Role Reversal: Mets need starting pitching, while Yankees have more than enough

Matt Harvey (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Going into the 2016 season, not a person on planet Earth could have predicted the Mets to be the team in New York with a depth problem in their rotation.

But with Matt Harvey out for the foreseeable future, and Steven Matz an even money bet to reach the finish line because of a balky elbow, things are beginning to look thin on the mound in Queens.

Meanwhile in the Bronx, Masahiro Tanaka, Nathan Eovaldi, Ivan Nova, Michael Pineda and CC Sabathia continue to eat up innings and take the ball every fifth day despite the inconsistent results.

Let’s face it, the Mets need to add rotation depth at the deadline or they will be using minor leaguers in September when the postseason race is reaching its’ climax.

Below is a list of starters that could be on the block:

Rich Hill, A’s: Just left a start because of a blister on his hand, could be a buy-low risk-reward type of move that Sandy Alderson could pull off with the very apt-to-trade GM Billy Beane.

Sonny Gray, A’s: Will take a lot more to get then Hill, and at this point he might be more of a project considering he has a 5.12 ERA this season.

Jon Niese, Pirates: This could be a fun reunion. He was traded for Neil Walker last season. Having a medicore year (8-6, 4.89).

Jeff Locke, Pirates: How ironic would it be if the Mets made a trade with the Pirates for a starting pitcher and it wasn’t Niese? But his ERA is even higher then Niese’s (5.26)

Julio Teheran, Braves: No chance, keep reading.

Any starter on the Rays: Archer, Odorizzi and Moore are probably available at the right price. But based on the trade history of 3rd year GM Matthew Silverman I’m not sure the Mets have the right pieces that Tampa would be looking for.

Ricky Nolasco, Twins: This is the best match in my opinion. The Twins just fired long-time GM Terry Ryan, they’ve taken a giant step back this season and are in dead last in the American League, so they will most likely be looking to sell. Nolasco will make an affordable $12 million in 2017 and has a $1 million buyout in 2018, so he could be a viable insurance policy in case the Mets have the same starting pitcher issues next season. His ERA is inflated, but maybe a change of scenery would provide a spark. Nolasco spent the first 8 years if his career with the Marlins, so he’s very familiar with the NL East.