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MLB trade rumors: 5 players New York Mets should deal

By Brad Berreman

Apr 19, 2017; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets right fielder Jay Bruce (19) walks to the dugout after his second home run of the night against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets right fielder Jay Bruce (19) walks to the dugout after his second home run of the night against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Mets have shown signs of life lately, but as May gets going here are five players they should trade.

The New York Mets had high expectations entering this season, but 10 losses in 11 games through a stretch in April dropped their record to 8-13. The prospect of sweeping the division-leading Washington Nationals this past weekend took a turn on Sunday, with Noah Syndergaard leaving early with an injury and the Mets losing the game 23-5.

Syndergaard is facing an extended absence with a torn right lat muscle, and he now joins a list of injured Mets. Outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (hamstring), starting pitcher Steven Matz (elbow), first baseman Lucas Duda (elbow) and infielder Wilmer Flores (joint infection) are all out right now, and of course third baseman David Wright (shoulder) has yet to play this season.

The Mets are already six games behind Washington in the NL East, so a move into sell-mode could start now. With that in mind, here are five players general manager Sandy Alderson should be looking to move.

5. Juan Lagares

Lagares was the Mets’ primary center fielder in 2014 and 2015, starting a total of 211 games, and he won a Gold Glove in 2014. But a left thumb injury sidelined him for a big chunk of last season, and he has become a fourth outfielder with just five starts in 15 games played so far this year.

Lagares does not offer much offensively, with a .257/.297/.363 career slash-line entering Tuesday’s action. But he does bring value as a defensive player, as reflected by a top-30 ranking in defensive WAR among active players, and that alone could bring trade interest.

Lagares is under contract for at least two more full seasons after this one, with salaries of $6.5 million in 2018, $9 million in 2019 and a $9.5 million option for 2020 ($500,000 buyout). That may be a road block to a trade, but if the Mets are willing to eat some money it’s pretty clear they have no use for Lagares.

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