The Max Scherzer injury was the latest blow for a New York Mets rotation already dealing with substantial losses. Now without their co-aces until after the All-Star Break, the Mets will likely need to add pitching before long.

Scherzer and Jacob deGrom aren’t the only front-line starters sidelined indefinitely. Tylor Megill is on the 15-day IL with right biceps inflammation and there isn’t a clear timeline for his return. Even when he rejoins the rotation, New York would be counting on a lot of innings from oft-injured starters Carlos Carrasco and Taijuan Walker.

According to Jon Heyman of the NY Post the Mets have recently scouted several of the rumored MLB trade candidates. Given those in-person looks happened before the injuries to Scherzer and Megill, acquiring a starting pitcher feels even more likely,

Tyler Mahle, Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds have already let teams know they are ready to continue their firesale. It’s led to numerous teams sending evaluators to take a close look at Luis Castillo and Tyler Mahle. While Castillo is the better starter, Mahle would be more affordable to acquire.

New York Mets trade: Ronny Mauricio, Joel Diaz, Calvin Ziegler, Dominic Smith

Cincinnati Reds trade: Tyler Mahle

Using Baseball Trade Values, this deal slightly favors the Mets. However, Cincinnati is looking for rebuild pieces and this deal provides just that. Dominic Smith is under contract through 2024 and provides a nice left-handed bat for the Reds’ lineup. Ronny Mauricio is the headliner in this deal, giving Cincinnati a future long-term infielder.

As for the Mets, Mahle would fit in nicely. After surrendering 16 earned runs and 11 walks in April, the 27-year-old righty has settled down. He owns a 2.60 ERA over his last three starters, including a 27.3% strikeout rate with a 0.81 WHIP. Moving to a more pitcher-friendly ballpark could help him maintain the form we’ve seen the past two seasons (3.72 ERA in 227.2 IP), allowing him to function as a mid-rotation starter through 2023.