Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets lineup is finally looking like its Opening Day self after dealing with injuries for much of the first half of 2021.

Following the July 31 trade deadline, the Mets lineup might even get stronger- with a reinforcement from the Twin Cities.

According to The Athletic, the Mets have displayed interest in Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson.

Donaldson, who was named AL MVP in 2015 as a Toronto Blue Jay, remains an above-average hitter for the Twins. In 66 games this season, he’s batting .249/.346/.484 with 13 home runs and 34 RBIs. While he’s batted in the second spot in the order for Minnesota in the majority of games in 2021, he’s a movable asset for a club that sits 15.0 games back of first place in the AL Central.

As outlined by The Athletic, Donaldson would provide a nice upgrade at third base for the Mets, who have mostly played Jonathan Villar at the position. He’s played more or less like a replacement player (101 OPS+), and has provided value for the Mets as they’ve faced injuries. But simply put, Donaldson would be a significant upgrade for the Mets at the hot corner. Adding into into a lineup that already includes the likes of Brandon Nimmo, Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Dominic Smith would instantly improve the Mets chances of going deep into October.

When it comes to the postseason, experience does matter. Donaldson brings that and more, playing in 39 postseason games between his time in Oakland, Toronto, Cleveland, and Atlanta.

Another name on the Twins they Mets have shown interest in is RHP José Berríos. The two-time All-Star has gone 7-3 this season with a 3.36 ERA in 101.2 innings pitched. Striking out 106 batters to just 27 walks, Berrios would give the Mets a playoff rotation set up to dominate- and that’s under the assumption that Noah Syndergaard and Carlos Carrasco are pushed from the rotation, possibly into an October bullpen role.

His 123 ERA+ would be a season-high, dating back to his major league debut in 2016.

Steve Cohen recently poised a question on Twitter that may come into play in a possible deal with Minnesota.

Are the Mets willing to mortgage the young talent in their farm system to improve the team?

In trading for Donaldson and/or Berrios, two of Minnesota’s best players and hot targets on the trade market, it appears that the Mets would have to part with at least some of their valued prospects.