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MLB Trade Deadline 2019: Top 10 relievers who could be dealt

By Joshua Sadlock

DENVER, CO - JULY 14: Raisel Iglesias #26 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches against the Colorado Rockies during a game at Coors Field on July 14, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JULY 14: Raisel Iglesias #26 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches against the Colorado Rockies during a game at Coors Field on July 14, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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FLUSHING, NY – JULY 25: Seth Lugo #67 of the New York Mets pitches during the game between the San Diego Padres and the New York Mets at Citi Field on Thursday, July 25, 2019 in Flushing, New York. (Photo by Lizzy Barrett/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
FLUSHING, NY – JULY 25: Seth Lugo #67 of the New York Mets pitches during the game between the San Diego Padres and the New York Mets at Citi Field on Thursday, July 25, 2019 in Flushing, New York. (Photo by Lizzy Barrett/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

9. Seth Lugo

With their bold trade for Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman that seemingly came out of nowhere, it’s anyone’s best guess how the New York Mets plan to attack the remaining days before the 2019 trade deadline. The Mets continue to shop starters Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler and closer Edwin Diaz. They also might keep Wheeler and extend him, trade Syndergaard or just run the whole flawed roster back entirely next season and hope for a repeat of 2015 where the starting rotation stayed healthy enough to catch lightning in a bottle.

It’s the Mets — so just shrug and move on.

The Mets probably won’t trade Syndergaard because his value is down. Wheeler is coming off a shoulder injury and Diaz is struggling. The Mets also gave up two huge prospects to get the closer and took on $100 million in Robinson Cano’s salary. Trading him now would be waving the white flag and the Mets don’t appear ready to do that.

If the Mets aren’t going to trade any of their starters or their best reliever, they should at least consider dealing 29-year-old right-hander Seth Lugo, who failed to stick as a starter but is finding success in the bullpen. Since making the switch, Lugo has a 2.70 ERA across 95 appearances and 153.1 innings with 10.1 strikeouts per nine and 2.4 walks per nine. He is a bit older than most players with only four years of MLB experience, but has shown an ability to go more than one inning at a time and won’t hurt himself with walks or home runs.

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