The New York Mets are leading the National League West going into play on Wednesday. However, they may need some upgrades if they want to win the division.
The Mets could use an upgrade at second base. Jeff McNeil has been playing great at second base since he returned at the end of April. However, McNeil is someone who could solve the Mets’ need in center field. If the Mets could swing a trade for a productive second baseman, MecNeil could see more time in the outfield.
Luisangel Acuña has seen the most time at second base for the Mets, but he is struggling at the plate. He has a .591 OPS. Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer tabbed the Mets as a “dream” landing spot for Marcus Semien.
“Jeff McNeil has done his best to keep second base from being one of them, but nobody really expects him to sustain his .520 slugging percentage. And besides, his best role is as a rover who could also play the outfield and third base as needed,” wrote Rymer. “A trade for Semien would allow McNeil to fill such a role, and he’d be an upgrade at second if for no other reason than his double play partnership with Francisco Lindor. Since 2023, they are both top-10 infielders by Outs Above Average.”
Semien is in year four of a seven-year, $175 million deal. He is a three-time All-Star, but is struggling this season. A change of scenery and playing on a team competing to win the World Series could do him some good.
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“Some kind of readjustment seems inevitable for the Rangers, and it would be helpful if they dropped salary so they could create some luxury-tax breathing room,” wrote Rymer. “And as opposed to Corey Seager and Jacob deGrom, one of the advantages of moving Semien is that he doesn’t have no-trade protection. Even if Semien could block a trade, why would he? As he’s now 34 years old, he shouldn’t want to waste his remaining prime years playing for a team that is falling further and further from its 2023 glory.”
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