New York Mets Linked to Cy Young Award Winner as Trade Deadline Target

Although the New York Mets are playing like sellers, having dropped to six games under .500 with their latest loss on Wednesday, It's hard to envision team owner Steve Cohen not being a buyer at the trade deadline.

The Mets' main issue has been their starting pitching, which could use an upgrade. The Mets' rotation has a 5.01 ERA, which is 26th in baseball.

That's why an article written by MLB insider Mark Feinsand of MLB.com linked the Mets to Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber of the Cleveland Guardians.

Bieber’s inclusion on this list isn’t an indictment of Cleveland’s postseason chances. As of Monday, the Guardians sat just 2 1/2 games behind the Twins in the AL Central. But Cleveland entered the week 33-38, and considering Bieber will be in a position to earn a raise from his $10 million salary in his final year of arbitration next winter, there’s a chance the Guardians could move him if they don’t view themselves as true championship contenders. Bieber, the 2020 AL Cy Young winner, has allowed two or fewer earned runs in nine of his 15 starts this season, throwing a league-high 95 innings.

Bieber is coming off a strong year, in which he posted a 2.88 ERA in 31 starts. He also logged 200 innings and struck out 198 batters.

This season, the righty is pitching to a 5-4 record and 3.51 ERA across 95 innings. As Feinsand mentions, Cleveland could move Bieber before his expensive final year of arbitration.

However, Bieber, who is certainly a fit in the Mets' rotation, will likely be pricey if the Guardians make him available on the trading block.

Bieber would form a three-headed monster with Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander atop the rotation, but he will cost top prospects or several. The price for Bieber might be too costly for the Mets at the deadline.

So while Bieber would instantly provide a boost in the Mets' rotation, the 28-year-old might be unrealistic as a trade option for New York.