Although the trade deadline is less than two months away, that hasn't stopped the baseball media from speculating what the needs of each ball club are.
While a team like the New York Mets have a solid lead in their division, FOX Sports baseball reporter Ken Rosenthal thinks the team will still be looking to improve come Aug. 2.
During the latest episode of The Athletic Baseball Show, a fan asked Rosenthal what players the Mets have been linked to and who will they target. Although he believes it's too early, Rosenthal thinks the area they need to address the most is their pitching, believing they could potentially acquire another starter or reliever depending on the status of Jacob DeGrom and Max Scherzer.
"They could look for a starter depending on where Scherzer, DeGrom and their other starters come the deadline. They certainly could use in my estimation an eighth-inning reliever," Rosenthal said. "A quality setup guy in front of Diaz. Now Trevor May could be that guy once he returns, Lugo used to be that guy but really isn't that effective or at least effective to that level this year. There was some talk internally with the Mets, some of their staffers about maybe Tylor Megill moving to the bullpen if they get enough back in the rotation. I don't know given what's going on with McGill physically if that's going to be possible now but I expect them to go after a quality setup man."
Rosenthal says the second need for the Mets is another bat, specifically a leftie who has power.
"I would like to see them get a left-handed bat for the bench, kind of an upgrade over what Dom Smith and Nick Plummer have been for them, that's kinda a hole on the roster. The one thing that kinda concerns me about them is their lack of power. They're fine in slugging percentage [mostly because Alonso's been so dominant but who do they have that really scares you from a power perspective outside of Alonso. Marte maybe, but he really hasn't been that guy this year."
Despite this being a long show, Rosenthal suggests the front office could take a shot on Wilson Contreras but ultimately believes Steve Cohen is likely not willing to pay the price for his services.
"You can put him in the outfield, you can catch him, you can DH him, but I don't know if they're willing to pay that kind of price."
While every good team always has areas of improvement, Rosenthal admits to just nitpicking, calling New York a great team.
"Listen, they're really good, we're nitpicking, I'll repeat that but that would be if they have an offense need the thing I kinda would like to see them address. I like to see a left-handed bat with power. That would be the final piece in my estimation outside of that eighth-inning setup guy."
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