MLB Rumors: Mets Targeting Veteran Slugger In Trade

The New York Mets are starting to get healthy again on the mound. Max Scherzer returned this week, and was full-on Mad Max, and Jacob deGrom is edging closer to his return. Now, the focus is on offense. And according to MLB Insider Jon Heyman, the Mets have Washington Nationals' veteran slugger Nelson Cruz on their radar.

Nelson Cruz is on the Mets' "radar" as a potential trade target, per @JonHeyman pic.twitter.com/G6tHWOw6qh
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) July 7, 2022

Heyman does note that Cruz's teammate Josh Bell could be an even better fit, but because he's 13 years younger (!!) and still in his prime at 29, his prospect cost would be much higher.

Although he's slowed a bit at age 42, Cruz is a 7-time All-Star, as recently as last season, and hasn't hit less than 32 home runs in a season since 2013. He's been remarkably durable as well, playing less than 140 games only once since that same 2013 season.

This year, his average is down due to a recent slump, at .239, but he's still driven in 49 runs, with 8 homers; on pace for a 90 RBI season. He could easily be reinvigorated being inserted onto a first-place team.

The Mets' other DH options, Dom Smith and JD Davis, haven't performed up to snuff this season.

Photo Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports