The New York Mets are still very much in playoff contention, even though the team is just 15-19 in the standings. There are still 26 games to be played, and while the team has been hit hard by injuries, especially on the pitching side, there is still hope of making a run at the playoffs.
However, to reach that destination, the New York Mets need to make a move today. Starting pitching is an area of need, but not as much as getting relief help. The team’s best reliever, Seth Lugo, has been moved to the rotation, and that has left a huge hole in the back of the bullpen, which has been reflected in the results.
According to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, the Mets are working to improve several areas. New York, per Heyman, is “looking for a starter, a catcher, and pen help.”
Boston has been doing background work on Mets’ minor leaguers
Speaking of backstops, the Mets could deal some prospects to the Boston Red Sox, which are in the last place of the American East division, in exchange for Christian Vasquez. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic recently reported that the Sox have been “doing background” on some Mets minor leaguers.
Vazquez would be more than a rental, as he is under team control until the end of the 2022 season. He is due a manageable salary, too, at $6.25 million in 2021 and $7 million in 2022, the latter being a club option.
Per SNY, trading Vazquez would presumably take the Mets out of the running for pending free agent J.T. Realmuto, in the case that the Philadelphia Phillies fail to resign him before next season.
The Mets have surrendered several top prospects in the last two years as they have become buyers. Anthony Kay, Simeon Woods-Richardson, Justin Dunn and Jarred Kelenic has been flipped, but they still have some ammunition left to strike a deal should they decide to go that route.