The Mets have two of the perfect pitchers in baseball on the mend, with Max Scherzer anticipated again as early as Sunday and Jacob deGrom believed possible again across the time of the All-Star Sport. Nonetheless, with different damage considerations of their rotation (and certainly some persevering with deGrom uncertainty), the Mets are amongst just a few groups displaying early curiosity in Reds beginning pitcher Luis Castillo.
They’d presumably have curiosity in different starters, as nicely, together with his teammate Tyler Mahle, who they talked about in winter, and A’s star Frankie Montas, who they’ve scouted, too. Phrase is, the Twins (who acquired Sonny Grey from Cincinnati) and ultra-aggressive Padres (who wouldn’t appear to have rotational wants) are also in on Castillo, who has one other yr earlier than free company and will draw curiosity from each contender.
In one other attention-grabbing twist, whereas the Mets entered Thursday tied atop MLB with the Yankees with 353 runs, they could be available in the market for a hitter, too. The commerce market isn’t anticipated to be stocked with bats, however Josh Bell and Andrew Benintendi are amongst a choose few who’d assist.
The Mets had been seen early as being among the many NL groups finest geared up to fill DH, as they'd a number of candidates. However with Robinson Cano lengthy gone, Dom Smith hovering across the Mendoza line and J.D. Davis’ OPS under .700, there’s room for enchancment.
MVP candidate Pete Alonso leads the NL with 20 house runs however is generally alone as a slugger in a Mets lineup that’s thrived by hitting a league-high .261, hitting higher than anybody with males in scoring place (.289) and usually setting the usual for opportunism. One other large bat — ideally a lefty (or change hitter like Bell) — behind Alonso, might make the Mets extra formidable.
With celebrity Juan Soto all however sure to stick with the Nats, and hitters briefly provide, it is going to be a vendor’s market. The Mets (and lots of others) would have liked a shot at Soto, however a few his teammates (not simply Bell but in addition the ageless Nelson Cruz) could also be among the many higher choices in a market the place overpays are anticipated with a really restricted provide.
Bell (.852 OPS) is having maybe the perfect yr amongst obtainable hitters, however Benintendi might additionally could match since he performs outfield, the place the Mets have skilled occasional damage absences. Different hitters anticipated to hit the market embrace Trey Mancini, David Peralta, Carlos Santana, Ian Happ, C.J. Cron and Jed Lowrie (clearly not a Mets possibility following his hitless Mets profession). One more Mets’ possibility might be a shock call-up of prime prospect Francisco Alvarez, who’s tearing it up these days at Double-A Binghamton. Whereas a catcher by commerce, a DH position at age 20 is likely to be extra practical (although he has solely about 200 at-bats at Double-A).
Though the Mets haven’t been overly offensively productive at catcher, starter James McCann is predicted again quickly, and his game-calling is appreciated; the pitchers have a 2.67 ERA with him behind the plate. The Mets are additionally anticipated to look to enhance the bullpen, significantly from the left facet. There can be many relievers obtainable, however with large demand, that, too, can be a vendor’s market.
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