The New York Mets are in a spot nobody expected them to be in just a few months ago.
After a disastrous start, the blue and orange have gone on a hot streak and are sitting at 53-48, in the second wild-card spot and just 1.5 games back of the Atlanta Braves, who are coming to town this weekend for a four-game set.
Despite the chance to firmly be in the top wild-card spot by the end of the weekend, the Mets trade deadline plans haven’t drastically changed.
The Mets are just targeting bullpen help
After reports indicated that the Mets could exercise a unique buying/selling strategy where the blue and orange sold some of their excess starting pitching on expiring deals, feeling they had serviceable replacements waiting in the wings and buying some relief help. Well, plans have changed.
According to a report by Andy Martino of SNY, following the injury to Christian Scott, the Mets are highly likely to keep all their starting pitching as they would have to acquire another one to be comfortable with their depth. Instead, the blue and orange will try to acquire a relief pitcher or two on deadline day without giving up significant prospects.
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What does this mean for the Mets?
Based on the report by Martino, the Mets will not be in the running for any of the big fish at the deadline, even if they were in areas of need like Jazz Chisholm Jr to provide some outfield help or Mason Miller to get another elite reliever.
It also indicates that some of the top rental options that could have been viewed as valuable trade chips at one point will not be going anywhere. Therefore, the likes of Pete Alonso, J.D. Martinez, and Luis Severino will all be in Flushing at the end of the season.
Of course, plans could ultimately change, but all things indicate that unlike in 2015, when the Mets were in a similar place and made the trade for Yonesis Cespedes that ultimately ignited a run to the World Series, the blue and orange will remain pat other than acquiring a reliever or two to buff up the bullpen.
