Start heating up that stove again because it’s officially trade rumors season! According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the New York Mets have checked in with the Baltimore Orioles on the availability of first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini.
It’s an obvious need for the Mets, who have been struggling offensively in recent weeks, with holes in the lineup at the designated hitter spot notably. Heyman added that other teams are inquiring about Mancini and that the “market is heating up” for him. The 30-year-old has spent his entire six-year career with the Orioles.
Over 68 games this year, he’s slashing .280/.356/.421 with seven home runs, 30 RBI an 30 runs. Those numbers are down from what we usually expect to see from Mancini, but he has been victimized by the Orioles outfield configuration this season like so many other hitters. Moving the left field wall back has terrorized hitters that normally capitalized on the friendly confines, Mancini included.
If the Mets wound up landing Mancini, he would likely earn a lot of time at designated hitter, meaning Dominic Smith and J.D. Davis would see their playing time decrease significantly. Heyman also mentioned Royals outfielder Andrew Benintendi and Nationals first baseman Josh Bell as potential trade targets for the Mets.