NY Mets rumors: 3 biggest trade deadline mistakes
By Drew Koch
The Mets addressed a few needs at this year’s trade deadline, but it still feels like the team has some holes as New York readies for their stretch run.
The New York Mets didn’t sit on their hands at the trade deadline, but they didn’t make a splash either. Not every team has the guts or prospect capital to pull off what we saw from the San Diego Padres at the deadline, but it still felt as though the Mets could have done more.
Sure, New York swapped right-handed bats as they acquired Darin Ruf from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for J.D. Davis. The Mets added a bullpen arm in Mychal Givens as well. And it can’t be forgotten that Tyler Naquin and Daniel Vogelbach were added to the roster last week as well.
But after seeing what the Padres and Atlanta Braves did at the deadline, it makes you wonder if the Mets have the horses to compete with the big boys come playoff time. What are the three biggest mistakes the Mets made at this year’s deadline?
1. Mets acquired Darin Ruf rather than Brandon Drury.
Okay, the New York Mets weren’t totally neglectful of their need to replace J.D. Davis as the team’s right-handed DH. But grabbing Darin Ruf while Brandon Drury was available seems like a miss on the part of Billy Eppler and the New York front office.
Ruf is older (36 years old) than Drury (29 years old) and is owed more money. While both have had success versus left-handed bats this season, Ruf has struggled against right-handers. The former Giants first baseman is also limited defensively whereas Drury can play all over the diamond.
Not only did New York ship Davis out to the Bay Area, but the Giants also received three pitching prospects, including Thomas Szapucki. Seeing as how all the Cincinnati Reds received in return for Drury’s services was an 18-year-old shortstop prospect, the Mets could’ve landed the infielder a similar price and still traded or optioned J.D. Davis.