Flushing– After a month of win streaks, walk off home runs, London Series, and Grimance come to an end the Mets find themselves right back in contention for a playoff spot. They have rattled off a 15-6 record heading into the final series of June against the Houston Astros and with the trade deadline looming what are the next moves for David Sterns and Steven Cohen.
Since the start of the season the pitching staff has always had a question mark next to it. Sterns has had zero tolerance when it comes to bullpen performance, making transactions between Syracuse and Queens weekly. Edwin Diaz has eight more games left until he is able to come back from his suspension and Drew Smith on the 15 day injured list means the Mets bullpen is going to be short-handed.
Regardless if every starting pitcher goes out and pitches seven innings every night it is going to be crucial to find fresh arms to bring to this team at a low cost. In house the Mets have Grant Hartwig, Joey Lucchesi, Cole Sulser, and Josh Walker down in Syracuse with a couple of different options they can explore around the league.
Matt Moore LHP LAA: Besides a bad outing against the St. Louis Cardinals, Moore has been excellent in the bullpen for the Angels. In the month of June he posted a 3-0 record with an ERA of 3.24, opponent batting average of .194, and 3 strikeouts over 9 appearances. According to Baseball Savant he is among the top relievers in hard-hit%, expected batting average of .218, and average exit velocity of 87.8.
Carlos Estevez RHP LAA: Another Angel who has had an excellent month of June. In eight appearances this month Estevez has an ERA of 0.00, 10 strikeouts, 1 hit, and an opponent batting average of .040. He has an electric fastball that averages 96.3 MPH and is able to create a lot of whiffs with a devastating slider. Estevez will come at a price, but will it be worth it if the Mets continue to play great baseball.
Tanner Scott LHP MIA: This would not be the first time the Mets have traded with the Marlins, but Miami’s front office has made it clear that they are in a full rebuild and David Sterns may be able to scoop up Scott at the deadline. In the month of June the only game Scott has given up a run was to the Mets when J.D. Martinez hit a two run home run to walk it off. He has an ERA of 1.54 on the season with 36 strikeouts in 34 appearances and has been one of the best relievers in all of baseball this season. Scott will come at a high price, but given his age (29) this can potentially be a long term investment for the Mets at this year’s trade deadline.
Shawn Armstrong RHP TB: The Rays have managed to get to just one game below an even record, but with a brutal schedule ahead you may see them sellers when the deadline approaches. Armstrong has an ERA of 3.96 on the season with 39 strikeouts over 29 appearances. He primarily mixes between four seamer, cutter, and sinker with slightly above average extension. He has not been able to show consistency with the Rays but is in the last year of his deal and a new change of scenery may be beneficial for Armstrong.
Given that there are currently seven National League teams within at most four games back from a playoff spot it is going to be interesting how each team approaches the trade deadline. As the season plays out in July there will be more answers as to which teams will buy or sell, but at this point in time the Mets have new life to the season and can take advantage of great arms on teams that will be sellers at the trade deadline.