New York Mets: 5 Players That Could Be Traded At Deadline

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Apr 8, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Rafael Montero (50) throws against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning at Nationals Park. The Washington Nationals won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Like Wheeler, Montero is currently injured. Unlike Wheeler though Montero looks like he will return this season. He has been out since late April with shoulder inflammation, but recently made his way back to the mound. Tuesday he pitched an inning with the Gulf Coast League, marking his first game action since April. If he can prove to be healthy and ready to go, he could be the biggest trade chip the Mets have to offer at the deadline.

Montero has fallen behind the other young pitchers the Mets have in the pecking order, despite getting the first chance out of Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz, Jacob deGrom and himself. He has flashed at times at the major league level, but hasn’t been given a consistent chance yet with the team as a starter, and more than likely never will, at least not this season. Because of that, he is the person the Mets are most willing to trade of their younger arms.

Montero started the season in the Mets’ bullpen to start the season, but quickly found himself making a spot start at the end of April. That was the last time we saw Montero thus far this season, as he has been recovering from his shoulder inflammation since. He will have two weeks to show that he is healthy, and if he is able to do that, the Mets could find it easier to land a bat at the deadline.

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While his stats don’t yet jump off the page, he has shown good stuff at the major league level, striking out more than a batter an inning thus far in his short career. He does have to improve on his command though, as he walks way too many players at the major league level, something he only has a problem there. In the minors, Montero was dominant, registering a 2.76 ERA in his minor league career with only 2.1 BB/9 and 4.09 K/BB ratios. Those numbers have yet to translate to the major league level, at least the walks, and is a big reason for his inflated ERA and WHIP numbers currently.

Once he is able to get that in check, the rest of his numbers will come more in line with what he was doing in the minors. Is there a team willing to take him on currently? He will need to show that he is healthy, and if he is able to do that, he could be the main piece in a trade package from the Mets. He is still only 24-years old currently, with plenty of upside remaining. He just needs a team to give him an opportunity. Maybe a team such as the Oakland Athletics or the Cubs would take on Montero, as both teams have some hitting to offer in return for the Mets young pitcher.

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New York Mets: 5 Players That Could Be Traded At The Deadline

By Kenneth Teape | Jul 16, 2015

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