Rays Slugger Reportedly Available; Mets Are Logical Trade Partners

New York could add depth to their lineup

The New York Mets' offseason agenda has been stacked with issues after a fourth-place National League East finish last season.

The club has made strides to address their main issue -- retooling the rotation -- by signing left-hander Sean Manaea and right-hander Luis Severino and trading for right-hander Adrian Houser.

With the club still looking to trade for more starting pitching, other areas of concern mustn't be forgotten about.

The lackluster offense of the Mets could benefit from signing an affordable hitter who is reportedly on the market to be traded.

"The (Tampa Bay) Rays, according to sources, also have been shopping designated hitter Harold Ramírez, whose OPS-plus the past two seasons is 21 percent above league average," The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal wrote Monday. "MLB Trade Rumors projects Ramírez to earn $4.4 million in arbitration next season. Trading him would create even more at-bats for (Jonathan) Aranda and another 25-and-under hitter, Curtis Mead."

Ramírez hit .313 with 33 extra-base hits including 12 home runs, 68 RBIs, and a .813 OPS in 122 games for the Rays last season and put up similar stats the year prior.

The Mets scored 717 runs last season -- ranking No. 20 in the league -- and could benefit from adding Ramírez to the lineup. His impressively low 17.8% strikeout rate and ability to consistently get on base would be an asset for New York. 

The 29-year-old has two more seasons of team control and will likely be traded now that the Rays are shopping him.

The Rays could trade Ramírez to New York in exchange for expendable talents, prospect capital and could even include cash as the Mets have plenty of it. The cost of trading for the Tampa Bay slugger would be next to nothing for the big-market club.

Will the Mets make a move to bolster their lineup by trading for Ramírez?

More MLB: Ex-Yankees Flamethrower Linked To Mets In Free Agency To Help Fix Bullpen