5 Players New York Mets Should Target Before 2015 MLB Trade Deadline

5 Players New York Mets Should Target Before 2015 MLB Trade Deadline

By Bryan Zarpentine

July 2, 2015

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5 Players New York Mets Should Target Before 2015 MLB Trade Deadline

Sandy — For the first time in many years, the New York Mets look like they’ll be buyers at the MLB trade deadline in 2015. Pitching isn’t an issue for the Mets, but with an anemic offense and some key injuries, there’s no doubt that New York is in the market for some offensive firepower. Here are five players the Mets should be targeting at the trade deadline.

For the first time in many years, the New York Mets look like they’ll be buyers at the MLB trade deadline in 2015. Pitching isn’t an issue for the Mets, but with an anemic offense and some key injuries, there’s no doubt that New York is in the market for some offensive firepower. Here are five players the Mets should be targeting at the trade deadline.

5. Starlin Castro

Starlin Castro Cubs

5. Starlin Castro

Starlin Castro Cubs — We've been hearing for the past year that the Mets and Cubs are perfect trade partners, and they both may need help before the deadline to make the playoffs. Trading for Castro will likely cost the Mets Noah Syndergaard, but it would also solve their vacancy at shortstop for the rest of the season and for years to come, while giving their offense a much-needed upgrade.

We've been hearing for the past year that the Mets and Cubs are perfect trade partners, and they both may need help before the deadline to make the playoffs. Trading for Castro will likely cost the Mets Noah Syndergaard, but it would also solve their vacancy at shortstop for the rest of the season and for years to come, while giving their offense a much-needed upgrade.

4. Ben Zobrist

Ben Zobrist New York Mets

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4. Ben Zobrist

Ben Zobrist New York Mets — Zobrist is an obvious trade target for the Mets. He's a veteran with a lot of ancillary skills that make up for modest production numbers. He also brings a great deal of defensive versatility to a team that has a number of injury concerns. Zobrist probably doesn't solve the Mets' offensive issues, but he would help without New York having to give up one of its young pitchers.

Zobrist is an obvious trade target for the Mets. He's a veteran with a lot of ancillary skills that make up for modest production numbers. He also brings a great deal of defensive versatility to a team that has a number of injury concerns. Zobrist probably doesn't solve the Mets' offensive issues, but he would help without New York having to give up one of its young pitchers.

3. Gerardo Parra

St. Louis Cardinals v Milwaukee Brewers

3. Gerardo Parra

St. Louis Cardinals v Milwaukee Brewers — Parra will be a free agent after the season, so the Brewers should be willing to part with him. Aside from providing protection against an injury to Juan Lagares, who has a nagging issue with his elbow, Parra would be an upgrade both defensively and offensively over the Mets' current corner outfielders. Michael Cuddyer and Curtis Granderson could platoon in left field, with Parra and his line of .298/.329/.450 taking over in right field.

Parra will be a free agent after the season, so the Brewers should be willing to part with him. Aside from providing protection against an injury to Juan Lagares, who has a nagging issue with his elbow, Parra would be an upgrade both defensively and offensively over the Mets' current corner outfielders. Michael Cuddyer and Curtis Granderson could platoon in left field, with Parra and his line of .298/.329/.450 taking over in right field.

2. Alex Guerrero

Alex Guerrero Mets

2. Alex Guerrero

Alex Guerrero Mets — Guerrero would be a nice fit for the Mets, as he could play third base until David Wright returns if New York wants to move Daniel Murphy back to second base. He could also play left field, moving Michael Cuddyer into a part-time role. Guerrero doesn't have the patience the Mets like in hitters, but he does have 10 home runs this year, so he could provide some much-needed pop in the lineup.

Guerrero would be a nice fit for the Mets, as he could play third base until David Wright returns if New York wants to move Daniel Murphy back to second base. He could also play left field, moving Michael Cuddyer into a part-time role. Guerrero doesn't have the patience the Mets like in hitters, but he does have 10 home runs this year, so he could provide some much-needed pop in the lineup.

1. Justin Upton

San Diego Padres

1. Justin Upton

San Diego Padres — Upton would be a rather expensive rental player, but he would be an absolute game changer if the Padres become sellers at the deadline and the Mets can make a trade happen. With 14 home runs and 15 stolen bases this season, Upton would give the Mets both power and speed and give the middle of their lineup an immediate upgrade. He would go a long way towards solving the team's profound offensive issues.

Upton would be a rather expensive rental player, but he would be an absolute game changer if the Padres become sellers at the deadline and the Mets can make a trade happen. With 14 home runs and 15 stolen bases this season, Upton would give the Mets both power and speed and give the middle of their lineup an immediate upgrade. He would go a long way towards solving the team's profound offensive issues.

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