The New York Mets are off to a fantastic start in the 2022 season. Despite being without ace Jacob DeGrom for the entire season and losing big-ticket free agent Max Scherzer for over a month, the team still has one of the best records in baseball. Yet, that doesn’t mean this roster is beyond making improvements.

The team already has Scherzer back in the rotation and DeGrom is nearing a return but the team is still rumored to be targeting Cincinnati Reds starter, Luis Castillo. The Mets bullpen has been pretty good this season, but we have seen over the last 20 years how important bullpens become in the postseason. This means you can never have enough strong arms in that part of the staff.

Third baseman Eduardo Escobar has delivered in the power department, but he is still hitting near the Mendoza line and you want to limit unproductive outs in the batting order come playoff time. However, the catcher position has delivered much less in the lineup and 2021 free agent addition James McCann has had a horrid and injury-filled season. Improving the back stop spot might be a necessity from outside or within.

The designated hitter is another area in need of an upgrade and the team has been linked to possible deals for veterans Nelson Cruz and Trey Mancini. There are several ways the Mets could go before the August 2 trade deadline.

Here are three possible deals the New York Mets could make to increase their chances of bringing a World Series title back to flushing for the first time since 1986.

Mets go big to improve the catcher spot with Willson Contreras

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras may be one of the most sought-after talents at the trade deadline as a top-flight rent-a-player before he heads into free agency. This means the Mets will have a lot of competition before Aug. 2 and they will need to give up some serious value from the minor leagues. However, if they really want to push for a chance at winning a championship, he would be the most fitting move to strengthen a position they have lacked offensive productivity from all year.

Mets get: Willson Contreras

Nationals get: Ronny Mauricio, Mark Vientos, and Mike Vasil

Some Mets fans might say top prospect and catcher Francisco Alvarez should be the answer. Unfortunately, Mets brass doesn’t want to throw their top prospect into a major pennant race and have to learn to catch an elite pitching staff in high-stress months. And I can’t blame them. Contreras would be perfect try to win now and save Alvarez for all of 2023 move.

Brandon Drury brings New York Mets a 3B upgrade

Brandon Drury is having a career year for the Reds in 2022. At the midway mark, he already has or is on pace for career best stats in home runs, runs-batted-in, hits, doubles, runs, on-base percentage, average, and slugging percentage. His value is at an all-time high and there may be no better moment for the losing Reds to move him and get a pretty solid return.

Mets get: Brandon Drury

Nationals get: Carlos Rincon, Roberto Dominguez, and a player to be named later