The New York Mets' recent surge has left their future at the trade deadline somewhat into question. A month ago it was clear the team needed to have a firesale and start over. Now as they flirt with wildcard relevance their intentions are far less clear.
If the Mets decide to sell and can look past helping a division rival, the Braves should be interested in Harrison Bader. The outfielder should be relatively inexpensive when considering his career and the fact that it would be a rental with the contract expiring at season's end.
Bader has been a surprise contributor for New York and is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career. Adding Harrison would be a huge upgrade after any Braves outfielder in the current lineup not named Jared Kelenic.
Harrison Bader greatly improves the Atlanta Braves bench and offers cheap depth
The Mets and Braves have an extensive trade history suggesting both teams are capable of looking past the rivalry to get a deal done. Bader's value isn't in his offensive production alone but in upgrading your defense and offering a consistent threat on the bases.
Bader isn't an elite base thief but is a consistent threat. Atlanta would be bolstering their depth and helping an offense that has looked consistently lost since the first month of the season. Looking at possible compensation the Braves are unlikely to have to part ways with anything of note.
Harrison Bader on the run for the first out! pic.twitter.com/492TSPiCTi
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 10, 2024
Hader's contract is reasonable and expiring. If the Mets decide they are going to sell Bader isn't the piece they will be looking to get a great return on.
Adding Bader to the current Atlanta outfield would offer you some combination of Eddie Rosario, Adam Duvall, Jared Kelenic, and Ramón Laureano. It wouldn't prevent the Braves from continuing to look for a bigger offensive upgrade and would be a seamless fit into the current lineup.
With Michael Harris returning at some point, the starters would likely be Harris, Kelenic, and a Bader/Rosario/Duvall platoon with Snitker rolling with the hot hand. This isn't a World Series-winning move but it unquestionably helps the outfield and aids a struggling lineup.
The Mets helping the Braves postseason push might seem unlikely but the potential fit and trade history for both franchises suggest otherwise.