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Carlos Mendoza signals to the bullpen during a game against the Dodgers.
The New York Mets are 7-13 in their last 20 games, but remain one of Major League Baseball’s top contenders, with superstar outfielder Juan Soto at the forefront.
At third base, the Mets have utilized Brett Baty and moved Mark Vientos back to the hot corner after retaining first baseman Pete Alonso on a two-year contract during the winter.
Neither Baty nor Vientos is hitting the ball well, and the Mets rank near the bottom of Major League Baseball in offensive production from third base. Both players’ poor play has led to rumors that the president of baseball operations, David Stearns, will look to make an external addition at the trade deadline.
Mets Tabbed as Top Landing Spot for Alex Bregman
Much like dozens of other teams around MLB during the offseason, the New York Mets showed interest in signing two-time All-Star and the 2024 American League Gold Glove Award winner at third base, Alex Bregman.
Bregman landed with the Boston Red Sox on a three-year, $120 million contract including opt-outs, but is currently on the 10-day injured list with a right quad strain. There’s no definitive reason for the Red Sox to trade the 31-year-old, unless they believe he will depart for another organization after the season. On Wednesday, Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer mentioned the Mets, including several other teams, that could have interest in Bregman if he becomes available.
“A trade for Bregman would fit the bill and would obviously turn one of the Mets’ biggest weaknesses into a significant strength. And for this club more than most, money doesn’t figure to be an object,” wrote Rymer.
Before Bregman’s injury, the former longtime Houston Astro hit .299/.385/.553 with 11 home runs, 35 RBIs, and a .938 OPS in 51 games. His one-out above average ranked in the 75th percentile, and he committed five errors in 148 chances.
Mets Swap Marte and No. 3 Prospect for Bregman in Trade Idea
To receive a player of Bregman’s talent, the outgoing players must match or surpass his value. There’s also a question of how badly the New York Mets seek an upgrade at third base, a question only the front office can answer.
In Rymer’s trade proposal for Bregman, the Boston Red Sox acquire designated hitter Starling Marte and the Mets’ No. 3 prospect on MLB Pipeline, right-hander Nolan McLean.
“With $10.4 million still coming to him, Marte would be in this deal partly to balance out the financials,” wrote Rymer. “But for Boston, the real point of taking him on would be as a means to effectively buy McLean from the Mets.”
Marte has dealt with injuries in each of those previous three seasons, but is still performing eight percent better than the average MLB hitter. The Dominican Republic native becomes a free agent at season’s end.
“Whether the Mets would do such a deal is far from certain, but McLean is the kind of guy the Red Sox should want if they’re going to offload Bregman,” Rymer wrote. “His slider alone is worth the price of admission, and he’s used it to compile a 2.25 ERA in the high minors this season.”
The Mets’ anticipation of their No. 2 and No. 5 prospects, Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat, might give them the flexibility to make a trade for Bregman involving McLean and retain two talented pitchers nearing MLB debuts.
Conor Liguori is a sports journalist covering the MLB for Heavy Sports. Conor has covered professional baseball leagues like the KBO, NPB, CPBL, and the LBPRC in Puerto Rico. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Connecticut State University. More about Conor Liguori
