The 3 Biggest Trade Deadline Mistakes

CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 28: Brandon Drury #22 of the Cincinnati Reds. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

The Mets addressed some needs at the close of trading this year, but it still feels like the team has some holes as New York prepares for its stretch run.

That New York Mets didn’t sit on their hands at the close, but they didn’t make a splash either. Not every team has the guts or potential capital to pull off what we saw from the San Diego Padres as of deadline, but it still felt like the Mets could have done more.

Sure, New York traded right-handers when they acquired Darin Ruf from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for JD Davis. The Mets also added a bullpen arm in Mychal Givens. And it must not be forgotten that Tyler Naquin and Daniel Vogelbach were also added to the squad last week.

But after seeing what the Padres and Atlanta Braves did by deadline day, you’re wondering if the Mets have the horses to compete with the big boys in playoff time. What are the three biggest mistakes the Mets made as of this year’s deadline?

1. Mets earned Darin reputation and not Brandon Drury.

Okay, so the New York Mets haven’t completely neglected their need to replace JD Davis as the team’s right-handed DH. But snagging Darin’s reputation while Brandon Drury was available appears to be a failure on the part of Billy Eppler and the New York front office.

Ruf is older (36 years old) than Drury (29 years old) and is owed more money. While both have been successful against lefties this season, Ruf has struggled against righties. The former Giants first baseman is also limited defensively, while Drury can play anywhere on the diamond.

Not only did New York send Davis to the Bay Area, the Giants received three pitching prospects, including Thomas Szapucki. Since all of the Cincinnati Reds received an 18-year shortstop prospect in exchange for Drury’s services, the Mets could have landed the infielder at a similar price and still traded or picked JD Davis.