According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, while the Mets still believe they are more likely to add a reliever at the trading deadline, they are now more inclined to pursue a bat due to the loss of Juan Lagares to surgery on his left thumb.
According to ESPN reporter Jerry Crasnick, the Mets are interested in Tampa Bay Rays’ Steve Pearce, but they have found the asking price to be too high. The Cleveland Indians have also been connected to Pearce.
Pearce, 33, is batting .312 with a .384 OBP and a .912 OPS in 224 plate appearance. He’s hit 10 home runs, 11 doubles and 29 RBI in 58 games this year with the Rays.
The right-handed hitting slugger is owed roughly $2 million for the rest of this season, after which he is a free agent.
Earlier reports also mentioned the Mets have inquired about Jay Bruce and that the Reds have been scouting Kevin Plawecki.
So far, the Mets have not been linked to any other outfield bats.
