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MLB Trade Rumors: 5 potential fits for Jose Abreu

By Joshua Sadlock

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox grounds out in the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 12, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox grounds out in the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 12, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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ST. LOUIS, MO – APRIL 26: Adrian Gonzalez #23 of the New York Mets during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on April 26, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael Thomas/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Adrian Gonzalez
ST. LOUIS, MO – APRIL 26: Adrian Gonzalez #23 of the New York Mets during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on April 26, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael Thomas/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Adrian Gonzalez /

2. New York Mets

The 12-2 start to the season for the New York Mets has mostly gone up in smoke, but they are still very much in the hunt for a playoff spot in the National League. The Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves have blown past them, but both young teams will likely have to work through at least one extended slump. The Washington Nationals also look beatable.

Having a healthy Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard at the top of a rotation essentially guarantees that the Mets will not fall below .500, which is good enough to stay in the hunt for the second Wild Card. deGrom has been the best pitcher in the National League outside of three-time Cy Young Max Scherzer, while Syndergaard has allowed a total of six earned runs in the three starts of his that the Mets managed to lose.

The Mets were understandably criticized for making the aging Adrian Gonzalez their answer at first base to start the year. For his part, Gonzalez has not been terrible, and is actually exceeding most reasonable expectations. He is a 36-year-old who played in only 71 games last year while slugging .355.

With the Braves and Phillies bursting at the seams with young talent, this may be the final year for the Mets to legitimately contend in this window. If ever there was a time to go all in on a season, it would be now. deGrom and Syndergaard are healthy and have what it takes as a one-two punch to elevate a mostly mediocre team to playoff success.

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