Reese Kaplan -- A Giant First Step But There's Still More To Do

So with the lopsided win against the Brewers on the second half of the day/night doubleheader many people gushing over the lineup change in batting order that resulted in key RBIs and long balls from both Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor and for once the team played like winners.  Carlos Mendoza even brought in star closer Edwin Diaz to bail out an at-fault 8th inning relief pitcher to close out that inning and eventually save it in the 9th. Honestly, it felt SO GOOD to see the team play like one of the best in baseball.

So with this game two victory, what does it mean for the Mets?

Well, let’s see...there is still no offensive help on the immediate horizon unless you feel that the return of Jesse Winker is the equivalent of a key difference maker.  Don’t get me wrong.  A guy who might hit .275 in a lefty platoon role would certainly be a vast improvement over the .220 hitters (or worse) who have been here since he got hurt, but is it enough? 

Now, before you say I’m constantly complaining, I refer you to the batting averages, power numbers and RBI totals of anyone not named Lindor, Alonso, Soto or Nimmo in the lineup. Opposing pitchers likely feel that once they get past the four horsemen it is apocalypse time for the rest of the Mets lineup.

On the pitching side things should indeed improve when the starting rotation receives Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga, a pitching-tip fixed Frankie Montas and even Tylor Megill.  These arms in addition to Clay Holmes  and a hopefully reincarnated David Peterson should be enough to revitalize the team’s ability to keep opposing hitters off-stride. 

Once again it brings up the now three plus weeks that exist before the end of July trading deadline.  Yes, the Mets most definitely need some overworked bullpen help.  Brooks Raley should help immensely from the left side, but it’s hard to put major stress on a guy coming back from Tommy John Surgery.  So how about...

Aroldis Chapman is a New York proven left handed reliever who is having a lights-out year from the Red Sox.  For a quick glance, think about what it would be like to add a pitcher who has 3-2 record over 38 games with a 1.29 ERA, a WHIP of 0.77 and 15 saves with just a single Blown Save for the 2025 season.  He’s on a $10.75 million contract that expires at year’s end.  Now THAT’S a rental worth acquiring even with his domestic violence dirty laundry.

How about from the offensive side?  There is also a domestic violence scandal hitter who knows how to do so with a baseball bat and not just his fists.  Marcell Ozuna of the Braves is obviously a potent offensive force.  In the past two years from the Braves he’s hit 39 and 40 HRs respectively along with triple digit RBIs each season.  In 2025 he’s been down quite a bit with a .240 average, 11 HRs and 40 RBIs.  He’s earning $16 million this year and is a free agent at year’s end.  His acquisition wouldn’t be as expensive in player resources as would Chapman’s, but getting the Braves to help their eastern divisions rivals is not likely to happen.

Other players allegedly on the cusp of a July deal include professional if not unquestionable hitters who other teams might put on the block as a result of needing to rebuild and clear off salary.  We’ve already discussed Byron Buxton but then there is Luis Robert, Jr., Jarren Duran and others who could help the club by addressing the CF, infield or DH inadequacies.  Of this group Buxton is obviously the highest potential impact of this other group but his injury history will make any trade partners quite nervous about making him into a key component of their quest for October baseball. 

So who all do you think the Mets should look to acquire before the month ends?