MLB Insider Says New York Mets Could Trade These Players

MLB insider Ken Rosenthal says the New York Mets could move these players at the trade deadline.

Earlier in the week, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen said it would be "silly" to add at the trade deadline next month if the team continues to play poorly. 

So, if the Mets keep this trend up and become sellers at the deadline, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic believes they could move the following players.

"The most obvious course for the Mets if they sell would be to move players in the final guaranteed year of contracts — right-hander Carlos Carrasco, outfielders Tommy Pham and Mark Canha, relievers David Robertson and Brooks Raley."

The Mets are currently 36-45 and 17.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League East. They are also nine games out of the last Wild Card spot in the NL.

Selling veterans on expiring deals such as Pham, Carrasco, Canha, Robertson and Raley makes a lot of sense for the Mets. 

What might be trickier, though, is moving ace pitchers Justin Verlander or Max Scherzer, which Rosenthal touched upon.

"Trades of Scherzer and/or Verlander would be far more complex, because of each pitcher’s no-trade protection, Scherzer’s ability to opt out of his $43.3 million salary next season and Verlander’s $35 million conditional player option for 2025. But Cohen’s money makes virtually anything possible."

"With both pitchers, Cohen could pay down present and future salaries as a way of effectively buying talent. Teams with greater payroll flexibility might prefer to take on more money, enabling them to part with lesser players. But Cohen’s largesse theoretically would position even the lowest spenders to play on Scherzer and/or Verlander."

Verlander and Scherzer are both making $43 million this season and are owed the same amount next year. They also have full no trade clauses in their contracts, which means they'd have to waive them to be dealt. This basically allows the pitchers to choose where they get traded. Each hurler has waived their no trade clauses in their careers to be traded in the past.

Verlander and/or Scherzer would likely net the Mets a significant return that would help replenish their farm system. That said, there are several hurdles to cross that might prevent them from being dealt.

In addition to their aces, Rosenthal called it highly unlikely that the Mets would trade star first baseman Pete Alonso. Alonso is under contract through 2024 and the Mets will likely try to work out a long-term extension with him in the future.