MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 27: Michael Pineda #38 of the Detroit Tigers. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
The New York Mets, so far, are running away with the NL East. Who are some under-the-radar trade candidates New York may look to pick up for the stretch run?
The New York Mets will be buyers at the trade deadline, there’s no doubt about that. But will New York’s front office be looking to add a big name like Luis Castillo or might they take a look at a few players who are a bit under-the-radar.
Every year there are a handful of surprising candidates who, in the final year of their contract, catch the eye of opposing GMs. That might be the most likely strategy for the Mets after the team invested heavily in free agents Starling Marte, Max Scherzer, and Matt Canha during the offseason.
The Mets seem to have their bases covered, no pun intended, but there’s always room for improvement. After seeing some of their top pitchers wind up on the Injured List, just adding depth could prove valuable for New York as well. Who are five under-the-trade candidates the New York Mets might look to add?
Mets trade candidate: Michael Pineda would add another veteran to the rotation.
Michael Pineda picked a bad time to land on the IL. With the Detroit Tigers all but out of contention in the American League, the team’s front office will undoubtedly be shopping some of their players as the trade deadline approaches.
Pineda just hit the IL with a broken finger, but if all goes well, the right-hander could be back in the Tigers rotation in about a month. The Mets, unfortunately, know all too well about injuries to their starting rotation.
Currently, New York is without Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Tylor Megill. Despite not having three of their best arms, the Mets are still holding their own against their opponents. But the law of averages has to catch up with them eventually, so adding a pitcher like Pineda would certainly help.
Michael Pineda is signed to a one-year contract worth a little less than $6M. The veteran hurler has started five games this season for Detroit and owns a respectable 3.22 ERA. The former All-Star could add some insurance to the back of the Mets starting rotation.