Ahead the 2025 trade deadline, most prognosticators have identified three primary needs for the New York Mets: center field, starting pitching, and relief pitching.
All of those needs could still be addressed, but one baseball insider sees the potential for the Mets to go after one of the best bats available, even if they would only project to play a part-time designated hitter role.
In a trade deadline preview on Wednesday, Yahoo Sports' Russell Dorsey listed the Mets as a top prospective fit for Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman/DH Josh Naylor, who will be a free agent at the end of the season after making $10.9 million in arbitration.
"The D-backs have not had much luck on the injury front this season, with multiple pitchers going down for the season, including starters Corbin Burnes and Jordan Montgomery and reliever Justin Martinez," Dorsey wrote.
"If Arizona decides to sell, moving Naylor, who is also a free agent at the end of the season, feels like the right decision. Potential landing spots: Red Sox, Mets, Giants."
The Mets' DH role was supposed to be a platoon between lefty Jesse Winker and righty Starling Marte, both of whom are on expiring contracts as well. But Winker has been injured since early May and still has no timetable for returning.
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Naylor would likely be an upgrade over Winker anyway, as the 27-year-old owns a .305 batting average, .830 OPS, and 49 RBI in 71 games this season. The lefty slugger was an All-Star with the Cleveland Guardians last season.
The missing piece of the puzzle is whether Arizona will actually sell, as they currently sit just three games out of playoff position at 36-37. After the National League saw a plethora of teams get off to blazing hot starts, many squads have struggled to begin the month of June.
At the very least, Naylor is a name to keep an eye on in Queens as the Jul. 31 deadline approaches.
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