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A few pitchers and a former Rookie of the Year: 5 targets for Mets ahead of trade deadline

Andrew Tredinnick, NorthJersey.com
·4 min read
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NEW YORK — The Mets' trade deadline intentions continue to be a mystery with the team sitting at seven games under .500 after a loss to the Yankees in Wednesday night's Subway Series finale.

Common logic suggests that they will sell off the players who will become free agents at the end of the season in an effort to pad their minor league system. But there is also a chance that the Mets make a run this week to get back within striking distance in the National League playoff race.

If that were the case, the Mets' biggest need to compete down the stretch over the final two months of the season comes in the bullpen, where the unit has posted the 21st-best ERA in the major leagues.

If the Mets were sudden buyers, they would likely go that direction to fortify their team for August and September. Here are a few of the top available relievers the Mets could target:

Scott Barlow, Royals

Jul 9, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Scott Barlow (58) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 9, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Scott Barlow (58) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

He's likely to be the most costly of the reliever targets at the deadline with team control through arbitration next season.

The 30-year-old right-hander delivered his best two seasons in 2021 and 2022. In the former, he was 5-3 with 16 saves, a 2.42 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 91 strikeouts in 74.1 innings. Last season was arguably his best as he notched a 7-4 record with 24 saves, 77 strikeouts, an 2.18 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 74⅓ innings.

The right-hander leads with his slider and curveball and is in the top 10 percent in MLB in chase rate and hard-hit percentage. He's 2-4 with a 5.15 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 45 strikeouts in 36⅔ innings in his sixth season with the Royals this season.

Keynan Middleton, White Sox

Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Keynan Middleton (99) reacts after an out against the Atlanta Braves in the eighth inning on July 15, 2023, at Truist Park.
Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Keynan Middleton (99) reacts after an out against the Atlanta Braves in the eighth inning on July 15, 2023, at Truist Park.

At 21 games under .500 entering Thursday night's action, the White Sox have a number of intriguing bullpen pieces they could dangle at next Tuesday's deadline.

On a one-year contract worth less than $1 million, Middleton's value for a late push is intriguing. The 29-year-old right-hander is piecing together his best season of his career, holding opponents to a .219 batting average entering Thursday while posting a 3.41 ERA (ERA+ of 130) and 1.25 WHIP in 34⅓ innings.

Middelton's fastball sits in the mid-90s but he leads with his changeup and works in a slider to produce a whiff rate in the top 2 percent of MLB.

Daniel Bard, Rockies

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Daniel Bard (52) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals on July 26, 2023, at Nationals Park.
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Daniel Bard (52) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals on July 26, 2023, at Nationals Park.

If the Mets were looking to add a high-leverage reliever to the back end of their bullpen, Bard has one of the best track records among bullpen arms who could be available at the deadline.

The 38-year-old right-hander is coming off a campaign in which he posted 34 saves. Bard has conceded the closer role to the combination of Pierce Johnson and Justin Lawrence this season but has continued to pitch effectively.

Before a blow-up on Wednesday, Bard had pitched to a 4-1 record with a 2.02 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 32 strikeouts in 35⅔ innings. A move to add Bard would be a pricey, long-term play with Bard due $9.5 million next season.

Jose Cisnero, Tigers

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Jose Cisnero (67) pitches in the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants on July 24, 2023, at Comerica Park.
Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Jose Cisnero (67) pitches in the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants on July 24, 2023, at Comerica Park.

One area that has been missing from the Mets' middle relief this season has been experience.

A move for Cisnero would provide another veteran presence, with the 34-year-old right-hander fighting to get back in the major leagues after four seasons in the minor leagues and several countries, including Venezuela and Mexico.

Over the past five seasons, Cisnero has proven he belongs. This season with the Tigers, he's struck out 43 in 38⅔ innings while posting a 110 ERA+ and 1.29 WHIP. The journeyman has two separate fastballs that linger in the mid-90s. He's on a one-year deal with the Tigers.

Michael Fulmer, Cubs

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Michael Fulmer (32) throws against the St. Louis Cardinals in London series game two on June 25, 2023, at London Stadium.
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Michael Fulmer (32) throws against the St. Louis Cardinals in London series game two on June 25, 2023, at London Stadium.

This would be a full-circle move for the Mets, who traded Fulmer in 2015 to acquire Yoenis Cespedes on their way to the World Series.

The former 2011 first-round draft pick, who won the Rookie of the Year award in 2016, struggled through injuries early in his career but has carved out a solid role as a reliever in recent seasons. This season, Fulmer has a 1-5 record with a 4.40 ERA and 1.36 WHIP.

In his two prior seasons out of the bullpen for the Tigers and Twins, Fulmer had a combined 3.18 ERA. He's on an expiring deal with the Cubs.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets trade rumors: Players to watch ahead of MLB trade deadline