Apr 9, 2023; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitchers Max Scherzer (left) and Justin Verlander stand together in the dugout during the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Miami Marlins at New York Mets
(New York) — The MLB trade deadline is rapidly approaching- and the Mets have decisions to make ahead of August 1st trade deadline.
New York find themselves in a tricky spot seven games back of the third and final wildcard spot.
The Mets will face one of three possible outcomes.
Option 1) Remain put and committed to finishing the season with the existing roster.
Option 2) Deciding to be ‘Buyers,’ acquiring immediate win now help to make a playoff push
Option 3) The most likely option of being ‘Sellers’ parting ways with pieces, to collect long term assets.
Owner Steve Cohen and general manager Billy Eppler have five games remaining before the deadline to gauge what’s in the best interest for the club.
“What I’m hearing from sources this morning is, the Mets at this moment are measured sellers,” ESPN’s Buster Olney reports “Veteran players on short-term deals are players that they will talk about moving. Guys like Mark Canha, Tommy Pham, David Robertson. Yes, they will talk about Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, but remember those guys have full no-trade clauses. They would have to okay any proposed deal.”
Justin Verlander headlines a long list of possible trade prospects for the Mets and shared his views on the matter:
“Not really [thinking about it],” Verlander said. “I’m just focused on what’s ahead of me. I would hope if there was any chance [GM Billy Eppler] would come and talk to me and that hasn’t happened.
“I’m focused on being a Met. That’s why I signed here. I want to win here. Obviously, it hasn’t gone according to plan just yet but I didn’t sign a one-year deal.”
The clock continues to tick on New York’s season.