The Mets already addressed a need by adding Daniel Vogelbach, and that’s expected to be the first domino of potentially many to fall leading up to next week’s trade deadline.
New York got a left-handed bat and first base/designated hitter option in Vogelbach, but there’s enough room for improvement that acquiring another bat, especially a right-handed one, could be on the table, as well.
Who exactly the Mets have their sights set on isn’t fully clear, especially since there aren’t a surplus of options on the market this summer. On “The Athletic Baseball Show”, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal pinpointed what moves could be coming next for the Mets.
“What the Mets probably want to do next as far as their offense is concerned, Rosenthal said, "is add a right-handed compliment to Vogelbach, maybe someone who has some pedigree to him. I’m thinking Trey Mancini, someone like that. ...
“I mention Mancini in part because he’s an obvious fit, first base/DH type. And Buck Showalter had him in Baltimore, knows him well, thinks highly of him. There are many other players the Mets can look at, Mancini’s certainly not the only one – Josh Bell (is another) but I think his price will be higher.
“They’re going to add more, and clearly they’ve been aggressive so far (with) Vogelbach and the catching depth that they added Saturday. So, we’ll see them do some things, and they could use a lefty reliever on top of that.”
The Mancini idea is an interesting one.
Mancini has a mutual option in his deal and likely will be a free agent this offseason, and he has been in trade rumors for years. But he remains in Baltimore, and the Orioles are surprisingly competitive this season, sitting just 3.5 games out of the final wild card spot despite playing in a loaded American League East.
The shrewd long-term move would be to trade Mancini (unless the Orioles intend to sign him) instead of keeping him in a year in which they’re playing with house money. That said, Mancini isn’t a bargain bin add, and the Orioles probably shouldn’t move someone so adored by a fanbase that has not had a lot to root for this century unless they get a respectable return.
This season, Mancini is hitting .268 with nine homers, 80 strikeouts and a .749 OPS. He’s served as a designated hitter, first baseman and played both corner outfield spots this season.
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