The New York Mets seized first place in the National League East division after a series sweep of the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday and the front office could be looking to add another blockbuster piece.
Even after re-signing Pete Alonso and Sean Manaea and adding Juan Soto, Clay Holmes and other veterans to the roster, the Mets are heading into the trade deadline with a chance to fortify their World Series aspirations. The team has been linked to frontline starter Dylan Cease, who could suddenly be on the San Diego Padres’ trade block.
“A surprise name has emerged in the starting pitcher market: Dylan Cease, who will be eligible for free agency at year’s end,” ESPN’s Buster Olney reported. “Perception of other teams is that the Padres are intent on making a push for the playoffs, and would use Cease to help fill other roster needs.”
Olney added that the Mets had been among the teams to check in on Cease, and the New York Post’s Jon Heyman corroborated that news.
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But the Mets have a relatively strong rotation already, with Manaea, Holmes, Kodai Senga and Frankie Montas in the mix and Tylor Megill hoping to come back from injury. And the cost of acquiring Cease, who could then leave for free agency at the end of the season, is likely to be high.
However, four-time Mets All-Star Jose Reyes endorsed that potential trade when asked if the Mets need a top-line starter like Cease.
“Probably yes,” Reyes said in a recent segment on SNY.
“This team this year, they’ve been good so far,” Reyes added. “They’re tied for first place right now. As a former player, when you see the GM go into the trade deadline and get some pieces, that means they want to win today. They’re in the same boat as the player. … They have some good pitchers now, but if you add another pitcher, that’s going to be good for them.”
The Mets might feel like the cost of acquiring Cease is too high or that their rotation is the area of the roster least in need of a substantial upgrade. But Reyes noted how an aggressive acquisition can help motivate every member of the Mets locker room.
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