The New York Mets have been among the more aggressive teams in recent years, and as the trade deadline approaches, New York sounds like it’s in on just about everything in an attempt to take the next step.
The Mets entered the day in a dead heat with the Philadelphia Phillies atop the National League East. One year removed from going to the NL Championship Series, the Mets are trying to add again, even after owner Steve Cohen splashed the pot in the offeason by signing Juan Soto.
And even with Soto patrolling the Citi Field outfield, it sounds like New York is working to add another impact player to the outfield before Thursday’s deadline. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers believes the Mets are keeping close tabs of two outfielders currently on bad teams.
The Mets are “keeping an eye on” both Baltimore’s Cedric Mullins and White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., Rogers wrote for ESPN.com’s trade tracker. Reading between the lines, it sounds like Robert might be the priority, but a recent groin injury has complicated the situation some.
“Before getting hurt, he was easily having the best month of any over the past two seasons, hitting .351 with a .442 OBP in July,” Rogers wrote. “The White Sox have been waiting for an increase in prospect capital to move forward on a deal. It’s possible they finally get it this week, but they could always pick up the option in his contract this offseason and do this all over again next year. Robert’s production this month has teams intrigued.”
Landing Robert might cost the Mets third baseman Mark Vientos, according to one report. At this point, New York might jump at that given Vientos’ struggles, and it might become even more likely if they could also swing a Eugenio Suarez trade.
There’s nothing specific about Mullins in the capsule, but the Orioles outfielder is a decent Plan B. He’s a left-handed batter (Robert hits from the right) who’s having a down year. He’s a former top prospect who does have a Silver Slugger to his name after a career season in 2021 when he had 175 hits — 30 of them home runs — and was a six-win player for the Orioles. He’s been a pretty reliable player for most of his career, but like a lot of O’s, he’s having a bad season this season.
Maybe a change of scenery would get Mullins back on chance.
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