The New York Mets have the best record in Major League Baseball (45-24) and hold a five-and-a-half game lead in the National League East.
The Mets have been the best pitching team, boasting a team ERA of 2.80. The next closest team is the San Francisco Giants with a 3.14 team ERA.
New York has dealt with injuries to their lefty relievers and only have Jose Castillo on the active roster. Castillo has been good, but the Mets can do better.
The Mets should look to make an upgrade and could call the Baltimore Orioles if they decide to sell at the trade deadline.
Left-hander Keegan Akin would be a nice fit in the Mets bullpen and should be available in the coming weeks.
Akin, 30, has pitched well despite Baltimore’s 27-40 record. In 31 appearances (three starts), Akin is 1-0 with a 2.79 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.
Akin doesn’t throw hard, but his changeup has been unhittable this season.
“Hitters are 0-for-24 with eight strikeouts this season against Akin’s changeup and have a .095 expected batting average against the pitch,” wrote Newsweek’s Andrew Wright.
The Mets have some hard-throwing relievers that would pair nicely with Akin, so if the Mets don’t opt to trade for Aroldis Chapman from the Boston Red Sox, Akin seems like the best fit in Queens.
