Five trade targets the New York Mets should focus on right now

The New York Mets have made the postseason two years in a row. But if Sandy Alderson could pull off a trade, they’d be the class of the NL.

Fans of the New York Mets have been treated to a very successful run the last two seasons, culminating in consecutive postseason trips for just the second time in the franchise’s 55 year history.

But the last thing that general manager Sandy Alderson should do is stay stagnant this offseason and in the future, as trades are a vital part of what keep an organization competitive for extended periods of time.

The Mets’ blue chip prospects in shortstop Amed Rosario, first baseman Dominic Smith, and catcher Tomas Nido – among others – should be somewhat off limits. That is, unless there approaches a trade scenario in which Alderson would receive a young, considerably team-controlled player in return.

Rosario and Smith are both expected to be major league ready by Opening Day 2018 – just in time for current shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and first baseman Lucas Duda‘s contracts to be up. So specifically, that duo is vital to the future of the Mets.

But there is plenty of talent available on the trade market currently, and the Mets have the major and minor league assets to acquire that said talent.

So without further ado, here are five trades targets that Alderson could – and should – look at right away to improve this Mets squad.

Kansas City Royals CF Lorenzo Cain

It would be a complete coup if Alderson and the Mets could find a way to scoop up speedy outfielder Lorenzo Cain from the Kansas City Royals.

Cain has been a leader both in clubhouse and on the field for the Royals, placing third in the National League MVP vote during their 2015 World Series title run. He posted an impressive .307/.361/.477 line, paired with 101 runs, 34 doubles, six triples, 16 home runs, 72 RBIs, and 28 stolen bases. That solid five-tool ability would make him a perfect complement to current power outfielders Yoenis Cespedes and Jay Bruce.

During an injury plagued 2016 season, Cain still managed 19 doubles, nine homers, 56 RBIs, 14 steals and a .287 average over 397 at-bats.

But besides his strengths at the plate, Cain is a more than capable canter fielder, possessing the speed necessary to run balls down in the gap – turning extra-base hits into singles in the process. He only committed three errors last season as well.

So when combining his quickness, his ability to get on-base, and his experience in center, Cain would prove to be a perfect fit in Queens.

Just imagine him batting leadoff and starting in center. Beautiful sight, isn’t it?

Oakland A’s C Stephen Vogt

Although Stephen Vogt is not the most adept catcher in the field, his work in the batter’s box would finally help give Mets manager Terry Collins some offensive production out of his backstops.

In over 920 innings behind the plate last season, Vogt threw out just 28 percent of would be base-stealers. But he did only commit five errors – showing he doesn’t make too many boneheaded plays there.

Cough, cough – Travis d’Arnaud.

But this man can absolutely hit out of the catcher position, posting a .256/.322/.424 line and 51 doubles, 32 homers, and 127 RBIs the last two seasons combined. Vogt made the All-Star game each of those years as well.

Where his problems arise, though, are his split numbers against lefties, as Vogt hit just .196 in 2016 in those matchups – compared to a .264 average against right-handed pitchers. His .239 average against southpaws in 2015 shows he has some ability to be at least average there, but it might be best to enter him into a platoon should he come to New York.

d’Arnaud – a righty – hit 14 doubles and 12 homers with 41 RBIs and a .268 average in 2015, but collapsed down to a .247 average and four homers last season.

But if placed in a split-time situation with a veteran like Vogt, the duo might be able to blossom into a productive team from behind the plate and in the lineup.

Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Tony Watson

At 31-years-old, newly Pirates anointed closer Tony Watson has been a great reliever for six seasons now. During his career, he’s compiled a 2.56 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and an 8.0 K/9 rate.

Watson was handed the closing job last August after the Bucs traded then sandman Mark Melancon to the Washington Nationals. He ended 2016 with 15 saves and a 3.06 ERA, largely succeeding in his new found role.

If Sherlock Holmes’ partner – ‘Watson’, get it? – were to come to the Mets, he would fill two areas of need. Not only would he immediately strengthen the weak Josh Smoker and Josh Edgin-led lefty group, but he would give TC another late game option to help fill in while closer Jeurys Familia is likely suspended.

The main obstacle standing in the way of a deal getting done, though, is Pirates GM Neal Huntington, who turned down MLB.com‘s #3 and #38 prospects in Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez respectively from the Nationals in exchange for aging center fielder Andrew McCutchen earlier this offseason.

So while this may not be likely, if something could be worked out, the Mets ‘pen would be forever grateful.

St. Louis Cardinals RHP Trevor Rosenthal

A former 2015 All-Star closer for the Cardinals, Trevor Rosenthal still throws a high-90s fastball, that can sometimes even break the century threshold.

So although a 4.46 ERA and 1.90 WHIP in 2016 might scare some teams away, this guy still possesses the abilities that made him one of the most feared closers in the game.

Between the 2014 and ’15 seasons, Rosenthal managed 93 saves, along with a 2.65 ERA and 170 strikeouts in just 139 innings tossed. His performance in 2015 even earned him a 17th place vote in the NL MVP race – a rare honor for relievers to have bestowed upon them.

Just as Alderson took a flyer on current setup man Addison Reed after a 4.23 ERA and 1.33 WHIP run with the Arizona Diamondbacks over two seasons, a move like this could possibly replicate the magic of Reed’s deal.

Rosenthal started off 2016 solid in April and May, throwing around a 2.00 ERA with eight saves. But once the calendar flipped to June and July, he collapsed and lost his pitch control, walking nearly a batter an inning. But he closed out the season strong, producing a 1.29 ERA in September and October.

With Rosenthal having shown he can turn things around, he’s more than worth a buy via trade for the Mets. His rough 2016 season has his value about as low as it will probably be for some time, so jumping on him now would be the move.

Detroit Tigers LHP Justin Wilson

A former New York Yankee, Tigers lefty Justin Wilson would fit into Queens with no issue – and he would come cheaper than Tony Watson.

Wilson won’t enter free agency until 2019 at the earliest, giving the Mets would be control over him for the foreseeable future, helping to lock in the back end of the bullpen a little more concretely.

After producing a 4.14 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 65 strikeouts over 58.2 innings in 2016, Wilson’s value is low enough that the Tigers wouldn’t require a ton back in return for him in a trade scenario. But what Alderson would really be banking on would be his 3.10 ERA performance with the Yanks back in 2015.

If he could recreate anywhere near that level of success for the team in Queens, then – again like Watson – the Mets’ lefty situation would be heavily shored up and they would get an experienced seventh and eighth inning arm to help set up for Familia and/or Reed.

The Mets have plenty of starting pitching depth, and that’s exactly what Tigers GM Al Avila would be looking for after a sub-par rotation performance aside from Justin Verlander and ex-Mets prospect Michael Fulmer‘s work in 2016.