The MLB trade deadline on August 1st is rapidly approaching, and the trade rumors around the New York Mets starting to heat up. The Mets are 49-42 and battling for a Wild Card spot. The Mets are likely buyers, with bullpen help the apparent top target. With that in mind, here all the latest Mets trade rumors.
Mets Looking For Bullpen Help?
The Mets could go a few different ways at the trade deadline, but the New York Post reports their primary target is bullpen help. Because of the presence of Addison Reed and Jeurys Familia, the Mets aren't necessarily going after a top-end reliever.
That reliever, according to a club source, doesn’t necessarily have to be a higher-end option in the mold of Tyler Clippard, whom the Mets acquired for the stretch run last year. But names such as San Diego's Ryan Buchter and Brad Hand could appeal to the Mets, along with Oakland's John Axford and Atlanta’s Chris Withrow. If the Mets wanted to make a play on another team’s closer, Milwaukee’s Jeremy Jeffress could be a possibility.
The reporting from the Post is backed up by a report from Newsday's Marc Carig. The report says the Mets are targeting a right handed reliever, although Carig reports Jeffress is likely too expensive for a team that is looking to add a seventh inning reliever.
Mets And Jon Niese?
The Mets traded away Niese earlier this year in a trade that netted them second baseman Neil Walker. The Mets clearly won that trade. Although Walker is hitting just .248, he has 16 home runs and Niese has struggled this year. The Pirates are open to dealing Niese and the Mets haven't ruled out a reunion, reports Newsday. If the price is low, the Mets could add Niese to help the back-end of the rotation.
Cespedes Wants To Play Left Field?
Yoenis Cespedes will be playing left field for the next few days and told ESPN he'd like to stay there.
"If they give me the option, I'll stay in left field," Cespedes said. "I'd rather play left field because I feel more comfortable. And also it's less work on my leg."
Cespedes is battling an injured quad, which he says is at 80-90 percent. The issue for the Mets is that they'd likely prefer Michael Conforto in left field and Curtis Granderson in right. Juan Lagares and Alejandro De Aza are the experience CFs, but playing either of them means benching Granderson or Conforto.
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