GOING, GOING ...
METS FALL TO MARINERS IN LIKELY SWAN SONG FOR VETS
SEATTLE — The Mets are still open for business and taking calls in this game of “Let’s Make a Deal.”
With the exception of a few building blocks, just about anybody on this roster can be had heading to Monday’s 4 p.m. nonwaiver trade deadline, after a relatively tame five-week stretch that followed general manager Sandy Alderson’s pronouncement last month that many of his players, particularly those with expiring contracts, are available.
Addison Reed, Asdrubal Cabrera, Curtis Granderson and Jay Bruce are the primary pieces in play, but don’t be shocked if Neil Walker or Rene Rivera are traded to a contender.
In what could have been the last game in which most of the band was still together, the Mets lost for the fourth time in five games, 9-1 to the Mariners on Sunday.
“Things have kind of derailed our season, mostly injuries, and coming in here the beginning of the year in spring training I thought we were a World Series contender,” Bruce said. “[Trades] are a part of the game. Teams have to figure out how they want to approach the future and have to do things to try to impact 2018 on a positive note. But it is tough, because I think everybody in here wanted to be part of a run just like 2015 gave us.”
As Sunday night arrived, Lucas Duda’s departure last week in a trade to the Rays for minorleague reliever Drew Smith stood as the Mets’ only significant export. But a notable import arrived Sunday, as reliever AJ Ramos reported to the club, two days after he was acquired in a trade with the Marlins.
Reed, who has attracted interest from the Red Sox and Dodgers, among others, remains the Mets’ No. 1 trade chip and is almost certain to be dealt. Multiple teams remain interested in Cabrera, according to sources, but trade talks involving Bruce and Granderson have gained less traction.
Reed said he will treat Monday like a normal off day.
“I’m ready to pitch for the New York Mets, and until I hear otherwise nothing changes,” Reed said.
Though players can be dealt in August (though they must first pass through waivers) the buildup and tension revolves around July 31, the equivalent of Christmas Eve in the retail industry.
“Certainly I will be glad to get [Monday] behind us,” manager Terry Collins said.
Seth Lugo gave his team little chance Sunday, allowing five earned runs over five innings, as the Mets (48-55) whiffed in their attempt to win the weekend series.
Nelson Cruz’s three-run homer in the first was the early spoiler, before the Mariners extended their lead in the second, when Yoenis Cespedes lost a ball in the sun. Robinson Cano’s RBI double gave the Mariners a 5-0 lead.
Lugo (5-3) surrendered five earned runs on eight hits over five innings for a second straight lackluster start. But the Mets will take the fact the right-hander has stayed healthy after missing twoplus months to begin the season with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament.
James Paxton frustrated the Mets by firing six shutout innings in which he allowed six hits and struck out eight. The lefty received defensive help from Leonys Martin, whose diving catch on Granderson’s shot to right field in the second saved at least one run. Martin then homered in the bottom of the inning.
Ramos, wearing No. 40, entered to pitch the eighth and allowed two runs on two hits and a walk. The right-hander is expected to assume the closer’s role once Reed is traded.
“Stuff goes down to the wire,” Bruce said. “A lot could happen [Monday].”