MLB trade rumors: Mets ‘open for business,’ willing to sell veterans

The Mets are “open for business” on the trade market and will try to sell off key veterans, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney. Olney lists outfielders Curtis Granderson and Jay Bruce, infielder Asdrubal Cabrera and reliever Addison Reed as veterans who could be moved before the July 31 trade deadline.

Cabrera has requested a trade after being shifted to second base, though the future of the other veterans is less clear.

New York currently sits 12 games back of the NL East-leading Nationals with a 31-41 mark after being ravaged by multiple key injuries throughout the season. They were said to be on the fence about buying or selling in July, though a recent 4-game losing streak (and 2-8 record in their last 10 games) appears to have sealed their fate as sellers.

Out of the trade candidates mentioned, Bruce and Reed will likely bring back the biggest haul due to their solid seasons to this point. Granderson has struggled to a .225/.315/.437 line at the plate, but is viewed as a strong clubhouse veteran on an expiring deal. Cabrera has dealt with injury issues of his own, and the Mets may have trouble finding a taker on a market with few clubs looking for help at shortstop.

Like Reed, Granderson and Bruce, first baseman Lucas Duda and reliever Fernando Salas are free agents after the season. Those three players will likely be discussed in trade talks as well.

New York’s willingness to deal comes after two trade deadlines at which they were buyers, acquiring Yoenis Cespedes from the Tigers two years ago and Bruce last summer.