Have Mets already decided on deadline approach?

The 52-48 New York Mets shockingly began Wednesday in the wild-card portion of the National League standings after they ended May 29 at 22-33.

Some fans may want Mets owner Steve Cohen and team president of baseball operations David Stearns to go all-in on chasing more than just a postseason berth ahead of next Tuesday's trade deadline, but it seems Stearns will stick to his plan of building for the future while keeping the club competitive through at least September.

"The most likely strategy for the Mets will be to acquire a reliever or two on deadline day, July 30, without sacrificing significant prospect capital, sources say," MLB insider Andy Martino of SNY reported on Tuesday night. "...Nearly four months of baseball have clarified that the Mets are a playoff-caliber team, not inclined to drift too far above or below .500. Their most obvious need is in the bullpen, and the trade deadline is one way to address that, though it is not the only way."

While C. Trent Rosecrans and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic mentioned on Wednesday that the Cincinnati Reds are "shopping their relievers," Martino noted that the Mets could turn to in-house options such as Tylor Megill, David Peterson or Jose Butto to get "high-leverage relief outs in September and October." Some had wondered if Stearns could trade an impending free agent such as designated hitter J.D. Martinez or a starting pitcher for some big-name bullpen help, but Martino noted that "no such creative deal is currently under consideration" and is "unlikely to happen."

Martino offered his update shortly after it was learned that the Mets had placed rookie right-handed starter Christian Scott on the 15-day injured list because of a sprained right ulnar collateral ligament. Advertised Mets ace Kodai Senga is expected to make his 2024 MLB regular-season debut this Friday coming off a moderate capsule strain in his right shoulder he suffered in spring training, but it's far too early to know what Senga will provide for the remainder of the season.

In short, it appears Mike Puma of the New York Post was spot on when he wrote that the Mets acquiring right-handed relief pitcher Phil Maton from the Tampa Bay Rays earlier could "serve as a model for the type of trades Stearns can still look to orchestrate" before next Tuesday night.