MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees, Mets Could Target Same Starting Pitcher By 2021 Deadline

As the MLB trade deadline approaches, both the New York Yankees and New York Mets are expected to explore making significant upgrades to their respective rosters. That could mean vying for the same players.

With question marks all over the rotation, the Yankees are likely in the market for a starting pitcher. The Mets could go after a starter, as well, given their lack of depth in the backend of the rotation.

Minnesota Twins starter Jose Berrios is viewed as a possible target of either club. MLB.com's Mark Feinsand named Berrios as the type of pitcher the Yankees could try to acquire, and he listed Minnesota's ace as a potential fit to fill the Mets' biggest need.

Likely out of playoff contention already, the Twins have reportedly made Berrios available, albeit at an expensive price. Berrios is one of the best pitchers that could realistically be traded by the July 30 deadline.

An All-Star in 2018 and 2019, Berrios might be having the best season of his career. The 27-year-old has a 3.36 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP in 101.2 innings to go along with 106 strikeouts.

Berrios has been a consistent performer for Minnesota, averaging 32 starts for every 162 games since 2018. The right-hander has a 3.71 ERA during that span.

The Yankees’ rotation has highlighted the team’s latest struggles. Yankee starters have a 5.17 ERA over the last month. Gerrit Cole had been the team’s one reliable starter, but the ace has pitched poorly since MLB began its crackdown on sticky substances.

Well behind the first-place Boston Red Sox in the AL East, the Yankees could be hard-pressed to even compete for a wild-card spot without adding another starter.

The Mets lead MLB with a 2.96 ERA from their rotation. Jacob deGrom has been otherworldly, while Marcus Stroman and Taijaun Walker both have an ERA well below 3.00. No other Met who has started more than three games has an ERA below 4.46.

Berrios is signed through next season, making him an even more attractive option for the New York teams.