3 moves the New York Mets must make to counter Yankees trade

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It has been a very long time since both the New York Yankees and New York Mets were both at the top at their respective leagues at the same time. As a result, the two clubs are both making additions to their teams and, as of early Thursday morning, they have been the only two teams to make big trades.

The Mets acquired first baseman/designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach from the Pittsburgh Pirates last Friday. The Yankees countered late on Wednesday night by acquiring left fielder Andrew Benintendi from the Kansas City Royals.

The Mets have more areas that they have to address, especially because the Atlanta Braves have come roaring back into the NL East picture. Entering the month of June, they were still in second place in the NL East but they were 10.5 games behind the Mets and four games under .500. Now, the Braves are 18 games over .500 and just three games back of the Mets.

Here are three moves that the Mets must make to counter the Yankees’ acquisition of Benintendi.

Trade for Detroit Tigers reliever Andrew Chafin

The Mets bullpen has been very good overall, as their bullpen is in the top third of the league in ERA. However, they have been lacking a lot with left-handers.

David Peterson was doing well as a starter but in his last two outings, he has been used in relief. He has combined for 1.1 innings and he has allowed three runs (all earned). Joely Rodríguez has been the only other left-handed reliever and he has a 5.93 ERA in 34 games.

For the Tigers, Andrew Chafin has been great. In 37 appearances, the veteran left-handed reliever has a 2.53 ERA with a 2.22 FIP and an average of 2.8 walks and 11 strikeouts per nine innings. He’s exactly what they need in their bullpen.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 13: Brandon Drury #22 of the Cincinnati Reds in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 13, 2022 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Reds 7-6 in ten innings. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Trade for Cincinnati Reds third baseman Brandon Drury

The Mets are familiar with Brandon Drury since he played for them last year. He was good for them (110 OPS+ in 51 games) but the Reds signed him for this season.

Eduardo Escobar has been the primary third baseman for the Mets this season after he signed a two-year deal for $20 million. But he is only hitting .220/.272/.396 with an OPS+ of 88.

He has had a great year for them and now, he’s probably the third baseman that is most likely to be traded. He is hitting .268/.329/.512 in 87 games with 19 home runs, 57 RBI, 20 doubles, and an OPS+ of 124.

He primarily plays third base but he has also played second base, first base, shortstop, and right field. That could be helpful since the Mets will still want to use Escobar some due to his contract but they have to get some more offense in there.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 25: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs sits in the dugout during the eighth inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on July 25, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

Trade for Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras

This would be the move that could really put the Mets over the top and help them top the Yankees at the trade deadline.

Offensively, the Mets have been a trainwreck behind the plate. Catching is a very weak spot for hitting but the Mets’ catchers have a wRC+ of 50, or 50 percent below league average, which is second-last in baseball.

James McCann should help it some when he comes back from the IL (he’s currently on a minor league rehab assignment) but even in his 30 games this season, he had an OPS+ of 55.

Cubs catcher Willson Contreras almost certainly will be traded and he’s, arguably, the best hitting catcher out there. On the season, the NL All-Star starting catcher has hit .258/.373/.470 with 14 home runs, 37 RBI, 20 doubles, and an OPS+ of 135 in 82 games.

If the Mets get Contreras but especially if they can get Contreras, Drury, and Chafin, they could be the talk of the town more than the Yankees. Those additions and a healthy Jacob deGrom could be enough for them to win the World Series for the first time since 1986 and get manager Buck Showalter his first World Series title in 21 years of managing.

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