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MLB Trade Rumors: 5 trades the Mets can make to (maybe) fix their season

By Baasil Ebrahim

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 17: Chris Archer (22) of the Rays delivers a pitch to the plate during the major league baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Los Angeles Angels on May 17, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 17: Chris Archer (22) of the Rays delivers a pitch to the plate during the major league baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Los Angeles Angels on May 17, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 10: Zach Britton #53 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Cleveland Indians in the eighth inning at Progressive Field on September 10, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Orioles 3-2, (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 10: Zach Britton #53 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Cleveland Indians in the eighth inning at Progressive Field on September 10, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Orioles 3-2, (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /

4. Zach Britton

Britton is expected to come back to the Orioles in June, and it is highly unlikely Sandy Alderson makes a trade before then. Right now, there is solid interest in him from the Astros and the Mets should join the race. So far, their best relievers have been Seth Lugo, Robert Gsellman, and Paul Sewald. No offense to those three, who have been very good this year, but they aren’t ideal.

Britton however, brings a skilled left-handed arm which the Mets need. The Mets only lefty in the bullpen is Jerry Blevins, who is often tasked with getting one big out. However, Blevins has struggled this year. His effective curveball is not getting the job done. Britton’s acquisition would immediately take pressure from him to get all the lefties.

In 2016, Britton was good enough to finish fourth in the Cy Young voting as a reliever, and despite not being elite last year, he was still a very strong reliever. His closing experience would be welcome by Mickey Callaway. Callaway has said he wants to use his bullpen non-traditionally. So, he would be able to use Britton to close if three tough righties come up earlier and he wants to use Jeurys Familia then.

Britton is in the last year of his contract and coming off and injury, making him more affordable. Provided a bidding war with the Astros doesn’t get too extreme, he would likely cost Jacob Rhame and Thomas Szapucki. This trade would be well worth the risk with the NL East up for grabs.

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