Mets trade rumors: Mets exploring market for pitching help

Despite their offensive struggles, the Mets are more likely to acquire pitching help before Major League Baseball’s August 1 non-waiver trade deadline. According to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, the Mets are considering starting and relief pitchers. Although they’re digging around for upgrades on the hill, they’re currently in “wait-and-see mode.”

One of the last teams anyone who have imagined chasing a starter could suddenly use another arm with Matt Harvey out for the season and Zack Wheeler not projected back until mid-to-late August. Both Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz are pitching through bone spurs in their pitching elbows.

DiComo floated Rich Hill’s name as a possible target, as his age (36), expiring contract, and health issues could lower the Oakland Athletics’ asking price. The resurgent lefty has a 2.06 ERA and 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings in 18 starts since last year, so he may also prove too costly for a team in need of durable depth more than a top-line arm.

If the Mets make any more moves this summer, they’ll likely bolster the bullpen. The unit has a 3.17 ERA with 9.42 strikeouts per nine, with Jeurys Familia and Addison Reed leading the way, but they could use another reliable option for the middle innings. DiComo also names two potential options, both of whom have pitched for the Mets in the past: Tyler Clippard and Joe Smith.