Mets interested in trading for Twins 3B Josh Donaldson?

The New York Mets are in first place in the NL East, but that doesn't mean they aren't searching for upgrades in certain areas. 

According to SNY's Andy Martino, the Mets are in the market for a third baseman and have had "very preliminary talks" with the Minnesota Twins about Josh Donaldson. 

However, Martino notes that it's unclear how serious the Mets are about pursuing Donaldson because they "still prefer to remain under the $210 million luxury tax." 

Donaldson is in the second year of a four-year, $92 million contract. His deal carries with it a competitive balance tax calculation of $23 million over a full season, or around $11.5 million in a half season.

The Mets have about $13 million in room and would be cutting it close if they were to acquire Donaldson. 

Donaldson entered Sunday hitting .252/.347/.491 with 13 home runs and 34 RBI. 

With the Mets' two top third base options, J.D. Davis and Jonathan Villar, out due to injury, New York has relied on utilityman Luis Guillorme as its everyday third baseman. 

If the Mets were to pull the trigger on Donaldson, he would immediately become their starter at third. 

Other third basemen who could be available at the deadline include the Chicago Cubs' Kris Bryant, Seattle Mariners' Kyle Seager, Arizona Diamondbacks' Eduardo Escobar and New York Yankees' Miguel Andujar.