Bolstering the starting rotation is the “top priority” for the Mets in advance of the July 30 trade deadline, acting general manager Zack Scott told Jon Heyman and Cody Decker on today’s Big Time Baseball podcast. Scott also suggested the Mets — like almost all contenders — will be on the lookout for bullpen help over the next week and a half.
New York’s rotation has been one of the league’s better units, but that’s largely thanks to the top three of Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman and Taijuan Walker. Bolstering the back end was likely a priority even before deGrom landed on the injured list with forearm tightness over the weekend. Scott noted there’s no structural damage and the team is optimistic about deGrom’s prognosis, but the star hurler’s timetable remains uncertain so long as he continues to feel discomfort.
Fourth starter David Peterson is also on the IL, as are depth options Joey Lucchesi and Jordan Yamamoto. Carlos Carrasco hasn’t pitched all season on account of various injuries. Carrasco is currently on a rehab assignment and nearing his team debut, but it might be difficult to count on him to shoulder too significant a workload down the stretch given his recent series of health problems.
Those injuries have led the Mets to turn to Tylor Megill (who’s performed well over his first five starts) and a revolving door of depth players at the back of the rotation. Adding a steadying, innings-eating presence to that group makes plenty of sense for president Sandy Alderson, Scott, and the rest of the front office.
Unsurprisingly, Scott didn’t tip his hand as to which specific targets the Mets were interested in acquiring. Merrill Kelly (Diamondbacks), Michael Pineda (Twins), Jon Gray (Rockies) and Tyler Anderson (Pirates) are among the mid-tier starting pitchers who could be on the move before the deadline. The Mets sent scouts to see Kelly’s last start before the All-Star Break, writes Andy Martino of SNY, although it’s not clear whether that was anything more than standard diligence. (The Mets have been linked to Kelly’s teammate Asdrúbal Cabrera, and it’s certainly possible New York has interest in other veteran players on the Arizona roster). A non-Mets source tells Martino the D-Backs’ current asking price on Kelly is “high.”
As for the bullpen, it seems New York’s open to acquiring help in any possible form. Scott pushed back against the idea the team needed a pitcher with closing experience. Edwin Díaz has struggled recently, but Scott pointed to Díaz’s track record in expressing confidence in his ability to bounce back. Díaz’s peripherals are more impressive than his 4.30 ERA, so it’s hardly unreasonable to maintain faith in the righty’s ability to hold down leads moving forward.
Scott didn’t rule out the possibility of making an addition on the position player side, but it seems pitching’s at the forefront of attention. The acting GM pointed to the returns of a few key position players from the IL and expressed comfort with the general state of the offense. New York has been linked to Kris Bryant and Josh Donaldson in recent weeks, but the Mets did welcome back third baseman J.D. Davis from the injured list over the weekend.
At the same time, the Mets lost star shortstop Francisco Lindor to the IL and they’ve been leaning on Luis Guillorme at the position. Asked whether the club could explore a shortstop upgrade, Scott said that course of action was possible but would require any incoming player to be willing to move elsewhere around the diamond once Lindor returns. As for when that might happen, Scott noted that injuries similar to Lindor’s typically come with a four-to-six week timetable. If Lindor follows that schedule, he’d be looking at a late August return date.
The Mets lost tonight’s contest against the Reds, dropping them to 49-43. They hold a two-game lead over the Phillies in an increasingly jam-packed NL East.
Oldschoolandthemets1980
Still need 1 bat ,preferably for the infield.
Cosmo2
To replace who? Unless it’s a SS to fill in for Lindor, if Lindor is out a long time. Alonso, McNeil, Davis are all good hitters.
KPHED 2
the notion is davis, who is a pretty brutal fielder.
Cosmo2
Sure, but my response was to the post mentioning a need for a “bat”. Yes, Bryant would be a huge upgrade defensively but you wanna give up Davis and prospects for one half year of such improvement? Seems short sighted to say the least. What available, under control infielder could they target? They need pitching. IF is fine.
thecoffinnail
The Mets line up as a trade partner with the Cubs very well. Javier Baez would be the perfect replacement for Lindor. Plus, he is comfortable playing other position. Think of the fantastic fielding of a Lindor/Baez combo working up the middle. Plus Chafin and Tepera are having good years and either would improve the Mets bullpen. If the Mets wanted to continue their splashy ways they could always trade for Kimbrel as well.
@DaOldDerbyBastard
They don’t have enough prospects to get Baez and Kimbrel. They’d have to completely wipe out their prospects. I think it’s one or the other.
Cosmo2
Let’s not give up chunks of the future for a slight upgrade for half a season. Need to be much smarter than that. I don’t see Baez as a fit unless the Cubs give him up for next to nothing.
RaeRae
Trade with the Orioles for LSP Paul Fry, and IFer Freddy Galvis. Freddy provides the Mets with overall SS and IF depth for Guillorme, Davis and Villar especially with Perazza out with a broken finger. Fry is not the best pitcher but the Mets cannot salvage the farm system for a year where Jacob deGrom might not come back as soon as we’d like him to. Sign Cole Hamels too as this gives the Mets two lefty starters plus Walker, Megill and Stroman. If the Mets are lucky they might get deGrom back so Hamels and Fry could take turns as the 5th starter or work to of the pen. Galvis is a switch hitter who plays every position other than catcher and 1B. He has speed, and can catch and throw the ball. He will not cost the Mets a fortune in prospects and since he and Fry are both on the Orioles they might be able to get both guys for Mangum, Carpio, and Dibrell.
Cosmo2
Not a bad idea but Fry is not a starter.
syndergaardshair
They need pitching like now, it’s getting bad
Oldschoolandthemets1980
Absolutely with the arms, but a at or two as well, this offense has too many swings and misses and too inconsistent. Wade miley made them look very weak.
findingnimmo
That’s what baseball is now. The offense is fine. They need pitching. They are all trying to do too much to support the pitching. Even walker and stro are likely feeling the pressure to have to go deep into games to preserve the bullpen arms that have been destroyed with the low end pitchers the Mets have had to put out there because of all the injuries.
Samuel
@ syndergaardshair;
Poor defense always makes a teams pitching appear worse than it is.
yewed
Not always. This year the Red Sox defensive FP is at or near the bottom. Not too long ago their starters numbers were in the top 5. Now closer to the bottom of the pack. The defensive numbers haven’t gotten any better or worse. The starters have given up more runs and that has nothing to do with the defense.
A good defense can sometimes make a teams pitching appear better than it is.
Samuel
Defensive statistics are a joke.
They were bad for years. Then slowly all teams went to shifts more and more often. Now those stats are literally worthless.
thecoffinnail
The Red Sox defense going downhill can easily be attributed to losing 2 of the best defensive OF’s in the game. JBJ especially provided most of his value with his slick fielding. Betts has won the gold glove 4-5 years straight. Defensively whomever they replaced them with was going to be a big step down. A good defense definitely will make a pitcher look better than he is. That is why the baseball world started looking at FIP as a better stat to judge starters than ERA. A good defense and solid starting pitching that can hold a team to 3 runs or less takes a lot of the pressure off the offense to produce.
Samuel
From the Red Sox games I’ve watched Enrique Hernandez has done a great job in CF, and Renfroe has been adequate in RF – although playing RF in Fenway is one of the most difficult OF positions to play in MLB.
Haven’t seen enough of Duran in CF to get a read on him.
If the Sox D has gone “downhill”, it’s hardly that of the Mets, Yankees, or a dozen other teams.
JayKay
Off topic, but any upcoming plans for a story covering the Oakland A’s stadium situation and the city’s council voting to agree on terms that fall below what the team is asking?
jyosuckas
There was one within the last week
LetGoOfMyLeg
The vote was yesterday fyi
MetsFan22
Bro NL east team just lucky the Mets have dealt with what they have dealt with.
Samuel
Oh, Geeze……
Want me to list the injuries the Phillies, Braves, Nationals, and Marlins have had?
The Mets aren’t martyr’s. Met fans like you are excuse makers.
VonPurpleHayes
He’s not worth answering anymore. Not acknowledging the Braves injuries is pure insanity, and he’s already got the excuses lined up in case the Mets lose the division.
Samuel
All NYC fans do that every year. You’ve been around long enough.
MetsFan22
For you to think the Braves have had as much injury that affects them as much as the Mets is also pure insanity. The Mets would get an excuse. If you can’t put 2+2 together it’s not my fault…
nvmets
MetsFan22’s act is old, but it’s still true that the Mets have been hit harder than most other teams this season. These things are tracked and with 28 players spending 1224 days on the IL, they’re 4th in baseball. The Marlins are 14th (859 days), the Braves 18th (795), the Phillies 21st (721), and the Nats 23rd (686). But you can certainly argue the Braves have the single highest impact injury now with Acuna.
You can’t complain about any of it though. Injuries are a part of the game and a team’s ability to avoid/overcome them plays a big role in making the postseason. Nobody is going to get credit for missing out because of injuries.
Thomas Walker
The best way to neutralize this clown is ignore his comments. He literally post stuff for reactions. He’s a child that figures any attention, is good attention. Ignore his posts. Don’t mention him. Or mute him. Either way, he’s definitely the biggest turd on these boards, so he deserves no response from anyone.
VonPurpleHayes
@nvmets While the Mets have the 4th most injuries, I’d argue the Braves injuries are more significant. 2 Silver Sluggers out for the entire season. An ace out for the season. And of course the Ozuna fiasco. The Mets backups have contributed big time, while the Braves are still struggling to find a catcher.
Your latter point is key though. Injuries are part of the game.
DanzigInTheDark
Mets have had 1 of their 5 projected SPs take every turn through (Stroman) – deGrom and Walker both spent time on the IL, Thor/Carrasco haven’t thrown a pitch, Lucchesi is done for the year, and Peterson is hurt now too. Their starting CF missed nearly 60 games, their 3B about 70.
Acuna definitely a larger loss than what the Mets have had, true – but he was healthy for the entire first half when the Mets were rolling guys like Johneshwy Fargas and Trevor Hildenberger, and the Braves still couldn’t catch the Mets.
The NL East has definitely had enough injuries to build a new wing on the Mayo Clinic, though, and it’s gonna be interesting to see who survives to win the division.
MetsFan22
Thank you so much for explaining it to him. Hopefully he gets it. The Braves should have been 10 games up with what the Mets dealt with and they where still 5 games out while acuna was playing for them.
@DaOldDerbyBastard
Please stop embarrassing other Mets fans. Please.
Cosmo2
One could easily say that it’s the Mets who have been lucky. Without injuries and underperformance from the other teams in the division the Mets are also-rans right now.
jim stem
Rather than calling the Mets luckily, how about giving some credit to effort of the ‘Bench Mob’ for how they have carried the team?
Then let’s give the front office credit for having those veteran types here who CAN start for 2-4 weeks and produce.
The benefit from this first half is that the bench is going to be one of the best in the second half, giving the Mets great late inning match ups and double switches for defense.
VonPurpleHayes
Exactly right. Clutch bench outperformed a lot of the stars in the first half. Amazing deoth on this team.
Cosmo2
Front office did a great job acquiring quality depth, for sure.
metsfan104
Yes, I agree with you. The EAST has been decimated with injuries, but if other teams dealt with the same type of injuries, why aren’t they in first place?
VonPurpleHayes
@metsfan104 because the Mets are still a good team. No one is denying that. Also, the Mets tough part of their schedule is coming up right now. Other teams have already played the difficult portion. So now is the real test.
I don’t think the Mets were ever a top tier team this year. Injuries of course played into that, but they’ve never won more than 5 or 6 in a row even when healthy. (MetsFan22 is going to point out the Carrasco and Syndergaard were hurt so they were never healthy, but come on…we knew that going into the season). Their run differential was never huge. They’ve been playing slightly above .500 ball all year. Now other teams like the Phillies are finally getting healthy and the gap is closing. I still think the Mets can win. They have some great depth on this team. It’s going to come down to trade deadline moves. The division is pretty weak.
If you want to say the Mets team are the best team on paper without injuries (as if any team plays 162 without injuries) go right ahead. Have at it. I’m not arguing that at all. They’re definitely the best team in a weak division right now. At least for the next week or so.
MetsFan22
The only reason the Phillies have a shot is bc of our injuries. I I only knew syndergard was going t be hurt not cookie.. when the Braves phillies or Nats have to put 32 players on the IL. Than I’ll chance my stance…
VonPurpleHayes
You may as well get the excuses for next year ready.
MetsFan22
Phillies fans are using part of their toster( bullpen as an exuse…) do they not understand that the roster they built?? Anyways Mets actual had to play with their AAA team and still lead the division. Shows you how much better they really are.
dugmet
Sure. But you cannot deny injuries to Mets’ SP are redonkulous.
RaeRae
Get off the NY Mets site if you are so enamored by the Nats, Phillies, Marlins and Braves. DF.
stubby66
How Anderson, Bettinger, H
stubby66
How about Anderson, Bettinger, JBJ, Henry, and Yardley for Smith and low end lottery ticket prospect
metzfan
Dear God…
vtadave
Those guys stink.
Samuel
Not surprisingly, just about every contending team is looking for starting pitching.
Most teams have 5 person rotations, and not a one has 5 decent starters……..before injuries.
So where do these starting pitchers come from? Rest assured, the cost to acquire one is going to be high. So forget proposing a crummy backup position player, an inconsistent bullpen set-up guy, and a prospect sent back to AAA after getting his hat handed to him in the bigs.
My guess is that the smart FO’s will bolster their bullpens; have a lot of bullpen games often using pitchers from the high minors to come in and pitch 1-3 innings. Oftentimes youngsters can work once through a line-up if the opposition hasn’t faced them before.
jim stem
The closer it gets to July 31, the lower the asking price gets for these final contract year pitchers. Mets need at least one SP. If they get 2, one of Peterson, Carrasco, Syndergaard can be stashed in the bullpen or even skip a start once through the rotation. I like the skip one start option because it basically gives a pitcher 9 days off, but he’s still on the squad if needed.
yewed
An MLB GM states starting pitching is “top priority””. Stop the presses for this breaking news…
Samuel
You know what else contenders need?……..
Bullpen depth
Defense
Hitting
If there’s anything out there resembling a complete team – please give us the name……and that too is before injuries…….yet the Commissioner wants more expansion. LOL.
yewed
Same thing every year. There was a time I thought Houston was the most “complete” team that I’ve seen this year. Then another losing streak and of course injuries for everybody. From what I’ve seen this year there are good teams and there are some better teams. No best teams in the equation.
Colt 45
“If there’s anything out there resembling a complete team”
I nominate the Astros – yeah, bullpen is problematic a bit, but
1. Starters capable of going deep
2. They major in defense as a priority
3. 2021, lead MLB in BA, runs, fewest batter k’s, OBP, 4th is slg, 2nd in OPS, and not leading in the last 2 is because of slump over last 2 weeks of games, 6th in Starter ERA, 2nd in Starter IP, and second in run differential overall, which they have owned all season, up until a few days ago – Dodgers beating somebody by 20 runs the other day, while we putted around with minimal offense did that.
4. 2020 all MLB, not good for statistical comparisons for obvious reasons, but, again, fewest batter k’s – otherwise, mid-tier at best in all other categories
5. 2019 all MLB, 3rd in runs scored, first in batter walks, as usual fewest batter k’s, highest BA, OBP, and slg, 2nd fewest runs allowed, 2nd fewest walks allowed, most pitcher k’s, 2nd in WHIP
6. 2018 all MLB 6th in runs scored, 2nd fewest batter K’s, 7th in BA, OBP, fewest runs allowed by far, best ERA by far, 4th fewest walks allowed, 2nd fewest HR allowed, most pitcher k’s, best era, best whip
7. 2017 all MLB most runs scored, fewest batter k’s as per usual, best BA, OBP, SLG, 9th fewest runs allowed, 2nd in pitcher k’s, 7th, 8th, or 9th in the other pitching categories.
8. Since opening day 2015 Astros have won more reg season games than anybody except LA Dodgers (18 behind them as of right this minute); 3rd, 4th, and 5th best are 17, 21, and 25 behind us, respectively.
I mention all of this because
I AM HAVING SO MUCH FUN LOVING THIS TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Prunella Vulgaris
Good for you! I enjoy happy people.
WAR_OVERRATED
Trash can, apple watch, and monkey glue leaders too.
Cosmo2
You should see what it’s like locally in NY. I get the impression that some beats or sources find the lowest level front office worker they can find and pester them with questions: you gonna trade such and such? You gonna trade such and such?… The worker shrugs, I dunno, maybe… next day headline: team desperately looking to unload such and such.
Samuel
@ Cosmo2;
I love your posts!
As well as Nuanced Jamesian.
Cosmo2
Thanks, Samuel… right back at ya!
Colt 45
Very much appreciated! Thank you!
Kg3636
Team is perfect as is and favorites to win the next 10 championships. Let’s not ruin the chemistry of greatest team to ever grace professional sports.
Signed Metsfan22
whynot 2
No one can match the annoyance level of the original, so don’t even try.
Heemtj1218
My priority in this order would be Jon gray, Pineda, and Anderson. All expiring contracts that shouldn’t require much in return. I’d also
Love to make a run at Kimbrel and let him finish the year as a closer. Again it’s another expiring contract so wouldn’t have to give up too much to get him and maybe it lights a fire under Diaz ass for next year. And maybe we add asdrubal now that Peraza went down, he’s familiar with New York and is having one of his best offensive years.
Heemtj1218
When Degrom and carrasco are back our rotation is Degrom, stroman, carrasco, walker, gray. Let Noah start off in the own and slowly build him up in case of another injury so he can slide into the rotation, either him or Megill.
stymeedone
@heemtj
This year its more like IF DeGrom and Carrasco get back.
sidewinder11
Asdrubal is injured right now but should be back relatively soon.
downsr30
Zach Davies & Kris Bryant for JT Ginn & Jose Butto
Heemtj1218
The difference in performance between Bryant and JD Davis isn’t significant enough to give up Ginn. I’m sorry. Just not worth giving up a top 10 prospect for an expiring contract when we have Davis back and performing well. Bryant has had a good year but nothing too special
Heemtj1218
Davis was a steal from Houston. Plus Davis is eligible for free agency until 2025. The league has adjusted to Bryant so we don’t need him.
metzfan
the league has adjusted to Bryant after seven years? You think one bad June and the league hasn’t figured out? He sitting over 300 in July again and he said over 300 every month except June
VonPurpleHayes
Bryant keeps himself on the field. Davis is always hurt.
Heemtj1218
Bryant left tonight’s game with hamstring injury
VonPurpleHayes
Hilariously bad timing.
Heemtj1218
I want German Marquez badly. With Story leaving we can build a package around Mauricio and get started there. But Rockies said he’s going nowhere :/ Mauricio, Szapucki, and Ginn would be a decent hall for Colorado.
metzfan
you’re not going to trade a picture they just promoted to a ball in Ginn and Szapucki is injured. This is one of those dumb radio station caller trades who thinks every team wants to help their team and doesn’t care what they get back
HBan22
I’ve see many, many, many worse trade proposals than that on this site. Just saying.
jim stem
Ginn is pitching, I believe. Mauricio isn’t getting traded unless we are getting back a player under team control for more than two full years. I think Vientos could be traded because we have Baty right behind him.
Mets have to consider moving Mauricio off shortstop if they plan on keeping him through his free agency year.
mets1536
Pitching, Pitching, Pitching…..
Now That the Sticky Stuff has been Exposed Mets Bats Have Heated Up ….
Bill M
I’m not sure if it’s the sticky stuff issue but the Mets bats are certainly waking up. A good enough lineup to go deep into the postseason? Not sure about that. But regardless, the Mets should forget about Bryant, Cabrera, etc. Bullpen is OK but the rotation is a mess. Any of the starters mentioned would help this team tremendously. I like Gray
VonPurpleHayes
@Bill M Davis and Nimmo are huge additions to the lineup. Having them back is a big deal, although you can argue the team is worse off defensively now.
jim stem
@Bill m. I think it’s more of the parks (and pitching staffs) they have been playing in, to be honest. Reds and Pirates ballparks are a joke the way the ball carries in those places.
Bill M
Fair enough
bucsfan0004
If your team needs pitching and you see a pic of a Dbacks pitcher, you might be doomed
Say Hey Now Kid
Shouldn’t the Mets be looking at Escobar over Asdrubal?
@DaOldDerbyBastard
Absolutely
mhiggers22
Why not bring up Mauricio for a couple of months? It would be great to see what he can do.
I think Megill could be a hidden gem.
Question:in extra inning games when the put they runner on 2B, if he scores is the pitcher charged with an earned run?
@DaOldDerbyBastard
No. I wondered the same until it happened last night.
jim stem
I don’t think Mauricio should be brought up unless we lose another middle infielder. Which is pretty much only a matter of time.
It’s unreal how a guy comes up from the minors and immediately goes on the IL with strained muscle. Front office seriously needs to look into this training staff or the pregame routines.
jwt421
Bryant is off the table. A hamstring injury could be weeks or months to recover from. Even if he’s fine, Bryant doesn’t put them over the top and J.D. Davis is just fine offensively.
While getting some starting help seems to be the big need, we also need guys that can go at least 6 innings or throw 100 pitches a game. I can’t recall how many games this year the bullpen has been asked to get 12-16 outs on consecutive days with the starter being taken out with a pitch count in the mid-70’s. It’s not sustainable.
jim stem
I think the Mets add one if not two, if those starting pitchers. Wouldn’t shock me of the OF Rincon is flipped as part of the deal.
Peterson, who is starting his rehab games, has been terribly inconsistent and could work as the long man out of the bullpen if we add 2. He could be the scheduled piggy back to Carrasco.
Kevin Michael Farrell
Bring back Big Sexy for the rest of the season! He still wants to pitch and you need the help, Surely he wont cost much. but there could be incentives! And most everybody loves the guy, so why the h not? He’s at least as good as what keeps bouncing up and down from the minors!
Dan Hunter
Guillorme CANNOT replace Lindor even for 1 month.