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MLB Trade Deadline: Buyers’ Untouchable Prospects

By Kyle Franzoni

Jul 5, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz (32) throws the ball in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 5, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz (32) throws the ball in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 7, 2015; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets Michael Conforto (39) drives in a run against the Atlanta Braves during the spring training baseball game at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2015; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets Michael Conforto (39) drives in a run against the Atlanta Braves during the spring training baseball game at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Mets

Needs: Outfield, shortstop

Targets: Carlos Gomez, Jean Segura, Jay Bruce, Ben Zobrist, Gerardo Parra, Justin Upton

With the Mets in second place in the National League East and having one of the best rotations in baseball, there are many around baseball that feel that New York could make a big play at the trade deadline. The Mets badly need to add to an offense that has struggled to produce behind its pitching staff and ranks last in nearly every category.

Then again, there is also a large contingent that is familiar with the Mets and how they operate. That group feels that the Mets won’t make a move because they won’t be willing to part with the prospects needed and don’t want to take on the necessary salary to make a deal work. In terms of the prospects side of things, there would only be three real untouchables in the Mets organization; Steven Matz, Michael Conforto, and Amed Rosario.

In Matz, the Mets already have an arm that figures to be a big part of their rotation moving forward. He was dominant in his first two Major League starts, surrendering just two earned runs over 13.2 innings while striking out 14. He was equally as impressive in the thin air of Triple-A Las Vegas, posting a 2.19 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP, and a 1.73 GO/AO ratio through 90.1 innings of work. The lefty is in New York for good now, although a muscle injury currently has him sidelined.

Conforto is one of the best outfield bats in the game and the Mets are already discussing bringing him to the big leagues this season if they are unable to find a suitable upgrade on the trade market. Now at Double-A, Conforto has authored a batting line of .299/.374/.489 with 12 home runs and 53 RBI. The 10th overall pick of the 2014 draft, Conforto has quickly jumped in the prospect ranks and perhaps has unseated Brandon Nimmo from the top of the team’s outfield depth charts.

Rosario is a bit of a different case. MLB.com has him ranked #4 on the team’s prospect charts, but with the team having struggled to produce a solid shortstop in recent seasons, he has become a valuable asset. Still just 19-years-old, Rosario is a mature fielder at a premium position with a bat that is growing as his strength increases. In 83 games at High-A St. Lucie, Rosario is hitting .263/.306/.348 with 17 doubles and five triples. His availability may change if the Mets are able to acquire a solid shortstop option, with Jean Segura of the Brewers being their top target.

New York still has other options to pursue. They have talked Rafael Montero with the Oakland Athletics in a potential Ben Zobrist deal and the Mets have also floated shortstop Gavin Cecchini and could possibly be willing part with outfielder Brandon Nimmo, but they’d have to be overwhelmed for the latter.

Next: 5 teams that could shape the MLB Trade Deadline

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