The Mets are heading toward the trade deadline in sell mode, and Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller sees at least one familiar name drawing attention.
Clay Holmes could be part of the conversation, though his broken leg makes that a tricky sell. Miller wrote, "There may also be some interest in Clay Holmes, but he's rehabbing a broken leg and has a player option for next season," Miller wrote. "Even without including him, the Mets could put together a decent fire sale."
Holmes gave New York a strong stretch before the injury, logging a 2.39 ERA in nine starts before taking a comebacker off the leg from New York Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones.
Even so, Miller pointed to Freddy Peralta as the more appealing piece if the Mets decide to move talent. "Peralta hasn't been himself this season, but he's going to be one of the most coveted rentals on the market," Miller added.
Peralta’s numbers have been uneven - a 4.66 ERA and a 9.4% walk rate that sits in the 35th percentile among qualified pitchers - but he has stayed on the mound, making 20 starts before the break. He is also an impending free agent, which only adds to his value for a contender willing to bet on a turnaround.
The Mets’ season has gone off the rails, and their National League second-worst record at the All-Star break reflects that. Injuries have been a major reason, with shortstop Francisco Lindor limited to 40 games in the first half. Still, with a payroll this large, New York was supposed to be far more competitive than this.
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For New York, the appeal is obvious enough even with the risk baked in. McCullers has spent the last two seasons fighting through major health issues and uneven results, and the kind of pitcher he becomes with the Brewers will matter more than his reputation ever could. If he can stay on the mound and show something closer to his old form, he could fit the sort of upside play the Mets have not been shy about exploring, especially with David Stearns having known him from their time together in Houston. [Read more 🡒]
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Boston has been one of the teams linked as a possible fit, especially with a need for another matchup lefty to pair behind Aroldis Chapman. But the Red Sox have also played their way into a murkier spot, and their recent surge has made it harder to tell whether they will push in for bullpen help or stay patient, leaving any potential deal hanging on how they read the next few days. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Are Eyeing A Mets Starter And Fans Wont Like It
The Phillies have surged since Don Mattingly took over as interim manager, and their push toward the NL East race has only sharpened the focus on the trade deadline. According to ESPNs Buster Olney, Philadelphia is prioritizing starting pitching, with the middle of the rotation emerging as the area it wants to upgrade as it tries to keep pace in a tight division battle.
For Mets fans, the more unsettling part is that one of the names floating into that discussion is a current New York starter who is still working back from injury. He is on the 60-day injured list and expected to return in August, which makes him an especially intriguing possibility for a contender looking to add help without waiting too long, and it adds another layer to a deadline market that could get complicated quickly. [Read more 🡒]