5 Outfielders New York Mets Should Target at the 2015 MLB Trade Deadline

5 Outfielders New York Mets Should Target at the 2015 MLB Trade Deadline

By Bryan Zarpentine

July 17, 2015

5 Outfielders New York Mets Should Target at the 2015 MLB Trade Deadline

Los Angeles Dodgers v San Diego Padres — Despite all the concern over David Wright’s health and the questions at shortstop, the New York Mets may be better off upgrading their outfield as a way to improve their offense. Short of promoting top prospect Michael Conforto, the Mets need to look outside the organization for outfield help. Here are five outfielders the Mets should target in a trade at the 2015 MLB trade deadline.

Despite all the concern over David Wright’s health and the questions at shortstop, the New York Mets may be better off upgrading their outfield as a way to improve their offense. Short of promoting top prospect Michael Conforto, the Mets need to look outside the organization for outfield help. Here are five outfielders the Mets should target in a trade at the 2015 MLB trade deadline.

5. Marlon Byrd

Marlon Byrd

5. Marlon Byrd

Marlon Byrd — The Mets are familiar with Byrd from his time in New York in 2013 and bringing him back would give the outfield a boost. One drawback is an $ 8 million vesting option for next year that could kick in if Byrd plays every day the rest of the season, but he would be an upgrade over what Michael Cuddyer is giving the Mets right now. The Reds would likely part with Byrd without asking for an elite prospect in return.

The Mets are familiar with Byrd from his time in New York in 2013 and bringing him back would give the outfield a boost. One drawback is an $ 8 million vesting option for next year that could kick in if Byrd plays every day the rest of the season, but he would be an upgrade over what Michael Cuddyer is giving the Mets right now. The Reds would likely part with Byrd without asking for an elite prospect in return.

4. Will Venable

Will Venable

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4. Will Venable

Will Venable — Venable would be a modest upgrade to the Mets' outfield, but he's an affordable option who would make a meaningful difference. With Juan Lagares battling an elbow injury and not exactly lighting it up offensively, Venable could could split time in center field and also see a fair amount of time in left field in place of Cuddyer. Venable wouldn't make a huge splash, but he would provide a boost to an outfield in need.

Venable would be a modest upgrade to the Mets' outfield, but he's an affordable option who would make a meaningful difference. With Juan Lagares battling an elbow injury and not exactly lighting it up offensively, Venable could could split time in center field and also see a fair amount of time in left field in place of Cuddyer. Venable wouldn't make a huge splash, but he would provide a boost to an outfield in need.

3. Gerardo Parra

Milwaukee Brewers

3. Gerardo Parra

Milwaukee Brewers — Parra would be a more significant upgrade to the Mets' outfield than the previous two players. He has an .841 OPS, which is a massive upgrade over the other Mets' outfielders. He could be the everyday right fielder, providing a boost both offensively and defensively, allowing Cuddyer to platoon in left field with Curtis Granderson. Milwaukee should be eager to trade Parra, who will be a free agent, making him a realistic option for the Mets.

Parra would be a more significant upgrade to the Mets' outfield than the previous two players. He has an .841 OPS, which is a massive upgrade over the other Mets' outfielders. He could be the everyday right fielder, providing a boost both offensively and defensively, allowing Cuddyer to platoon in left field with Curtis Granderson. Milwaukee should be eager to trade Parra, who will be a free agent, making him a realistic option for the Mets.

2. Josh Reddick

Right fielder Josh Reddick Oakland Athletics

2. Josh Reddick

Right fielder Josh Reddick Oakland Athletics — If the Athletics turn into sellers, Reddick should definitely be on the Mets' radar. He's another player that New York can plug into right field to become a run producer in the middle of the lineup and an upgrade defensively. He'll be a little more expensive than Parra, as Reddick is under contract next year and Oakland will want players who major-league ready, but Reddick will provide the kind of help the Mets' outfield needs.

If the Athletics turn into sellers, Reddick should definitely be on the Mets' radar. He's another player that New York can plug into right field to become a run producer in the middle of the lineup and an upgrade defensively. He'll be a little more expensive than Parra, as Reddick is under contract next year and Oakland will want players who major-league ready, but Reddick will provide the kind of help the Mets' outfield needs.

1. Justin Upton

Justin Upton

1. Justin Upton

Justin Upton — This is obviously a dream scenario for the Mets and unlikely to happen, although there are rumors that San Diego has been scouting New York's farm system. Unless the Mets give up Conforto or one of their young stud pitchers, trading for Upton will cost them several top prospects. However, trading for Upton along with the return of Travis d'Arnaud could make the Mets a completely different team after the trade deadline.

This is obviously a dream scenario for the Mets and unlikely to happen, although there are rumors that San Diego has been scouting New York's farm system. Unless the Mets give up Conforto or one of their young stud pitchers, trading for Upton will cost them several top prospects. However, trading for Upton along with the return of Travis d'Arnaud could make the Mets a completely different team after the trade deadline.

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New York Mets

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