A team source tells Newsday’s Marc Carig that an outfielder is still very much in play for the Mets as they look to make an addition before the July 31 trade deadline.
This disputes an earlier report by Adam Rubin, who reported the Mets would not add an outfielder and their scope was limited to the shortstop position or a bench player.
Carig’s report makes much more sense given the poor outfield production, especially Michael Cuddyer, and injury concerns with Juan Lagares.
The source also told Carig, “it’s far too early to be eliminating options” that can improve the team.
July 16
Despite some of the worst ranked outfield production in majors, the Mets are not expected to acquire an outfielder before the July 31 trade deadline, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.
Rubin also adds that if the Mets make any move by the Trade Deadline, it will most likely come at either shortstop, or to acquire a versatile starting player or a bench player. The front office views the shortstop position and their bench as their biggest weakness.
So the plan is for the Mets to keep their fingers crossed and hope for a big second half rebound from Michael Cuddyer and Juan Lagares, and at least a little more improvement from Curtis Granderson.
At least for the time being, John Mayberry and Kirk Nieuwenhuis remain the fourth and fifth outfielders.
Potentially available outfielders include Jay Bruce of the Reds, Justin Upton and Will Venable of the Padres, Gerardo Parra and Carlos Gomez of the Brewers, Yasiel Puig of the Dodgers, and Josh Reddick of the Athletics.
Infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist was also previously available, but Oakland is now reportedly in a holding pattern and are holding off on trading Zobrist for now.
