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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) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 30: Curtis Granderson #3 of the New York Mets hits a RBI single in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on June 30, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 30: Curtis Granderson #3 of the New York Mets hits a RBI single in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on June 30, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Trade Curtis Granderson, Jerry Blevins and Addison Reed to the Twins

A criticism Mets manager Terry Collins faced often throughout the early part of the season was his failure to secure a full-time role for Michael Conforto in the everyday lineup. A quad injury to Yoenis Cespedes, which cost the All-Star slugger the entire month of May, made it a moot point. And of course, now that Conforto is on the DL himself after taking a fastball to the hand in June, it’s not a present issue, either.

However, looking to the future, Conforto should be a fixture in the outfield at Citi Field, and Curtis Granderson should not. Granderson, after all, is a 36-year-old in the final year of his contract. He has also yet to win a World Series ring despite making the postseason with three clubs over the course of a 14-year career.

Therefore, why not find a place for Granderson to chase that elusive World Championship? The Twins may not be favorites, but at 41-40 and one game out in the AL Wild Card race after a surprising start to the season, Minnesota is in a better position than the Mets. And, Granderson still has enough pop in his bat to contribute to a contender, having connected for 12 home runs in 77 games this year while hitting .234/.331/.468.

Also, in order to make a run, Minnesota desperately needs to improve its pitching staff, which ranks No. 27 in the majors in staff ERA (4.88) and bullpen ERA (4.93). As luck would have it, New York has a couple of relievers available: Addison Reed and Jerry Blevins. Reed has a 2.59 ERA and 14 saves in 40 appearances, and has recorded 42 strikeouts in 41.2 innings. Blevins, the lefty, has a 2.60 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 27.2 innings.

If the Twins were to spring for all three, it could bring a hefty return. A couple of possible targets would surely include talented pitchers Kohl Stewart and Lewis Thorpe, both former top prospects that have slipped somewhat in the eyes of scouts, or Double-A right-handers Fernando Romero and Felix Jorge, among others.

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