New York Mets prospect Drew Gilbert continues to give the front office reason to reconsider a pursuit of an impact centerfielder like Luis Robert Jr. with his torrid play in July.
On Friday, the Mets made their first notable move before next week's MLB trade deadline. Trading for Baltimore Orioles lefty reliever Gregory Soto . The acquisition addressed a major need in the bullpen and could be the first of multiple trades for relievers.
The club has also been connected to potential deals for outfielders before July 31st. They have been linked to Chicago White Sox centerfielder Luis Robert Jr. since last year. And this week, MLB insider Jim Bowden suggested the Mets should flip Mark Vientos for former New York Yankees super prospect Jasson Dominguez. But maybe the Amazin's have a better answer inside the organization?
"Drew Gilbert is now hitting .338/.403/.723 in July with six home runs in 72 plate appearances, and it sure seems like a good time to give him his first look at the major league level," Amazin Avenue reported after he went 3-4 with two homers and four RBIs on Friday.
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Last year, Gilbert was the No. 2 prospect overall in the Mets system on MLB.com . However, he has slipped to 12 this year in New York 's ever-improving system. Over the last month, the player the Mets got in the Justin Verlander trade is hitting .321 with 10 home runs. After dealing with recent hamstring issues, he seems to have regained confidence in his legs at the plate.
However, that is particularly important to the big league squad because Gilbert has played a lot of center field during his collegiate and minor league career. That is the position the front office is specifically looking to upgrade before next week's MLB trade deadline. That is why they have been linked to Robert Jr. and even Dominguez.
When healthy, Gilbert has shown the above-average speed necessary to play center. What also makes him intriguing is that it costs the team nothing while offering hope he can make an impact in the second half. A Robert Jr. trade would cost the Mets some worthwhile prospects. And while he showed special talent during an All-Star season in 2023, that may have been an anomaly. And New York could lock itself into an overpriced player for two more years in a trade.
Jeff McNeil has played surprisingly well in center this season. While he is a better pure hitter from the left side, all his power numbers come from the right. Gilbert gives the Mets a lefty platoon option or capable backup for McNeil, who can also be a base-running option late in games.
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