After finishing the season at a respectable 79-83 the New York Mets have some work to do in order to bolster a beleaguered offense that ranked 13th in the National League in batting average and 12th in slugging percentage. At the moment the only legitimate power threat in the Mets everyday lineup is Lucas Duda after a breakout season in which he hit 30 home runs. Now General Manager Sandy Alderson and his regime must find a way to get Duda some protection, which is hard to imagine considering the mess of a situation first base was last spring training, but yet here we are.
The Mets have a lot of organizational depth when it comes to starting pitching so they should not be afraid to deal one or two arms away if it means improving the offense. Here are a few trades that Alderson could potentially seek out.
Rockies Receive Jon Niese for Corey Dickerson
Corey Dickerson had a breakout year in 2014 for the Colorado Rockies hitting 24 home runs in 131 games. Some may scoff at the idea he is a legitimate power threat considering his home games are played at Coors Field. However, he did hit 32 home runs while playing in the SALL, the same league Mets affiliate the Savannah Sand Gnats are associated with, in 2011. His home and road splits may scare some off but if Dickerson could be a 20-25 home run hitter with a .275 batting average while playing average defense in left field it would be a perfect fit for both teams.
Additionally the Rockies have stated they want to bring back Michael Cuddyer, which would leave Dickerson without a position, and have been very reluctant to engage in trade talks regarding Carlos Gonzalez. Jon Niese has trade value at the moment but recent fatigue has to be worrisome for the Mets. Not dealing him this offseason when his value is as high as it ever will be would be a mistake.
Braves Receive Noah Syndergaard, Daniel Murphy for Jason Heyward
This is a tricky trade especially because it is dealing with in-division rival the Atlanta Braves. Who ever the Braves hire to be the new general manger will surely be looking to mix things up after an awful collapse in the second half. Jason Heyward will be a free agent after next season thus giving the Braves more incentive to deal him this offseason. Murphy would help a Braves offense that struggled scoring runs ranking 14th in the National League.
Many Mets fan do not like the idea of trading Daniel Murphy because he seems to have figured out how to hit in Citi Field however Wilmer Flores or Dilson Herrera will be viable, and cheaper, options to replace him. Noah Syndergaard is a top 10 prospect in all of baseball but with the emergence of Jacob deGrom he is more expendable this offseason. With Heyward manning right field for the Mets they would easily have the best defensive outfield in the major leagues.
Pirates Receive Kevin Plawecki, Rafael Montero, Jack Leathersich for Starling Marte
The Pirates will most likely lose starting catcher Russell Martin this offseason due to free agency which would leave them in a very difficult spot, that is where the Mets come in. Starling Marte would be exactly what the Mets need, batting leadoff mixed with speed to steal bases while also playing a strong left field defensively. Kevin Plawecki will be one of the top rated catching prospects going into next year and will have immense trade value. Currently the Mets seem very comfortable with Travis d’Arnaud behind the plate, granted defensively he needs work, leaving Plawecki without a position on the big league team after a solid 2014 campaign in double and triple A.
The Mets may need to include some more prospects in a deal for Marte considering he is under contract until 2021 but Rafael Montero has showed signs of being a solid middle rotation starter and Plawecki seems major league ready. Also, Jack Leathersich could develop into a valuable left-handed reliever if he gets his control in order but at the moment, just like Plawecki, does not appear to have a spot on the Mets.
Phillies Receive Dillon Gee for Domonic Brown
It was most likely a mistake by the Mets not dealing Dillon Gee last offseason when his trade value was high. After a lackluster 2014 season Gee is on the outside looking in for the 2015 Mets starting rotation. He would be a solid addition to a Phillies pitching staff that ranked 12th in ERA in the NL. Considering Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has given no inclination into starting a rebuild this would make sense. Domonic Brown is only 27 and the Phillies have stated their desire to trade him. Brown, similarly to Gee, underperformed this season after hitting 27 home runs in 2013 and can not be a free agent until 2018.
This would be more of a last resort move for the Mets in terms of fixing the left field situation. Brown has the talent but needs an attitude adjustment, with the guidance from veteran leaders Curtis Granderson and David Wright he could potentially turn into a solid middle of the order bat.
Cubs Receive Zack Wheeler for Starlin Castro
Zack Wheeler was everything he was hyped up to be in 2014 and then some. Wheeler and Matt Harvey as your 1 and 2 starters going into next year would be phenomenal but the Mets are in dire need of an everyday shortstop. Thats where the Cubs, who lack young starting pitching, and Starlin Castro come in. Castro has been knocked for his hustle and attitude but most of that has been blown out of proportion, remember he is only 24-years-old. Castro proved that his 2013 season was a fluke and that he is clearly one of the top offensive shortstops in the major leagues. He is also signed until 2020 with a price tag that is low, due $6 million in 2015, considering his production level.
Trading Wheeler would be difficult because watching him grow into a dominant major league starting pitcher this season was exciting to watch. If the Cubs offered the Mets this deal there is no way they could turn it down. Castro would be a mainstay for years to come at a position that is crucial if a team plans on contending and being successful.
