As the Mets look to plug in some of their noticeable gaps at next week's trade deadline, they will need to part with some youth.
NEW YORK — For David Stearns, it does not make sense to get too hung up on the splashy move at the trade deadline.
While there is a chance that some marquee names could be moved across Major League Baseball, it is important for the Mets' president of baseball operations to assess how those players can benefit his team as currently constituted.
"I think that that can get a little dangerous this time of year if we focus too much on the size of the splash," Stearns told reporters on Monday.
Stearns did not sidestep questions about the Mets' needs with a little more than a week to go until the trade deadline. He specifically mentioned the bullpen as an area of need following a litany of injuries.
That sparked another line of thinking about the Mets and their prospects. If the front office cannot strike a deal, some of their top prospects in Triple A, perhaps either Brandon Sproat or Noah McLean, could fill a major league role later this season.
"Ideally, we'd find deals that make sense, bring guys in who we think could help us," Stearns said. "If that doesn't happen for some reason, then we probably have to begin to think about some of the arms at Triple A and whether those guys, at some point, can impact us in the bullpen."
That presented the first glimpse into how the Mets view the top of their prospect pool. Those younger minor league players could be major pieces in deals to land difference makers at the major league level.
Other needs, including center field, could provide a deeper assessment of the give and take in a deal.
As the Mets sprint toward the trade deadline, here are five prospects who could add value in the right deal:
Luisangel Acuña
Position: Infielder
While not quite a prospect (Acuña has appeared in 88 major league games), he has yet to completely get a full opportunity at the big league level, where the Mets have a logjam of infielders.
Despite Acuña's wide ranging skillsets — he's an elite defender, versatile and flashes strong speed on the bases — his bat has yet to show up regularly. There have been glimpses of his explosiveness at the plate but he's slashing just .242/.292/.285.
With some gaudy tools and at age 23, Acuña could provide an immediate spark if he's dealt to the right team.
Jesus Baez
Position: Infielder
The Dominican Republic native, who is now 20 years old, has already been in the Mets' system for nearly four seasons after signing an international deal in 2022. He has the ability to play at either position on the left side of the infield.
The Mets' No. 7 prospect, could be an flashy add for a team that could stomach a few more years of development. In his second season in High-A Brooklyn, Baez is slashing .254/.347/.415 with nine home runs, 11 doubles, 41 RBIs and 42 runs in 65 games this season.
Blade Tidwell
Position: Right-handed pitcher
The former 2022 second-round pick proved that he had enough seasoning to make his major league debut earlier this season. After allowing six earned runs in 3⅔ innings in his debut, Tidwell improved and secured his first win on July 2 when he held the Brewers to three earned runs in 4⅓ innings of bulk relief.
The Mets' No. 14 prospect has a fastball that sits around 96 mph and a diverse repertoire that can be chiseled. He's 6-4 with a 4.40 ERA at Triple A Syracuse this season and is one of the more ready prospects in the Mets system.
Drew Gilbert
Position: Outfielder
Gilbert was one of two prizes for the Mets in the 2023 trade deadline deal that sent Justin Verlander to the Astros. The outfielder's 2024 minor league season was abbreviated due to a hamstring injury but he's shown off his upside at Triple A Syracuse this season. He's slashing .236/.342/.415 with 10 home runs, 41 RBIs and 42 runs.
The former first round pick out of the University of Tennessee brings his best value with his legs and arm in center field.
Nate Dohm
Position: Right-handed pitcher
Dohm, who was drafted by the Mets in the fourth round in last year's draft out of Mississippi State, has been one of the biggest risers in the team's minor league ranks. Since moving up to High-A Brooklyn this season, the 22-year-old righty has a 2.87 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 31⅓ innings for the Cyclones.
Dohm's fastball and slider are viewed as his best weapons and the key for him as he grows could be his durability after dealing with a forearm strain in college.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets prospects on trading block as MLB trade deadline approaches
Category: Baseball
