New York Mets to target top starting pitching at trade deadline

Rival teams I've spoken with believe the Mets could trade a top young position player in exchange for an ace level starter at the deadline. Center fielder Drew Gilbert is one possible candidate as he has been on fire at the plate in Triple-A Syracuse; Ronny Mauricio, Mark Vientos, Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuna are all believed to be available as well.

However, there aren't too many frontline starters that come to mind on the trade market this year. The obvious names are Zac Gallen of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins, both of whom are having down seasons statistically. Mitch Keller of the Pittsburgh Pirates is another hurler that comes to mind, but the expectation is that the asking price will be enormous, plus he is still owed $55.7 million across the next three seasons.

The Mets have reportedly checked in on Alcantara, Keller and old friend Luis Severino, who is with the A's now. As Stearns said, the Mets are going to be "involved" in the top of the starting pitching market, but it remains to be seen regarding who will be available.

New York's rotation as it stands features: Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, David Peterson and Clay Holmes. Paul Blackburn and Tylor Megill are both on the mend from injuries and will serve as key depth pieces.