The New York Mets continue to struggle on offense. They scored a total of seven runs in 36 innings over the weekend and now it's possible outfielder Michael Cuddyer goes on the disabled list. General manager Sandy Alderson seems to be inching toward making big moves before the trade deadline.
Cuddyer's potential DL stint, coupled with the uncertain return of third baseman David Wright, has trade rumors swirling about what the Mets might do before July 31. The Mets are going to try "one last treatment" on Cuddyer's ailing knee, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com, and Wright still has yet to gain clearance to begin baseball activities.
Both of these factors affect their infield and outfield depth along with the middle of their lineup. During a season where they've shown their ability to contend, the team will need an offensive boost to keep the Washington Nationals in sight.
"If he doesn't come back this season, or is not the Wright of old when he does, the Mets will be thinking along the lines of possibly acquiring two bats, one at shortstop," writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. "The Mets are hoping that Michael Cuddyer starts hitting, there's a feeling in the organization that they will pull the trigger on at least one bat, and that Jonathan Niese will be the vehicle to add a hitter."
Well, Cuddyer hasn't been hitting and the latest news suggests he might not be hitting at all. Additionally, Niese has been pitching well as of late and it seems as if the Mets are backing off their original willingness to move him (which previous trade rumors indicated).
"With Steven Matz on the disabled list at least into mid-August because of a torn lat muscle, the club isn't eager to deal Niese before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, according to an industry source, and they may hinge hopes on acquiring an additional bat on prospects at Double-A Binghamton who can be dealt," writes Mike Puma of the New York Post.
Those Double-A prospects could interest the Milwaukee Brewers, who are willing to trade outfielder Carlos Gomez and shortstop Jean Segura - two players the Mets are interested in and would have much use for.
"The Brewers are willing to trade not only star center fielder Carlos Gomez but even young shortstop Jean Segura, according to one person familiar with their thinking, who suggested it's somewhat likely they move both players," Jon Heyman of CBS Sports wrote last week. "Gomez's possible move is born of pragmatism, as the person mentioned how there's no way the Brewers would be able to afford to keep Gomez long-term considering Jacoby Ellsbury's $153-million deal (Gomez is a free agent after 2016). The source also suspected Segura could easily be traded due to the extraordinary rise of shortstop prospect Orlando Arcia, who is beloved by just about all of baseball, the Brewers included."
Segura has been linked to the Mets in past trade rumors (Cafardo weighed in on the shortstop on Sunday) and Heyman noted Gomez is now on their radar. However, the acquisition cost for both of these players would not be cheap. Segura would fill a big void for the Mets at shortstop and the 25-year-old is under club control through 2018 at a bargain rate. As for Gomez, he's signed for $8 million in 2015 and $9 million in 2016. He was one of the best outfielders in the MLB in 2013 and 2014, but has been held back in his ability this season due to a wrist injury as well as the Brewers' overall poor play. However, he'd still be an upgrade in the Mets' outfield, where Cuddyer, Juan Lagares and Curtis Granderson have combined for 26 home runs and 85 RBIs.
New York is not interested in trading from their young pitching core at the MLB level, but perhaps their prospects would interest the Brewers, who could use some improvements in their farm system.
All signs point to these two clubs matching up in a trade based on their needs, it just depends how far Alderson is willing to go. New York is two games behind the Nationals in the NL East and two games behind the Chicago Cubs for the second wild-card spot, which shows even a faint boost of offense could propel them in the standings.
The Mets could be a dangerous team to face in a short postseason series and Alderson is likely aware of that has he continues to scour the market for the right trade.
