Mets trade rumors: Mets prospects could become trade chips as deadline approaches

In fewer words, the Mets front office has made it relatively clear that they have no interest in trading their big four starting pitchers: Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, Steven Matz, and Noah Syndergaard. So instead, any trade will likely come through the steady stream of prospects making their way through the farm system. Marc Carig of Newsday tossed out a few names that he's heard could be dealt; the word could is key here. None of these, in any combination, will bring in a big haul (say, Troy Tulowitzki?), but with their pitching, the Mets don't necessarily need a big haul. They just need a few more runs.

Brandon Nimmo

In 285 plate appearances between High-A St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton this season (four games in St. Lucie and 60 games in Binghamton), center fielder Nimmo has hit .275/.347/.361 and played in the Futures Game during the All-Star break. Last year, when Juan Lagares looked untouchable in center field, Nimmo seemed to have his path to the majors completely blocked, but a nagging injury and subpar offense has likely made Lagares's future less secure.

Amazin' Avenue's Jeff Paternostro wrote extensively about Nimmo here.

Gavin Cecchini

Shortstop Cecchini is hitting .305/.368/.440 in 353 plate appearances in Double-A Binghamton this season, which could surely make him an offensive powerhouse for the Mets (only slightly kidding). With Wilmer Flores's deficiencies well documented at shortstop, Cecchini's name was tossed around as a possible replacement, but he's still young.

Cecchini was named Amazin' Avenue's midseason No. 4 prospect.

Michael Fulmer

Where have we heard this one before? Fulmer is a dominant starting pitcher making his way through the Mets' system, going 4-2 in Binghamton this season with a 2.16 ERA and 1.147 WHIP. After battling through seemingly endless injuries, Fulmer finally seems to be on track, but if there's one thing the Mets don't need at this very moment, it's another starting pitcher.

Fulmer was named Amazin' Avenue's midseason No. 8 prospect.

Matt Reynolds

The spring training golden boy, shortstop Reynolds has hit .270/.327/.410 in Triple-A Las Vegas this year. He's cooled off offensively lately, but seems to be getting back on track. The major league middle infield is still murky and Reynolds could help in the future, but the Mets have shown reluctance to throw him into the lion's den right now.

Robert Gsellman

Gsellman is another Mets starting pitcher whose path seems unfortunately blocked by a dominant major league rotation. He has a 2.80 ERA and a 1.142 WHIP in 17 games between St. Lucie and Binghamton this year.

Gsellman was named Amazin' Avenue's midseason No. 5 prospect.

Luis Cessa

Cessa floated around the infield until switching to pitching in 2011, so his advancement has been slower than most. He's put up decent numbers this year as a starter between Binghamton and Las Vegas, with a 2.98 ERA and a 1.266 WHIP.

Jhoan Urena

Urena, a third baseman, has seen his numbers drop off since being promoted to Binghamton this year (.215/.255/.268 in 157 plate appearances), but was named Amazin' Avenue's No. 14 prospect before this season.

Josh Smoker

A left-handed relief pitcher, Smoker has put up a 3.00 ERA in 25 games between Low-A Savannah, St. Lucie, and Binghamton this season with a 1.121 WHIP and an impressive 5.13 strikeout/walk rate.