Reports: Mets Have Interest In Willson Contreras, David Robertson

Updated Report, 7/26/222, 1:34 p.m.

On top of Jeff Passan’s earlier report, Sports Illustrated‘s Pat Ragazzo says the Mets have discussed a package of both Contreras and David Robertson with the Cubs.

The report repeats the Mets’ claim that both Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty are off limits, so they wouldn’t be in the deal, but “multiple top prospects” would go to Chicago. There’s no word on who those prospects would be.

Original Report, 7/26/222, 10:02 a.m.

The New York Mets have touched base with the Chicago Cubs about a potential trade for catcher Willson Contreras, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

With the trade deadline on August 2 rapidly approaching, it is no secret that the Mets need to add a power bat or two to their lineup. They also badly need help at catcher with James McCann on the shelf with an oblique injury. That leaves Tomás Nido , Patrick Mazeika, and the recently acquired Michael Perez (who was sent to Triple-A), but neither player is a World Series caliber backstop.

Given that the earliest stud phenom Francisco Álvarez is likely to be called up is next year now, it is no surprise that the Mets have checked in on Contreras given that he’s the best catcher available at the trade deadline. Not only is he solid behind the plate, he’s also a legit slugger and he would inject some much-needed power into the middle of this lineup. The 30-year-old could also be a very dangerous option at DH, too.

We recently profiled Contreras as a trade candidate for the Mets, which you can read here.

While there is some interest from Queens, Passan has noted that the Houston Astros have also been in contact with the Cubs about Contreras, and the Giants may have interest, too.

One other interesting note from Passan is the fact that multiple teams have concerns over Contreras being able to mesh and build a relationship with a new pitching staff on the fly given his weakness in the game-calling area.

However, for a team like the Mets who have shown glaring signs of holes in the offense with the bats slowing down both heading into and coming out of the All-Star break, Contreras could be acquired as more of a power bat rather than a primary backstop.

It does appear that general manager Billy Eppler is still looking to upgrade at DH despite acquiring Daniel Vogelbach from the Pirates last week, with Passan noting in the same story that there is some interest from the Mets in Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez.

One final interesting nugget from Passan is that the Cubs could look to use Contreras as part of a blockbuster package for Nationals superstar Juan Soto. After all, Chicago has some interesting pieces in the likes of relief pitcher David Robertson and switch-hitter Ian Happ as well as a collection of high-end prospects. That could alter the entire landscape of the trade deadline if the Cubs decide to enter the Soto sweepstakes. (The Nats could then flip some of the expiring deals for more assets.)

There’s certainly plenty to keep an eye on from Passan’s story alone, and we’ll watch the Contreras situation with interest given that there is clear interest there. Whatever happens, though, it is abundantly clear that the Mets are invested in adding more power bats and sluggers to their lineup and they look to be in play on the biggest names available in the lead-up to August 2.