Executive, scout discuss Mets' trade-deadline dilemma

At least one rival team executive has some concerns about the New York Mets possibly moving a starting pitcher, such as Tylor Megill, Jose Butto or Jose Quintana, to the bullpen instead of shopping for a reliever ahead of the July 30 trade deadline.

"It’s a reasonable thought, trying to maximize your best arms when you have a need," the executive told John Harper of SNY for a piece published Monday, "but as a GM you also have to be prepared for injuries, and if you’re using starters as relievers for any extended time period, you could be in trouble if a couple of guys in the rotation get hurt. You also have to consider how it might affect their development as starters."

Will Sammon of The Athletic is among those who have noted that a Mets team in need of bullpen help could either look to trade an out-of-contract player such as Quintana for a reliever or move somebody from the rotation to the bullpen as soon as this week. Advertised ace Kodai Senga hasn't yet made his regular-season debut because of setbacks related to a moderate capsule strain in the back of his right shoulder he suffered during spring training but seemingly could face big-league batters later this month.

Back when the Mets were 28-37 on June 11, some within MLB believed it was a matter of when team owner Steve Cohen would sign off on club president of baseball operations David Stearns trading to-be free agents such as Quintana, fellow starter Luis Severino, star first baseman Pete Alonso and a couple of relief pitchers. However, the 40-41 Mets began July two games back in the battle for the National League's third wild-card playoff spot. 

"If I’m the Mets, I might try it in some form as a Band-Aid and, if the team is still playing well in a month, then you try to trade for bullpen arms," the unnamed executive said about New York giving at least one starter some relief appearances. "The problem is everybody is always looking for relievers at the deadline and this year, especially, there may not be a lot of inventory. You’ll probably have to overpay to get a good one. And it’s hard to do it this early. Usually the asking prices are higher than they will be at the deadline."

The Mets open a four-game series at the 39-44 Washington Nationals on Monday evening. Based on club records as of Monday afternoon, New York won't face an opponent with a winning record before the All-Star break starts on the evening of July 14.

"You want depth in your system but part of the reason is so you can make trades when you need to," one scout told Harper while referencing New York's fire sale from last summer. "The Mets are in much better shape than even a year ago, and they should also have a better idea of which of their better prospects they project as major leaguers, and which ones they’d be more comfortable moving."

The Mets are scheduled to play every day before their mid-July break and, thus, will have 14 additional opportunities to convince Cohen that he should buy and not sell before the final Tuesday of the month arrives.