Fansided

MLB Trade Deadline: 5 trades Mets should make

By Nicholas Ian Allen

MILWAUKEE, WI - MAY 12: Matt Harvey #33 of the New York Mets pitches in the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on May 12, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - MAY 12: Matt Harvey #33 of the New York Mets pitches in the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on May 12, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 01: Lucas Duda #21 of the New York Mets follows through on a fourth inning home run against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on July 1, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 01: Lucas Duda #21 of the New York Mets follows through on a fourth inning home run against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on July 1, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Trade Lucas Duda to the Yankees

If the Mets want to free a spot for Dominic Smith this summer, trading Lucas Duda makes the most sense. And, as a left-handed hitter with power, Duda is valuable enough to bring back a mid-level prospect or two.

Duda is hitting .253/.363/.563 with 14 home runs and 30 RBI in 57 games. The 31-year-old spent time on the DL in April and May with a hyperextended elbow, but returned red-hot at the plate and hit .357/.410/.768 with six home runs and 15 RBI in 14 games from May 23-June 6, proving he’s capable of carrying a lineup when healthy.

The Yankees make an ideal trade partner. Duda would probably like the move across town as well. He wouldn’t even need a new apartment.

Only the Angels have gotten less production from their first basemen this season than the Yankees, who have a combined -1.0 Wins Above Replacement at the position this year, according to FanGraphs. Yankees first basemen have hit a combined .177 (the worst batting average in baseball at the position), with a .271 on-base percentage and .339 slugging percentage and .268 wOBA. Only the Mariners (9) first basemen have hit fewer home runs.

Duda would help solidify the Yankee lineup for a stretch run, and with Duda scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the season, the timing is right for the Mets to flip him if he brings some value in return.

Also, with the Yankees farm system at its most talented in years, there are plenty of prospects to choose from. Sweet-swinging outfielder Dustin Fowler, and flamethrowing right-hander Domingo Acevedo would make a fine package for Duda.

Home/MLB Trade Rumors