Mets' to-do list with trade deadline rapidly approaching

The Mets are already a World Series contender, and they've proven all season that they can win through adversity. But if they want to put themselves in the best position to win it all, they'll need reinforcements.

The trade deadline is Aug. 2, and the Mets -- whose moves during the offseason announced that they were going for it in a big way -- have several needs they should be looking to fill.

Let's break it down...

BULLPEN HELP

Aside from Edwin Diaz and Adam Ottavino, the Mets' bullpen has more questions than answers.

Seth Lugo has been inconsistent and no longer has the kind of stuff that makes him a legitimate setup option, Drew Smith has regressed in a big way, and Joely Rodriguez has struggled badly.

The return of Trevor May, which appears imminent, could be huge. And if May -- who pitched through an injury earlier this season -- comes back as the pitcher who excelled for most of last season, it will be a boon for the back end of the 'pen.

But the Mets can't simply rely on May returning to form, and must be aggressive when it comes to upgrading their bullpen via trade with at least one (and preferably two) pitchers who can be relied on in close and late situations.

Ideally, the Mets will add a right-hander (Michael Fulmer of the Detroit Tigers and David Robertson of the Chicago Cubs could be fits) and lefty (Andrew Chafin of the Tigers would be ideal). 

Fulmer, Robertson, and Chafin are free agents after the season and playing for teams that are going nowhere this season, so they're all very likely to be dealt.

ANOTHER BAT

Adding Daniel Vogelbach, who has mashed right-handers this season to the tune of a .261/.367/.528 clip, should be a big help. But the Mets shouldn't be satisfied just yet.

Despite adding Vogelbach, the Mets were still scouting Baltimore Orioles OF Trey Mancini, SNY's Andy Martino reported over the weekend. So New York is clearly still looking to upgrade an offense that has sagged recently.

If the Mets were to land Washington Nationals DH/1B Josh Bell, it could create a bit of a positional redundancy with both Bell and Vogelbach best suited to DH. But the Mets have been carrying Dominic Smith and J.D. Davis for most of the season (two guys who have been primarily used as designated hitters), so perhaps they'll fit Bell in -- though talks are not hot.

Ideally, the Mets will acquire a hitter with some positional versatility. Mancini fits that bill, as does Andrew Benintendi of the Kansas City Royals, Ian Happ of the Cubs, and old friend Brandon Drury of the Cincinnati Reds.

One other player to monitor is J.D. Martinez, who could potentially become available with the Boston Red Sox in a tailspin.

Martinez, who is hitting .302/.368/.481 with nine homers and 30 doubles in 81 games this season, is set for free agency after the year.

A CATCHER

The Mets' catching duo at the moment is Tomas Nido and Patrick Mazeika, players who have done their best while splitting the starting role, but who are both backups.

Beyond Nido and Mazeika is Michael Perez, whom the Mets just acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates. And while Perez has a bit of pop (he has hit six homers this season), he has slashed just .150/.209/.318 and does not come close to profiling as a starter.

For those clamoring for Francisco Alvarez to be called up from Triple-A Syracuse, there is close to zero shot he'll be promoted and asked to catch. That's just too much to put on the plate of a 20-year-old.

That leaves the Mets with the trade market. And with Alvarez likely taking over as the starter next year, they should be looking for someone who is a rental.

A near-perfect rental, Willson Contreras, is currently playing for the Cubs and is almost certain to be dealt. But with Contreras expected to be a hot commodity, will the Mets be willing to meet the Cubs' price? And should they?