Mets Trade Rumors: Nelson Cruz on NY's 'Radar' Ahead of Deadline

Jon Heyman of the New York Pos t said that Nelson Cruz is on the radar of the New York Mets.

The cost for Nationals first baseman Josh Bell may be too high, according to Heyman. Cruz might be a more realistic target.

He signed a one-year, fifteen million dollar deal with Washington that includes a sixteen million dollar option for the next twenty years. It's safe to assume he'll be playing somewhere else before the August 2 trade deadline because the Nats are last in the NL East at 30-54.

Matt Weyrich @ByMattWeyrich

Nationals weren’t willing to deal their big-name stars Scherzer or Turner to the Mets at the trade deadline last year. Would they be more open to trading Nelson Cruz to their division rival this year? Seems plausible. https://t.co/O9RmnNGIA1

Cruz isn't hitting the ball like he usually does. Through 76 games, he has eight home runs and 46 runs scored. His batting average is on pace to be his lowest in seven years.

On the road, the four-time Silver Slugger winner has a worse batting average than at Nationals Park.

It makes sense for the Mets or another contender to trade for Cruz in the hope that he will improve his production.

New York is ninth in wOBA and sixth in w RC+. Acquiring Cruz wouldn't guarantee the team a World Series triumph, but it could provide enough of a boost to the offense to widen the gap.