The New York Mets are expected to make a trade within the next eight days to improve their offense, but they also need some help within the next week if outfielder Michael Cuddyer hits the disabled list. Is the organization prepared to call up a top prospect?
General manager Sandy Alderson has a number of decisions to make before July 31 and one of them could be whether or not to call up outfield prospect Michael Conforto. The possibility was previously mentioned by Jon Heyman of CBS Sports and rumors have followed, but it could soon become a reality.
The Mets are working to avoid putting Cuddyer on the DL, but that doesn't mean he's healthy or ready to return in the near future. New York needs offensive help now and the games leading up to the trade deadline are just as crucial as any others.
"The tone from others in the organization on Tuesday regarding Conforto's major-league readiness was significantly different from a week ago, and that seems to be an indication of the GM's thinking," writes John Harper of the New York Daily News.
"That alone tells you the Mets are thinking more seriously about promoting Conforto, their top hitting prospect, after only six weeks in Double-A. Meanwhile, a source told Daily News beat writer Kristie Ackert that Alderson may pull the trigger on Conforto as early as Thursday if the Mets' anemic offense continues to sputter through this series with the Nationals."
The 22-year-old is batting .301/.377/.489 with 46 runs scored, 12 home runs and 54 RBIs in 90 games this season between Class A Advanced St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton. He's certainly no offensive game-changer that will inject never-before-seen life into the Mets' lifeless offense, but his bat has shown improvement in Double-A and he could be ready to help facilitate some run scoring in the meantime as Alderson works out a trade for another bat.
It at least has to be better than going with Kirk Nieuwenhuis or John Mayberry Jr. And they have a reason to call him up without it seeming as if he's being rushed.
"The Mets could promote outfielder Michael Conforto using the same rationale that the Cubs did when they first summoned Kyle Schwarber, saying the move only would be temporary," FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal adds.
It likely would be temporary because Alderson has the resources to trade for an impact bat and he's probably just as frustrated with the fans regarding how many quality starts have been wasted because of the struggling offense. Alderson is expected to strike a deal for a bat (or maybe two) because the Mets have a legitimate shot at the playoffs as they sit just three games behind the Washington Nationals for the NL East lead.
"I believe Mets GM Sandy Alderson's patience will pay off and he'll land a big bat such as Carlos Gomez, Jay Bruce or Justin Upton at the deadline," ESPN Insider Jim Bowden writes.
"I don't see him trading Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Zack Wheeler or Steven Matz, but he has enough in the farm system to make a deal for an impact bat, and I think he'll get something done."
The trades have already begun. The Oakland Athletics traded Scott Kazmir to the Houston Astros earlier today, so it's only a matter of time before Alderson makes his move. Meanwhile, look for Conforto to make his MLB debut as the Mets try to figure out their left field situation.