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There is a "high degree of probability" the Mets will make at least one trade in the next 24-48 hours, reports Adam Rubin of ESPN New York. At least five of the team's players are going through the waiver process at the moment.
Rubin lists catcher John Buck, outfielder Marlon Byrd and left-handed reliever Pedro Feliciano as candidates to be traded. "Major League players under the organization's control beyond this season also are being included in discussions of potential trades," adds the ESPN scribe.
Buck, 33, is hitting .215/.285/.367 (84 OPS+) with 15 home runs in 101 games this year, though he recently lost his starting job to top prospect Travis d'Arnaud. He is due to become a free agent at the end of the season. Contenders like the Athletics and Tigers are dealing with catching injuries and could seek depth behind the plate.
Byrd is having a career year at age 35, hitting .285/.330/.518 with 21 homers in 117 games. His 136 OPS+ ranks sixth among the 50 outfielders with enough playing time to qualify for the batting title. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports Byrd was claimed off trade waivers, which is no surprise considering his production and salary ($700,000 for the season). The Mets are only able to negotiate a trade with the team that claimed the outfielder.
Feliciano, 37, has appeared in 10 games since returning to the big leagues after missing most of the last three years with shoulder surgery. Lefties are 3-for-17 (.176) with four strikeouts against him so far. Left-handed relievers are always in demand and Feliciano will earn just the pro-rated portion of a $1 million base salary, so there's a very good chance he'll be claimed as well.
Among the "Major League players under the organization's control beyond this season" who could be trade bait are first baseman Ike Davis, first baseman/outfielder Lucas Duda and left-hander Scott Rice. That is just my speculation, however.
The Mets have summoned catcher Anthony Recker, outfielder Matt den Dekker and lefty Robert Carson from Triple-A Las Vegas according to Rubin. They have not yet been added to the roster, rather the team just wants them in New York so they can so they can activate them as soon as trades are made.
At 58-71, the Mets are 14.5 games out of a playoff spot and look poised for a fifth straight fourth place finish in the NL East. They lost ace Matt Harvey to an elbow ligament injury that may require Tommy John surgery on Monday.
Teams have until August 31 to acquire a players and have them be eligible for the postseason roster.
