2016 MLB Trade Deadline: 5 biggest losers
By John Buhler
The New York Mets are still in viable position to fight for another postseason berth in the second half. At 54-51 through their first 105 games, the Mets find themselves in third place in the National League East, only 7.5 games back of the first-place Washington Nationals, and only 2.5 games back of their division rival Miami Marlins for the second National League Wild Card spot.
New York did make a blockbuster trade on August 1st by landing Cincinnati Reds slugger outfielder Jay Bruce for interesting young outfielder Brandon Nimmo. Bruce is in a way viewed as the bat New York needs to charge up the National League standings, much like what the Mets got in Yoenis Cespedes last season.
Though New York could conceivably put it all together in the final two months of the 2016 MLB regular season, there is clearly something missing with this year’s club over last year’s team that won the National League pennant. Bruce is a great player, but is he the right fit in spacious Citi Field?
Bruce has never hit for a high average, and has been the beneficiary of playing in a ridiculously hitter-friendly stadium in the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. Nimmo may not be anything more than a fringe starter in the outfield, but tabbing Bruce as the Mets’ offensive savior the rest of the way is a bit of a stretch.
Next: 3. Chicago White Sox