MLB Rumors: NY Mets should take a swing at Andrew Benintendi
With a weekend sweep of the Cleveland Guardians, the New York Mets have won five straight games, which an impressive feat for a team which got off to such a poor start to the season. Now two games over the .500 mark, the Mets would be smart to add at the trade deadline if they are still in contention.
The kids from the farm have helped New York's depth immensely. Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty and even Mark Vientos are all capable big leaguers. But beyond that, the Mets still have some holes to fill, specifically in the outfield.
Starling Marte and Brandon Nimmo are solid. Mark Canha is capable enough, and Jeff McNeil can fill in their when needed. But Marte was injured earlier this year. The Mets are one issue away from having one of the weaker outfield units in the National League. Why face that risk?
While Andrew Benintendi is a known trade target for many contenders this summer, the Mets have yet to be connected to the veteran outfielder. Benintendi can play any of the corner spots, and he has postseason experience as recently as last season with the Yankees. Currently slashing .279/.339/.355 with very limited power in 45 games for the struggling White Sox, Billy Eppler can likely acquire the rental without giving up one of the Mets top prospects, which should be the ultimate goal.
As John Frascella noted earlier in the year, Benintendi is a professional hitter. He'll fit in quite well with the Mets.
MLB Rumors: Cardinals can trade with a division rival
The St. Louis Cardinals need pitching, and while they should also acquire a big fish like Dylan Cease or perhaps another ace on the market once July comes around, this team needs depth. Rich Hill could provide that.
Trading in the same division is rare, but the Cards and Pirates pulled off a deal just last season for pitcher Jose Quintana. While Pittsburgh is certainly closer to contending this year than last, their window probably won't open for another season or two. Hill, a veteran rental, was acquired for this very reason — to be sent packing at the trade deadline for a prospect or two.
Sure, Hill has done an admirable job in the Steel City, and the Bucs are a few games over .500, surprising us all. Yet, despite a 20-8 start, Pittsburgh has fallen back down to earth in a big way. Should this trend continue, the Pirates will be clear sellers come late July.
St. Louis, meanwhile, has flipped the script as well. A disastrous start had some pundits wondering if the Cardinals would sell assets far before the trade deadline. Rather, the Cards could instead be in position to make a postseason run if they acquire the right pieces. Pitching is definitely their most vital needed upgrade. Hill, with his 3.80 ERA and 1.352 WHIP, can offer that to a veteran-laden group.
MLB Rumors: Braves trade for familiar face
The Atlanta Braves biggest need right now is pitching, and that's unlikely to change anytime soon. If we're discussing a dark-horse addition, however, why not Joc Pederson?
The man with the pearls himself is in the midst of a down season by his standards. Pederson made the All-Star Game last year, but wasn't dealt by the San Francisco Giants, who thought they had a chance at the postseason.
This year, though, that's not the case. San Francisco is a good bet to sell off some rentals to refurbish their farm system. The Braves, meanwhile, could use some corner outfield help. Sam Hilliard, Marcell Ozuna and Eddie Rosario are the primary contenders for those roster spots. Pederson, with his 2021 World Series experience and big bat, could snatch a starting spot right away.
As I wrote a month ago, a reunion with Pederson makes more sense than you might think on the surface:
"Pederson was an NL All-Star last season, slashing .274/.353/.521 with 23 home runs. This year, he hasn't been the same, as his batting average has dropped about fifty points thus far. That could all turn around by the trade deadline, but should his numbers continue to flop, Pederson would be an easy add for Anthopoulos. Assuming Marcell Ozuna doesn't suddenly turn things around for good, the Braves will need that corner outfield upgrade."
Atlanta ultimately passed on a Pederson reunion last deadline, instead acquiring some smaller pieces which did not pay off. Pederson, a player familiar with what it takes to make a World Series run in this market, is an upgrade the Braves need.