With Max Scherzer expected to be sidelined for the next six-to-eight weeks after suffering an oblique injury and Tylor Megill still out because of biceps tendinitis, the Mets' starting rotation depth is about to be seriously tested.

Behind Chris Bassitt, Carlos Carrasco, and Taijuan Walker, David Peterson is going to be asked to fill one of the empty rotation spots.

Options for the other spot -- which could possibly be filled again by Megill sooner rather than later -- include Thomas Szapucki, Trevor Williams, and Adonis Medina.

The Mets getting Megill back soon (he's eligible to return from the IL on May 27) would obviously be huge since it would mean only having to patch one rotation spot long-term.

But even if Megill returns quickly, the Mets -- with Scherzer dealing with a tricky injury and Jacob deGrom making progress toward a return but not yet on a mound -- should be exploring the trade market for reinforcements.

The issue at the moment, as SNY contributor Anthony McCarron wrote about earlier this week, is that teams are simply not ready to make trades in May -- even ones who are buried in the standings and almost certain to remain there.

The trade market will thaw, though. And when it does, here are five pitchers the Mets should think about pursuing...

Frankie Montas

It's wild that Montas is still on the Oakland Athletics, who with their actions this offseason loudly announced that they were entering a rebuild and had little interest in attempting to contend this season.

The A's traded Chris Bassitt and Sean Manaea before the season, but Montas remains. And he is set to be a free agent after the 2023 season. So unless the A's think they're going to somehow contend by next season, dealing Montas at some point before this year's trade deadline is a no-brainer.

Montas is earning just a shade over $5 million this season, so if you combine his very affordable deal with another year of control in 2023, it's clear he won't be cheap to obtain. But Montas, who has a 3.67 ERA (3.39 FIP) and 1.02 WHIP with 53 strikeouts in 49 innings this season, should be at the top of the Mets' list.

Zack Greinke

Greinke signed with the Kansas City Royals this offseason as he returned to where his big league career started. But the Royals were 14-23 entering play on Friday and are likely not going to make noise in the AL Central.

Greinke is a free agent after the season, so it would make sense for the Royals to dangle Greinke on the market and see who bites.

He isn't the ace he was as recently as 2019, but he is still consistent and reliable, with a 4.02 ERA and 1.16 WHIP since 2020.

Luis Castillo

Castillo's name has been in the rumor mill since last season, but so far the Cincinnati Reds have resisted trading him. Could that change this season?

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