The New York Mets have lost 13 of their last 16 games entering play on Tuesday. They have lost the division lead and may need to be aggressive at the deadline to turn things around.
The Mets have a few needs at the deadline, but could really use another reliable arm in the bullpen, and preferably one to set up Edwin Díaz. With few teams in a position to sell, the Mets could turn to the Baltimore Orioles for a relief pitcher. ESPN's David Schoenfield suggested the Mets trade for Félix Bautista.
"New York should think big here. Bautista has two more years of team control on a low salary, so Baltimore could get a lot in return -- and the Mets happen to be deep in starting pitching prospects, which is exactly what the Orioles need," wrote Schoenfield.
Bautista brings an electric fastball and has been great again this year. He was an All-Star in 2023 and was named Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year. He missed all of last season with an injury.
He has a 2.73 ERA on the season and 43 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings of work. After a rough stretch of outings in May, he has dialed back in. He has a 1.20 ERA in his last 15 outings.
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The Orioles are already out of contention and have clear needs to address before next season. While it may make sense for the Mets to inquire about Cedric Mullins, Bautista is a controllable arm, and having an elite bullpen may be more important for a World Series run.
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