At the MLB trade deadline, normally when you want something of value, you have to give up something of value in order to get it. This year, the New York Mets don’t appear to grasp that concept.

The offensively deficient squad is in desperate need of an outfielder and is actively looking for one to acquire at the trade deadline, especially now that Michael Cuddyer could be shut down for the season. The only problem? New York isn’t willing to give up outfield prospect Michael Conforto or shortstop prospect Amed Rosario in any potential deal.

This is the equivalent of going to a car dealership and trying to pay with Monopoly money; it’s just not going to work. One of those two is going to have to be included in a deal if the team hopes to land an outfielder of the caliber they’re interested in.

These outfielders include Justin Upton, Jay Bruce, Carlos Gomez and Gerardo Parra. That list could also soon include Yoenis Cespedes, who has been placed on the trading block.

Aside from their top prospects, the Mets seem unwilling to take on big salaries (they’re unwilling to pay the remaining $3 million of Ben Zobrist‘s contract if they acquired him) or shell out prospects in order to land middle-of-the-order bats. That’s simply not how things work in July.

A team will have a need. The team will address that need on the trade market while probably slightly overpaying in order to do so. That’s just how business is done at the trade deadline.

If the Mets don’t want to go after some of the biggest names on the trade market this season, that’s fine. But if they’re going to continue to seriously inquire about some of the top outfielders that are available, they need to start getting realistic.

After all, you have to give something to get it.