MLB rumors: 5 favorites to trade for Willson Contreras

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 18: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs throws the ball to first base in the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on May 18, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 18: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs throws the ball to first base in the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on May 18, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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MLB rumors, Willson Contreras
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: James McCann #33 of the New York Mets in action against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on May 04, 2022 in New York City. The Braves defeated the Mets 9-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

4) MLB rumors: New York Mets could be a suitor to rent Willson Contreras

The New York Mets are in a similar position as the Astros with some light-hitting catchers. Tomas Nido is the backup and in the absence of starter James McCann, they’ve been using Patrick Mazeika.

Before landing on the IL, McCann was struggling yet again for the Mets. Nido is out of minor-league options so to make this trade work they would have to either place someone on the IL for longer or DFA Nido—a backup catcher many Mets pitchers have praised over the years.

However, with McCann already on the IL and plenty of history to suggest a baseball ailment could linger, maybe the Mets do look to make a change. They could even potentially carry three catchers for a period if needed because of the club’s need to upgrade the DH spot.

Contreras could actually give a team like the Mets more from a DH role than he does behind the plate. It’s an added bonus for a catcher that hits, too. With the ability to also fill in behind the plate occasionally, the Mets could boost their lineup in a unique way.

Last summer, the Mets and Cubs made a big deal when Javier Baez and Trevor Williams were sent to New York for prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong. Could we see a similar deal take place with Contreras as the headliner heading to the Big Apple?