The player not named Luis Robert that the New York Mets need to target in a trade to help carry the franchise to a World Series

The New York Mets have several areas of their roster that they'll need to solidify later this summer to help the team make a World Series run. 

Specifically, the Mets will need to add some bullpen help, and they may need to add a premier starting pitcher, depending on the health of the rotation and what's available via trade. 

New York will also probably need to add a right-handed bat to the lineup. 

Veteran Starling Marte is currently serving as the Mets' primary right-handed DH option. Marte, however, is hitting just .197 with four extra base hits and three stolen bases this season. The 36-year-old has had a productive MLB career, but at this point, he's nothing more than a part-time singles hitter who can't play the field on a regular basis (and when he does play the field, he's a below average defender due to previous injuries). 

Marte isn't the type of bat that's going to help a team reach the World Series, which is undoubtedly the Mets' goal this season. 

Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert has been mentioned as potential trade target for the Mets later this summer, but I'm skeptical that New York will be willing to give up much to get the oft-injured outfielder. Robert is hitting just .186 this season with a .293 OBP. If he picks it up through the summer and the White Sox don't ask for a huge prospect haul in return (and if he's healthy), then maybe the Mets pull the trigger on a deal (especially since Robert has a club option for 2026 and 2027, meaning the Mets wouldn't have to commit to him beyond this season). 

Another player that I think would be an ideal trade target for the Mets is St Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado. 

The Cardinals tried like hell to trade Arenado during the offseason, but thanks to Arenado's no trade clause, St Louis wasn't able to find a suitable trade partner. 

Arenado isn't the superstar he used to be, but he's still a productive player and he's still one of the best fielders in the league. The eight-time All-Star is slashing .270/.352/.426 so far this season. 

Adding Arenado would give the Mets a strong right-handed bat who would also offer elite defense at third base. Earlier this offseason, Arenado indicated that he'd be willing to play first base, too. 

If the Mets deal for Arenado, they could use him in a variety of ways. He could start at third base some nights, which would allow Mark Vientos to DH. Or Arenado could start at first base and Pete Alonso could DH. Additionally, Arenado could serve as a late-game defensive replacement at third base in games he doesn't start. 

For this to work, the Mets would probably have to deal Marte and eat some money. Essentially, Arenado would take Marte's spot on the roster and on the payroll. 

Speaking of payroll, that's the one downside to this deal. Arenado is under contract through the 2027 season with a luxury cap hit of $25.5 million. Marte is off the books after this season, so it wouldn't hurt the Mets too much, but it wouldn't be ideal, either. 

I think Arenado, though, can be a productive player for the next couple of years. And he would give the Mets some first base insurance (who knows what will happen with Pete Alonso after this season) beyond the 2025 season. 

The aforementioned no trade clause is one hurdle that would need to be cleared for this deal to happen. But Arenado is a guy who badly wants to win. He hasn't had a post-season at bat since 2022. If a playoff-bound team like the Mets comes calling, I have a hard time believing that Arenado would say no.