Mets Mock Trade Sends Mark Vientos To Arizona For $18 Million Merrill Kelly

There have been a lot of rumors connected to New York Mets infielder Mark Vientos. The Mets are reportedly open to cutting ties with Vientos in order to land the player they need on the trade block.

But it’s tough to pinpoint what kind of deal the Mets could use Vientos in. One of the bigger holes on the roster is the starting rotation, which could be where the Mets use their young infielder as trade bait.

FanSided’s James Nolan recently suggested the Mets could consider cutting ties with Vientos in a deal to acquire Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly at the trade deadline.

“Merrill Kelly of the Arizona Diamondbacks has been floated around in trade rumors the past few weeks, and he’d be a great fit in Mendoza’s rotation. The 36-year-old has pitched to a 9-6 record with a 3.22 ERA,” Nolan wrote. “He’ll be a free agent after the season, and Arizona would be foolish to let him go for nothing. They would likely love to have a young player with Vientos’ potential, and the Mets would love to add an arm like Kelly to go all in for this season.”

This would be a very bold move to make. If the Mets can net something else in return, this would make sense, but it’s hard to imagine a Vientos-for-Kelly trade aging well for New York.

Kelly’s been great this year, and he would be a very welcome addition to the Mets’ rotation, but his contract expires at the end of the season. Rentals are risky in general, but if the Mets are going to cut ties with Vientos, it’s hard to imagine they’d do it for a rental.

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