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MLB Trade Rumors: 5 Mets players that will be in most demand

By Joshua Sadlock

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 08: Pitcher Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets looks in for a sign during an interleague MLB baseball game against the New York Yankees on June 8, 2018 at Citi Field in the Queens borough of New York City. Yankees won 4-1. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 08: Pitcher Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets looks in for a sign during an interleague MLB baseball game against the New York Yankees on June 8, 2018 at Citi Field in the Queens borough of New York City. Yankees won 4-1. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) /
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The floundering New York Mets are ready to talk trade, and these five players will draw the most interest.

It was fun while it lasted, but 2018 has quickly turned into a lost year for the New York Mets. They are just 19-36 since their 12-2 start and are 4-11 in June despite currently riding a three-game winning streak into play on Tuesday. With the trade deadline looming and the team in a death spiral, that could make the Mets one of the most interesting teams to watch. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, New York is willing to listen to trade offers for just about everyone on their roster, including aces Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard.

The Mets sold off at the deadline last year, but to a lesser degree. They traded away Jay Bruce, Lucas Duda, Neil Walker and Addison Reed, but for only minor returns. It was still the team’s intention to contend in 2018, assuming everyone got healthy. That has not been the case, and the offense has failed to support a strong starting rotation.

With the writing on the wall, and the rest of the NL East on an upswing, the Mets have realized now is the time to get out ahead of their rebuild and try and bring back maximum value for their best trade chips. If the Mets do decide to go into a full-on firesale, these five players will draw the most interest from the rest of the league.

5. Anthony Swarzak

Right-handed reliever Anthony Swarzak has been in the big leagues since the age of 23, but it took him until last season to break out. After bouncing around for parts of eight seasons with three different teams, he finished his age-31 season with a 2.33 ERA in 77.1 innings of work and struck out 10.6 per nine. For his efforts, Swarzak was rewarded with a two-year, $14-million contract with the Mets.

An improved slider has been the key for Swarzak, who is striking out 13.5 per nine in limited work so far this year. He has missed some time with an oblique strain, but the injury should not have lasting effects. With strikeouts being the most valuable currency for middle relievers, Swarzak offers the Mets solid, if unspectacular, trade value. Barring a health setback heading into July, the Mets will be able to get a prospect or two for the 32-year-old reliever.

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