Prediction, report address Mets' mindset ahead of MLB trade deadline

Along with most teams chasing a postseason berth this summer, the New York Mets will look to acquire at least one relief pitcher before the MLB trade deadline arrives on Thursday, July 31, at 6 p.m. ET.

ESPN's David Schoenfield predicted Thursday that the Mets will acquire right-handed reliever Griffin Jax from the Minnesota Twins before the month ends. 

"The bullpen had a 2.78 ERA through May, but that figure is over 5.00 since the beginning of June (ranking near the bottom of the majors)," Schoenfield said about the Mets. "...Don't be fooled by [Jax's] 4.09 ERA: He has 68 strikeouts and 12 walks in 44 innings with a 97-mph heater. He's an elite strikeout reliever, the type you want on the mound in October."

Schoenfield's piece was posted less than 24 hours after MLB insider Andy Martino of SNY reported that the Mets don't feel that relegating current starter Clay Holmes back to a bullpen role "is necessary for him to remain healthy and productive." 

Some previously suggested that the Mets could pursue a big-name starting pitcher so that Holmes could offer the club some needed bullpen help, but it appears such a move isn't being considered.

"They do not see an obvious opening in their rotation," Martino added about the Mets' mindset. 

"Jax is very good, has two more seasons of team control and will be hotly pursued by other contenders," SNY's Anthony McCarron wrote in another article published Thursday. "But the Twins don’t HAVE to trade him, so this is no pennies-on-the-dollar deal." 

It's unclear exactly what the Twins may ask for in return for Jax, but Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns may feel he needs to overpay for the 30-year-old. 

During New York's 6-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said plenty about the state of his bullpen when he called upon closer Edwin Diaz to get a four-out save. 

While the 59-44 Mets began Thursday holding a half-game lead over the rival Philadelphia Phillies (58-44) for first place in the National League East, New York was 45-24 on June 12. 

As of Thursday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Mets tied for fourth among the betting favorites at +850 odds to win the World Series. It's difficult to imagine New York being the last team standing if Stearns doesn't strengthen the Mets' bullpen before August.