3 trade destinations for the starting pitchers the Mets are reportedly willing to deal

David Stearns might be pulling some trade deadline trickery this summer by selling a starting pitcher while also looking to compete for a playoff spot. The idea of the New York Mets trading Luis Severino feels unacceptable. Sean Manaea is someone many of us would be more open to. Jose Quintana would have volunteers for drivers.

All three veterans on expiring contracts with Manaea possessing a player option for next year are candidates to get moved. If the Mets are truly willing to subtract one while also hoping to compete for a Wild Card spot, it’s these three teams who make the most sense.

Importantly, none of the three on this list would face the Mets in the postseason until a possible World Series match. Let’s send guys to the American League.

1) Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles actually have one of the better starting staffs in MLB this season. Anchored by Corbin Burnes at the top, their problem has been keeping guys healthy. John Means and Tyler Wells were already lost for the year. Kyle Bradish was the latest to join them.

This hasn’t stopped the Orioles from winning and making New York Yankees fans sweat. From top to bottom, this feels like a team that could win it all. Some starting pitching reinforcements, however, might be necessary to get through the last three months of the season.

The best fit for Baltimore is probably Severino whose upside and familiarity with the American League must have some sort of advantage. Severino pitching against the Chicago Cubs instead of his former Yankees club this week is surely disappointing for everyone. This includes the Orioles who’d probably like to know what he could do against their biggest competition. Then again, the Yankees not getting a close look at Severino might work to everyone’s advantage.

In either case, the Orioles probably don’t want Quintana. Manaea might be someone they’d consider. Severino is a match.

2) Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins will need a little more to push themselves further into contention. They don’t have a truly electric offense and their starting rotation has underachieved outside of Joey Ryan and Simeon Woods Richardson.

The Twins could use an upgrade or at least some more starting pitching depth. Pablo Lopez and Chris Paddack haven’t been sharp. Bailey Ober, their weakest starter with minor league options, would end up as the casualty if Minnesota did add at the trade deadline in a deal with the Mets for a starting pitcher.

Quintana would actually be a bit of an upgrade for them and would give the Twins a lefty starter which they lack. Quintana instead of Ober might not be too preposterous. Quintana has pitched in plenty of big games in the past. He might not have the nastiest of stuff, but the experience is something the Twins starters lack.

Of course, if the Twins are a match for Quintana they’d also be one for Manaea who happens to throw from the left side as well. Either one could be a candidate for the Twins in an attempt to secure a playoff spot.

3) Cleveland Guardians

Not much in the United States is north of Minnesota. In the American League Central, Minnesota does have to look upward to find the Cleveland Guardians. Despite being without Shane Bieber for the season, the Guardians are once again playoff contenders and a team that seems to defy the preseason expectations many have.

Starting pitching, however, isn’t a major strength of this ball club. Ben Lively has posted the best numbers for them as the club relies on an elite bullpen centered on closer Emmanuel Clase to win games.

The staff still includes Carlos Carrasco who looked finished with the Mets last year and, quite frankly, hasn’t been much better this year with a 5.40 ERA. Any of the three Mets starting pitcher trade candidates would improve the Guardians’ rotation over him. Considering the team they are and the financial constraints, it would require the Mets to eat a portion of the salary.

Of the three pitchers the Mets could move, this might be the destination for Manaea. The big complaint about him is the inability to last long. Well, that isn’t as major of an issue in Cleveland where the bullpen carries the load. For them and any other team with interest in Manaea, the player option for next year could help or hurt his case. The $13.5 million for next season would be a bargain compared to many of his peers. The Guardians tend to prefer cheaper alternatives. Their only active player making more than $7 million is Jose Ramirez.

A little creativity might be the only way to get a deal done with them. Get Myles Straw and his $13+ million owed involved to off-set some money and a trade could get hammered out with some patience.

This article was originally published on risingapple.com as 3 trade destinations for the starting pitchers the Mets are reportedly willing to deal.