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Boosting the starting rotation is the ‘top priority’ for the Mets ahead of the July 30 trade deadline, interim general manager Zack Scott told Jon Heyman and Cody Decker on today’s Big Time Baseball podcast . Scott also suggested that the Mets – like almost all contenders – would be looking for reliever help over the next week and a half.
The New York rotation has been one of the best units in the league, but that’s in large part thanks to the top three of Jacob of Grom, Marcus Stroman and Taijuan Walker. Strengthening the rear was likely a priority even before deGrom appeared on the injured list with forearm strain over the weekend. Scott noted that there was no structural damage and that the team are optimistic about deGrom’s prognosis, but the star pitcher’s schedule remains uncertain as long as he continues to experience discomfort.
Fourth starter David Peterson is also on the IL, as are the depth options Joey lucchesi and Jordan yamamoto. Carlos Carrasco hasn’t pitched all season due to various injuries. Carrasco is currently in rehab and set to make his team debut, but it might be difficult to count on him to take on too much of a workload over time given his recent spate of health issues.
These injuries caused the Mets to turn to Tylor Megill (who performed well in his first five starts) and a revolving door of deep players at the back of the rotation. Adding a stabilizing, sleeve-eating presence to this group makes perfect sense for President Sandy Alderson, Scott and the rest of the front office.
Unsurprisingly, Scott did not indicate which specific targets the Mets wanted to acquire. Merrill kelly (Diamondbacks), Michael pineda (Twins), Jon gray (Rockies) and Tyler anderson (Pirates) are among the mid-level starting pitchers who may be on the move before the deadline. The Mets sent scouts to see Kelly’s last start before All-Star Break, writes SNY’s Andy Martino, though it’s not clear if this was anything more than standard stagecoach. . (The Mets have been linked with Kelly’s teammate Asdrúbal Cabrera, and it’s certainly possible that New York might be interested in other veteran Arizona roster players). A non-Mets source tells Martino that the price the D-Backs are asking for on Kelly is “high.”
As for the bullpen, it seems New York is open to getting help in any way it can. Scott pushed back on the idea that the team needed a pitcher with closing experience. Edwin diaz has struggled recently, but Scott highlighted Díaz’s track record by expressing confidence in his ability to bounce back. Díaz’s peripherals are more impressive than his 4.30 ERA, so it’s not unreasonable to remain confident in the right-hander’s ability to hold the lead.
Scott hasn’t ruled out the possibility of making an addition from the positional side, but it looks like pitching is in the foreground of attention. The interim general manager highlighted the feedback from a few key IL players and expressed his comfort with the general state of the offense. New York has been linked to Kris bryant and Josh donaldson in recent weeks, but the Mets have allowed the third goal Jd davis from the injured list this weekend.
At the same time, the Mets lost the star shortstop Francisco lindor to IL and they relied on Luis Guillorme at office. When asked if the club could explore a shortstop upgrade, Scott said this course of action was possible but would require any entering player to be prepared to move elsewhere around the Diamond once Lindor will be back. As to when that might happen, Scott noted that similar injuries to Lindor’s typically come with a four to six week schedule. If Lindor follows that timeline, he will consider a return date in late August.
The Mets lost tonight’s game to the Reds, dropping them to 49-43. They hold a two-game lead over the Phillies in an increasingly crowded NL East.
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