The New York Mets might be baited into trading for an outfielder, there's no mystery they the help. Michael Bourn isn't on the market anymore since the Cleveland Indians scooped him up and they have two guys who they can move before the start of the season; Drew Stubbs or Michael Brantley.
The Mets haven't had a leadoff hitter, well, not too long ago, but after Jose Reyes signed with the Miami Marlins last season, the team has struggled to fill in the No. 1 hole in their lineup.
Stubbs was given that responsibility for some time in Cincinnati with the Reds, but many quickly noticed that he struckout at a high frequency and couldn't hit for average.
In four MLB seaons, Stubbs struckout a total of 588 times. That's an average of close to 140 per year. His rookie season was the most productive after hitting .267 in 42 games. One thing he surely possesses is speed, he stole 110 bases in his first four years, which is almost an average 30 per season.
The Mets could use this production as they need some excitement on the bases, which is something they also didn't have in 2012. The Mets were the fourth worst team stealing bases with only 79 thefts last season.
Brantley could bring more positive to the Mets. He also has four years of experience in the majors similar to Stubbs, but he is more productive.
Last season, he received the most playing time of his career participating in 149 games and getting 609 at bats. He posted a .288 batting averaged and an on-base percentage close to .350. He hit six home runs and drove in 69 runs while stealing 12 bases.
The base stealing gifts might not be there, but he can get on base. He doesn't have pop, so he won't be tempted to hit homers in Citi Field, which is something Stubb might suffer from since he does have power.
Brantley plays centerfield and has played it beautifully. In 2012 he had five assists and just one error in close to 340 opportunities posting a .997 fielding percentage. Stubbs also has a strong arm, but he committed four more errors in over 100 less opportunities.
For the Indians, if they want to move either one of these guys, Brantley can get the team more. However, the Indians do have an exciting team now. Nick Swisher could be designated as the designated hitter. The Indians' batting of the order features Bourn, Asdrubal Cabrera, Carlos Santana and Swisher, who can man the clean-up role, Mark Reynolds and Brantley.
These guys have had individual success elsewhere. They could put it together and have a ton of speed in their lineup.
The Mets can give a minor league player for Stubbs if they want to add a change in their lineup, however, they could reach a little deeper into the pockets of their farm system and give up some talent for a soon to be 26-year-old Brantley.
