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With a new owner in place, 2021 has truly been the start of a new era for the New York Mets. During the offseason, the Mets made a bold move by trading for all-star shortstop Francisco Lindor. With the Mets sitting atop the NL East, we’ll see if the club is equally bold and aggressive at the trade deadline. It must be taken into consideration that the Mets have climbed to first place despite plenty of injuries. Getting players back from the IL might feel akin to trading for a player. But that doesn’t mean there haven’t been plenty of NY Mets trade rumors 2021 connecting the team to players who figure to be available before the trade deadline.
Mets trade rumors 2021
In terms of the Mets’ needs at the trade deadline, pitching is the name of the game. New York had planned on Noah Syndergaard and Carlos Carrasco both being a part of the team’s starting rotation by the middle of the summer. But both have suffered setbacks in their return from injuries, putting their status in doubt for the rest of the season.
While the trio of Jacob deGrom, Taijuan Walker, and Marcus Stroman has been outstanding, Joey Lucchesi and David Peterson have both had ups and downs. The Mets will surely be looking for ways to shore up the back end of their starting rotation.
But in terms of hitters, the Mets have few needs. Michael Conforto and Jeff McNeil are on their way back, giving the club a boost without making a trade. At the same time, there is lingering concern about Brandon Nimmo and J.D. Davis, who have been slow to return. But part-time players like Jonathan Villar and Kevin Pillar have been good enough this season that the Mets may not need to target any position players in a trade.
Mets trade targets
Who will be the Mets’ trade targets this summer? The dream option is Washington starter Max Scherzer.
If the Nationals continue to falter, they could look to trade away Scherzer, although the three-time Cy Young winner would have to approve a deal. The Nationals may also choose to hang onto Scherzer or prefer not to trade him within the NL East, so the odds are against the Mets acquiring Scherzer.
Outside of Scherzer, one name to watch is Michael Pineda of the last-place Minnesota Twins.
Before recently being put on the IL, Pineda was having a strong campaign, going 3-4 with a 3.70 ERA over 11 starts. The former Yankee has experience pitching in New York and would surely help the Mets solidify their rotation for the second half of the season.
If the Mets don’t have confidence in Carrasco and Syndergaard returning this year, lefty Matthew Boyd of the Detroit Tigers is another good candidate. Boyd is under team control for 2022, although the Tigers could trade him while his value is high. He currently owns a 3.44 ERA over 13 starts, making him an obvious upgrade over Peterson and Lucchesi in the back end of New York’s rotation.
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