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MLB Trade Deadline 2019: 5 players the Mets should trade

By Joshua Sadlock

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 27: Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 27, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 6-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 27: Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 27, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 6-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 26: Seth Lugo #67 of the New York Mets reacts after giving up a two-run single to Jean Segura #2 of the Philadelphia Phillies during the seventh inning of a baseball game at Citizens Bank Park on June 26, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Mets 5-4. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 26: Seth Lugo #67 of the New York Mets reacts after giving up a two-run single to Jean Segura #2 of the Philadelphia Phillies during the seventh inning of a baseball game at Citizens Bank Park on June 26, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Mets 5-4. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

4. Seth Lugo

As previously mentioned, the Mets would be foolish to attempt to trade Noah Syndergaard this season as his trade value is depressed by his inconsistent performance this season. Among the remaining young pitchers who were supposed to form the backbone of a star-studded rotation, Steven Matz and Robert Gsellman continue to struggle. Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom are really the only two out of all the Mets hotshot pitching prospects to reach their potential.

Right-hander Seth Lugo came on unexpectedly strong for the Mets down the stretch in 2016, making eight starts and finishing the year 5-2 with a 2.67 ERA in 64 innings. New York won seven of his eight starts, and he allowed two runs or fewer in six outings. The strong debut earned the former 34th-round pick a longer look in the rotation in 2017, but he could only manage a 4.71 ERA in just over 100 innings and allowed 10.1 hits per-nine.

Lugo made a permanent move to the bullpen last season, and found success in his new role. He finished 2018 with a 2.66 ERA in 54 appearances and continues to excel out of the bullpen this season. The 29-year-old is 4-2 with a 3.09 ERA in 46.2 innings with 63 strikeouts. He has been riding a dominant fastball-curveball combination to pile up the strikeouts, as shifting to relief has allowed him to unlock nearly three miles per hour in increased fastball velocity.

For the Mets, Lugo represents their best chance to generate any trade value from their bullpen assets. He will be 30 next season, but offers a team two more years of club control. Lugo has established himself as a quality multi-inning relief option, and the Mets should cash in now if they are going to attempt to reboot for another run of contention without fully tearing it down.

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