The New York Mets have been on fire in June, winning 15 of their last 21 games and now just one game behind the final Wild Card spot in the National League.
Initially seen as potential sellers by late May, the Mets now appear poised to make moves to strengthen their roster for the playoff push as the trade deadline approaches.
MLB insider and former GM Jim Bowden from The Athletic suggests that the Mets should consider trading top prospect catcher Kevin Parada to the Detroit Tigers for right-handed starting pitcher Jack Flaherty.
Bowden argues that Flaherty’s addition would significantly boost the Mets’ playoff chances and enhance their starting rotation. Flaherty, 28, is having a strong season with the Tigers, boasting a 5-4 record, a 2.92 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP, and 108 strikeouts over 14 starts (83.1 innings).
Although the Mets are back in the playoff race, they are still open to trading veteran pitchers on expiring contracts, such as Luis Severino, Sean Manaea, and Jose Quintana. This strategy is influenced by the expected return of ace Kodai Senga from the IL after the All-Star break and the anticipated call-up of promising right-hander Christian Scott.
While the Mets aim for the postseason, they are unlikely to trade major prospects at the deadline. However, Parada could be an exception. Drafted in the first round in 2022 out of Georgia Tech, Parada is seen as expendable because Francisco Alvarez is considered the Mets’ catcher of the future. Interestingly, Parada is three months older than Alvarez but is still in Double-A Binghamton, where he has struggled this season with a .209 average, a .653 OPS, and seven home runs in 54 games.
Parada has potential, and with Alvarez blocking him at the major league level, he might switch positions. This potential is why the Mets might hesitate to trade him for a rental like Flaherty, despite the immediate benefits.
If the Mets remain in contention for a Wild Card spot, expect them to make minor moves at the deadline but don’t anticipate President of Baseball Operations David Stearns trading future assets for short-term gains.
