are that the asking price is too steep for the Mets’ interest.
Mets are in on JD Martinez and Christian Vazquez, but nothing is imminent, as @martinonyc said
Andrew Chafin would be a lefty reliever of interest should CHC deal for Contreras and Robertson not happen
I don’t think Padres’ Hader deal takes them out on Contreras
— Pat Ragazzo (@ragazzoreport) August 1, 2022
For the Mets to bolster their World Series chances, adding one of these bats is key. Hopefully, the asking price from either the Red Sox, Cubs, or the Nationals comes down for the Mets to have an opportunity to add to their lineup. If the price stays as is, the Mets may not come away with a bat.
For a likely rental, it is not ideal for the Mets to trade any of their top prospects. And as reported by Andy Martino of SNY, the Mets have no interest in moving Mark Vientos or Francisco Alvarez for a player set to be a free agent at the end of the 2022 season.
It will be interesting to see what happens, hopefully, the Mets can add a difference-maker hitter.