This Mets-Rockies trade makes too much sense after Jacob deGrom’s injury

With Jacob deGrom injured, the New York Mets should have their eye on a deal for this Colorado Rockies starting pitcher.

Through a litany of injuries, the New York Mets sit atop the NL East by 2.5 games entering Wednesday’s action. Ace Jacob deGrom is on the IL again with soreness in his right forearm, and the idea the Mets are in the market for pitching is only reinforced as the trade deadline creeps closer.

At 41-53 and 18.5 games back in the NL West (entering Wednesday, the Colorado Rockies are a trade deadline seller even if interim general manager Bill Schmidt has taken a stance to not have a fire sale and be a “farm system” for other teams. Shortstop Trevor Story headlines the Rockies who could be on the move, and manager Bud Black tried to put the kibosh on the idea they should trade starting pitcher German Marquez as multiple teams surely have interest.

The Mets should target another Rockies starting pitcher

Whereas Marquez is under contract for two more years with a club option for 2024, Jon Gray will be a free agent after the season. He is also pitching very well of late, with a 2.40 ERA, 37 strikeouts and 10 walks over his last five starts (30 innings) since coming back off a stint on the IL due to an elbow strain. He has allowed two runs or less in four of those starts, while going at least six innings in four straight. Over his last three starts, he has a 22:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

The Rockies may think they can sign Gray to a reasonable multi-year contract in the offseason. But he’s a prime trade target for contenders right now, and the premium on pitching means they could cash in their best trade chip this side of Story and Marquez at slightly above value.

The price to get Gray would not be as high as it would be to get Jose Berrios from the Minnesota Twins, so it’s no surprise he’s on the Mets’ radar according to FanSided’s Robert Murray. Here’s what a deal to bring the former top-5 draft pick into the fold might look like.

Newton may be ready to play in the big leagues sometime next year, but Francisco Lindor is obviously not going anywhere as the long-term guy at shortstop for the Mets. Renteria is close to the reaching the majors too, and he’s also a top-25 prospect in New York’s system according to MLB.com.

The Mets won’t have to part with any of their top prospects to get Gray as a rental starter. They could go that way if they want to (and if all else fails) and offer shortstop Ronny Mauricio, pitcher Matt Allan, third baseman Brett Baty, etc. by themselves. But those kind of guys are better used as pieces of an offer for bigger fish on the trade market in the coming days.