Kris Bryant Sam Greene via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Mets to target Kris Bryant, Jose Berrios ahead of trade deadline?

The first-place New York Mets dropped two of three to the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates over the weekend. They now lead the Philadelphia Phillies by only two games in the National League East standings, and both ace Jacob deGrom and shortstop Francisco Lindor went down to injuries this weekend. 

Per Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated, the Mets are looking to make a "big splash" before the July 30 trade deadline and could target Chicago Cubs slugger Kris Bryant and Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Jose Berrios. Ragazzo added the Mets are willing to exceed the luxury tax for the right player(s) but don't want to lose top-rated prospects Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty for Bryant. It's also possible the Mets could ask the Cubs to add a pitcher in a trade involving Bryant. 

Bryant is hitting .268 with 16 home runs and 47 RBI, and he'd likely be just a rental for the Mets. Berrios, meanwhile, is 7-3 with a 3.48 ERA on the season. Per Phil Miller of the Star Tribune, Berrios is eligible for free agency after the 2022 campaign and will be looking to sign a big contract either beforehand or once he hits the market. 

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