The Mets Need To Acquire A Bat Even If That Means Parting With Some Pitching

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

On Tuesday night, San Francisco Giants rookie pitcher Chris Heston pitched the 17th no-hitter in the history of the storied franchise. The 5-0 game was typical of most games this season, not for the Giants, but for the team that was no-hit…the New York Mets.

So far this season while the Mets have been in first place in the NL East (until last night), the Amazins’ have experienced significant trouble hitting and scoring runs. The problem is that, while the Mets are two games over .500 as of press time, the numbers make them look like a middle of the road team or worse. The Mets are hitting .240 as a team which places them 25th out of 30 MLB teams. 52 home runs as a team puts them right in the middle of MLB rankings but their OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) is 27th in the league at .673.

The problem is that with David Wright out indefinitely and numerous other injuries around the diamond, the Mets does not have the firepower offensively to make a legitimate run at the NL East or even the pennant. The pitching staff, more specifically the bullpen, is the one thing that is keeping them at the top of the division but at some point they will have to win a shootout like game or even just blow a team out by a number of runs at some point this season.

The Mets and general manager Sandy Alderson has been linked to numerous trade rumors since Spring Training but nothing as come to fruition for the Mets. The latest trade rumor as of Wednesday night had the Mets “weighing” a trade for Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez. Ramirez, 36, has to plans to retire once the 2015 season is over and with Wright’s “indefinite” injury status, the trade appears to a match for both teams. The problem becomes if Wright returns sooner than expected. You picked up Ramirez for his bat and he would be sitting on the bench if the Mets captain makes a Willis Reed-like return and sitting on the bench will Ramirez’s $8.8 million salary.

Another name that has been mentioned a lot in the last few weeks as been Oakland A’s Ben Zobrist. Zobrist was one of the names that were mentioned during the spring and with Zobrist’s ability to play multiple positions, he is an attractive option for the Mets who can move him around and have him play almost daily. While this sounds like a good deal, Oakland and more specifically their general manager Billy Beane are not dumb and when they makes trades, they know what they want and they will not budge a bit. For Oakland, pitching will be on their minds so pitchers like Steven Matz, Noah Syndergaard and Rafael Montero could be on Oakland’s wish list.

Many believe, including me, that the Chicago Cubs may hold all the cards when it comes to being trade partners for the Mets. The Cubs have two shortstops (Addison Russell and Starlin Castro) that are splitting time right now. Chicago is set on going with Russell as the shortstop of the future but with Castro hitting great right now, the Cubs may be willing to part with either shortstop. The Mets have Wilmer Flores, who is not the answer, and Ruben Tejada who is not to be trusted with a starting job. The Cubs will ask for a lot but if you receive a good amount in return, the initial gut punch the Mets would feel after giving up some young pitching won’t hurt as much.

As we hit the middle of June, the Mets are in real race within their division. At some point Mets brass and ownership have to realize that the future that they have been talking about for years is here and right now so they need to pull the trigger. They need another bat to solidify the lineup and without that bat, the Mets will fall out of contention and not make the playoffs. All it takes is one phone call. So go ahead Sandy, make the call.