5 Moves New York Mets Should Make Before MLB Trade Deadline

New York Mets: 5 Moves Mets Should Make Before the MLB Trade Deadline

The New York Mets are headed for another lost season of baseball. Currently, the Mets are in fourth place in the NL East, where they’ve finished each of the last four seasons and are likely to remain. The hapless Miami Marlins are the only reason the Mets are able to avoid the ignominy of last place.

After a recent six-game losing streak, it’s clear as day that Terry Collins’ club lacks the talent and tools to compete with the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves throughout the summer.

The numbers aren’t pretty. The Mets are hitting just .230 as a team, the third-worst mark in MLB. New York’s .216 batting average at home is tied for the worst in baseball with the Marlins. It’s hard to imagine where the Mets would be if not for David Wright and Daniel Murphy.

The pitching hasn’t been much better — save for young ace Matt Harvey. Mets’ starters, besides Harvey, are just 5-16 with an ERA approaching 6.0. The bullpen has compiled a 4.78 ERA, second-worst in MLB. Even with Harvey, the Mets ERA is 4.43 as a team, fifth-worst in the league.

However, the future isn’t all bleak in Queens. Matt Harvey has been a bright spot and could start the All Star Game at Citi Field in July. Top prospects Zack Wheeler and Travis d’Arnaud give the Mets hope for 2014. Also, the contracts of Jason Bay and Johan Santana come off the books at the end of the season, which gives general manager Sandy Alderson some badly-needed payroll flexibility.

It’s not even Memorial Day, but the Mets are playing for 2014. Here are five moves the Mets should make before the trade deadline.

Demote Ike Davis

The Mets should demote Ike Davis to the minor leagues. Through 38 games, Davis is hitting a miserable .160/.245/.267 with just four home runs and nine RBIs. These are hardly the numbers of a cleanup hitter, let alone a franchise first baseman. New York should demote Davis and give Lucas Duda the chance to see what he can do at first base.

Trade John Buck

Trading John Buck is a no-brainer. Buck has cooled off from his scorching hot start, but the nine-year vet still has 10 home runs and 31 RBIs to lead all MLB catchers in both categories. With Travis d’Arnaud lined up as New York’s catcher of the future, the Mets need to capitalize on Buck’s start and trade him to a team in need of a power bat.

Promote Zack Wheeler

New York is holding their top-pitching prospect in Triple-A Las Vegas in order to keep him under organizational control through 2017. The Mets should call up Zack Wheeler as soon as possible — estimates are around mid-June — to let him get his feet wet before entering the rotation full-time in 2014. This will allow GM Sandy Alderson to determine which starting pitcher to go after in free agency.

Trade Bobby Parnell

There’s nothing more useless than a closer on a bad team. Bobby Parnell has just four saves through 38 games, but has impressed with a 0.98 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in 18.1 innings pitched. There’ll be plenty of contenders looking for a fireballer out of the bullpen come July. The Mets should deal Parnell and continue to stock the farm system.

Sign Grady Sizemore

The New York Mets are in desperate need of a franchise center fielder. Coming off micro-fracture surgery in September, Grady Sizemore presents a cost-effective option for the Mets entering 2014. The 30-year-old made $5 million in 2012 with the Cleveland Indians, but can expect to make less than that given the seriousness of his injury. Even with the addition of Rick Ankiel, the Mets should take a chance that Sizemore can revive his career in New York.