The Mets have come to the assumption that they need to let David Wright take his time back from a painful spinal stenosis injury.
Mets GM Sandy Alderson was quoted on saying that the Mets will look outside the organization for someone to take the load off David Wright from coming back too soon. It also will help the current offense and defense at 3B, who has been shuffling the deck with a cast of characters including Daniel Murphy, Ruben Tejada, Eric Campbell, Daniel Muno.
The Mets already have been shuffling what they have as they have made changes to the infield alignment. Thursday night, they moved Ruben Tejada back to second base, Daniel Murphy back to his natural position of third, and Wilmer Flores was left at shortstop for the time being. The Mets did not want to hurt the confidence of the young shortstop, so he was spared the shift. In reality, the Mets could of moved Tejada back to short and moved Flores to second base and could happen in the near future as manager Terry Collins pointed out in the pregame.
As the Mets are in the hunt for the next replacement/compliment for David Wright, they have the natural ingredient for any trade - an abundance of starting pitching.
The Mets have been waffling the idea of trading either Jon Niese or Dillon Gee, but that has not happened and as the result, they have a six man rotation. Pitching prospect Steven Matz has been making his case for a spot, but the Mets just don't have room.
The Mets probably won't trade prospects Noah Syndergaard or Steven Matz because of their upside and basically don't make much and controllable for a good amount of time. The trade of the lifetime would have come to the desk of the Mets for them to do anything.
So that leaves NYM with the options of Gee, Niese, and many other lower level prospects to get a trade done.
The Mets could also dangle catching prospect Kevin Plawecki, who has been playing for a injured Travis d'Arnaud, but reality is he is insurance.
The rumor mills have been floating with possible names to play for the New York Mets (From the absurd to the realistic).
The teams that might be in selling mode (based on standings/sources) are the D'Backs, Reds, Marlins, Rockies, Phillies, Braves, Brewers, A's, and Blue Jays too. You could also add the Indians and White Sox as potential sellers.
From those teams, this is what has been floating around:
The Oakland A's (23-33), who have plummeted in the AL West standings, could leave Ben Zobrist available, and Alderson’s tight relationship with A’s general manager Billy Beane can’t be discounted. Zobrist is a interesting thought as he can play multiple positions including the outfield.
The Marlins (22-32) could also be in sell mode after a brutal start, making Martin Prado a potentially attractive option. He also plays multiple positions, but it's hard to believe the Marlins will trade in their own division. You could have the same case for the Phillies and Braves.
The Blue Jays (25-30) have made the news recently saying that could make Edwin Encarnacion or Jose Bautista available to cut salary and get some quality arms back. The Mets have made deals with the Jays in the past including one the Jays wish they had back, when they sent prospects Noah Syndergaard and Travis d'Arnaud back to Mets for Cy Young award winner R.A. Dickey. Bautista has experience at third base as well. Danny Valencia could be a lesser move, if the Mets elect.
The Milwaukee Brewers (18-36) have Aramis Ramirez and they are going no where fast. The Brewers have said they could go into hard selling mode soon. Ramirez, 36, is a veteran and could help the Mets short term, but has been plagued with his own injuries.
In a dream, the Reds (23-29) who might be sellers, could entice teams with third basemen Todd Frazier, who has 16 HRs and 32 RBI's. Don't think he will be moved.
The Rockies (24-28) have Troy Tulowitzki and it appears that dream has ended for the time being as Wilmer Flores has cemented himself there at short for the time being.
In other lesser moves, the Indians (25-27) could move third basemen Ryan Raburn and the White Sox (24-27) have utility infielder Emilio Bonifacio, who would be moved easily.
The Mariners (24-29), who are making a playoff push with the recent acquisition of Mark Trumbo, have an unhappy second basemen in Robinson Cano.
Do the Mets dare to dip their hat in that water? Does he like New York? The Mets could get it done with Dilson Herrera and Matz, just saying. That would say boom! Daniel Murphy could play third base now and is a free agent next year. No friction there.
Out of all of this, Zobrist and Prado become realistic options, while Bautista and Encarnacion become hard to believe options, but could help the Mets stay on top.