Drew Gilbert Big Trade Chip Mets Could Use Now
The New York Mets have a lot of decisions to make at the trade deadline. With Kodai Senga out for the season and Christian Scott dealing with a UCL issue, they have to decide just how much they can go in on this season.
There are some big options available that could change the dynamics of the Mets this year and the ensuing years. We see former Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell on the market, and Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skrubal potentially available.
For players like Skrubal, you have to open the farm and make a trade that hurts. Looking at the Mets farm system, they do have one top prospect who can be dealt more than others.
That is Drew Gilbert.
Keep in mind what this is, and what this isn’t. Nowhere is this saying trade Gilbert, and this is not suggesting he’s a bust. Rather, looking at the Mets future plans, he may be an odd man out.
Brandon Nimmo will be in left (or right) field through the 2030 season. Center field and second will likely be split somehow between Luisangel Acuña and Jett Williams. That would leave right field for Gilbert.
Maybe.
The Mets are already rumored to be going hard after Juan Soto this coming offseason. If that doesn’t pan out, they could keep Jesse Winker for a few years while other top prospects in Ryan Clifford make their way to the majors.
There’s also the matter of what to do with Jeff McNeil and Ronny Mauricio. Each of them could be a stopgap to buy time for other prospects. For all we know, Mauricio can claim the right field job outright.
Again, this is not saying these are better options than what Gilbert could provide. Only Soto would definitively be better. Rather, this is saying the Mets could make him available in the right trade and be able to successfully pivot.
For Skrubal, the Mets should be comfortable giving Gilbert plus. For Snell, it’s an overpay the Mets probably don’t want to pay for an ace on a bad season. There may be other options.
The Mets can change the franchise for the better at this trade deadline. They did that in trading away their aces last year to get a crop of prospects like Gilbert. Now, the question is how does Gilbert now best help this franchise.
I too have thought about potential outfield log jam but not one that’s issue until 2026. I don’t see them trading Gilbert, especially in the near term.
The log jam is only issue starting in 2026 if Mets sign Juan Soto or another established star outfielder like Kyle Tucker.next season.
I think Luis Angel is most likely to be infield/outfield utility player possibly supplanting Jeff McNeil who could be traded.
If Jett Williams returns to form after his wrist surgery, he may become primary second baseman by 2026. Williams as full time CF comes with disadvantage given his short stature..5’7″ Gilbert is just 2 inches taller but is built like an outfielder. However, Williams could also provide infield/outfield defensive versatility.
Mauricio doesn’t like playing outfield so he’s likely to strictly be infielder. Mets will have plenty versatility to mix and match, or make a trade. Gilbert is the only natural outfielder among the four…I think he stays.
I think Acuna would be the most likely to be traded given current shortcomings should they not change.
Mauricio will likely have to spend time again in AAA after missing a full season and earn his way back to the majors.
I Baty and McNeil are trade candidates, the former possibly today, if not in offseason along with McNeil this offseason or perhaps sometime in 2025.
If Mets don’t sign another corner outfielder long term this offseason, they’ll have additional outfield flexibility, plus DH. If they do, Marte is trade candidate, and may be even if they don’t.
If Alonso signs elsewhere, Clifford is positioned to be long term replacement by 2026. Vientos perhaps in short term if Mets are willing to move him off third base for a year till Clifford is ready. Mauricio could work his way into third baseman in full or part time role at some point in 2025.
Bottom line, Mets have a lot of options to mix and match in the next few years as needed. These things tend to work themselves out through performance, injury, platoons, minor league options, defensive flexibility, trades, etc.
This all proved to be a moot point, but I get the sense it’s something the Mets will have to revisit this offseason.