MLB Trade Deadline 2016: Winners and losers

Loser: New York Mets

The New York Mets had an interesting situation coming into the MLB Trade Deadline. They have struggled mightily with the bats, and are 6.5 games out of first place in the NL East. However, they are 2.5 games out of the second Wild Card spot.

So the Mets went out and acquired Jay Bruce from the Cincinnati Reds. They got a big bat to place in the lineup.

Where’s the fit though?

The Mets already had an abundance of corner outfielders with Yoenis Cespedes, Michael Conforto, and Curtis Granderson. None of them are involved in the Bruce deal, so there are four players who man the same two positions with center field open. Now, one of them will probably slide to the middle of the outfield, possibly Granderson and Conforto. That means time will be split between two left-handed hitters who aren’t suited for the position.

Brandon Nimmo is also sticking around, who can play center field, but probably isn’t starting with this current team.

A line drive hitter could have been used instead of Bruce. The Mets have enough players with low on-base percentages. Someone who can be a table-setter that hits for a high average would have been a better fit.

We’ll see if Bruce can spark the Mets offense like Cespedes did in 2015 and make this a success.

Next: Texas Rangers