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2015 didn't treat the New York Mets well early. They lost starter Zack Wheeler for the year to Tommy John surgery and Mets fans felt like it was going to be another one of "those" years. With Matt Harvey coming back and Michael Cuddyer added to the offense, the front office felt like the club could get by without Wheeler.
With a little help from an 11-game winning streak at the beginning of the season, the Mets sit at 36-32 and in first place of the National League East. They hold a 1.5 game lead on the Washington Nationals, a preseason favorite for the World Series. Injuries have plagued the Mets during the season as well. David Wright has been out. They have been without Travis d'Arnaud for a period of time. Jerry Blevins has been missing from the bullpen and Jenrry Mejia has been suspended. Oh, and Daniel Murphy has been out as well. Yet the Mets are in first place and have started to get some of these pieces back.
Who are some likely candidates for the Mets to acquire?
When the season started, shortstop was the top priority for an upgrade. Wilmer Flores has been quite the surprise, despite his defensive limitations. While only hitting .246, Flores does have 10 home runs and 32 RBis in 239 plate appearances.
Instead, the Mets have shifted their focus to replacing David Wright during his absence. When Wright returns, the hope is that whoever they acquire can shift to another position. Ben Zobrist has been the most talked about name for what the Mets have been looking for. Martin Prado has also been mentioned as a possibility. The pipe dreams of acquiring a Troy Tulowitzki are just that, dreams. They have talked to the Brewers, whether it is about Jean Segura or Aramis Ramirez.
Zobrist has a OBP of .339 with a wRC+ of 113. He is also just coming off of meniscus injury, which has diminished his value. Billy Beane is known for getting a good return for players, but with Zobrist being a rental player it may be a little hard for Beane to get over-the-top value for him.
The Mets are in a position to make the playoffs for the first time in 2006, albeit while playing without a chunk of their roster. If they can acquire one bat to go with getting some of those players back, they will be able to play a playoff game at Citi Field for the first time since it was opened and to make it finally feel like home.