The New York Mets looked like a team in a downward spiral last month but have been playing good baseball recently.
At 59-44, the Mets have regained a half-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the National League East.
New York has star power and a solid pitching staff, though the pitching staff has come down to earth after a ridiculous first two months of the season.
The most glaring hole on the roster is third base. Mark Vientos and Brett Baty have manned the hot corner this year and haven’t been spectacular.
Vientos, 25, has six home runs and 25 RBI while slashing just .224/.279/.354 in 72 games. Baty, 25, has 11 home runs and 33 RBI while slashing .238/.294/.429 in 81 games.
ESPN staff made a trade deadline tracker with updates about buzzing rumors around the league. Jesse Rogers thinks the Mets should be in play for Arizona Diamondbacks slugger Eugenio Suárez.
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“Eugenio Suárez could be an intriguing option for the Mets as they've gotten little production out of Mark Vientos at third base,” wrote Rogers. “And if things work out and Suárez wants to stay -- and they want him to -- he could also provide protection for the Mets at first base in case Pete Alonso moves on next season. The Mets rank 23rd in OPS at third, so why wouldn't they inquire about Suárez, knowing they can hand the position back to Vientos in 2026 if they wish.”
Suárez, 34, is putting together another monster campaign and is on pace to mash 57 home runs this season.
The two-time All-Star has 36 home runs and 86 RBI while slashing .252/.325/.593 in 101 games.
Several teams are interested in Suárez’s services, so if the Mets want to pursue him, they’ll need to be prepared to trade a haul for the pending free agent.
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