Mets could lose All-Star catcher to NL West contender; Yankees not on the radar

In Eppler they trust.

Billy Eppler has assembled a playoff-contending roster for the Mets.

The club put together by New York’s first-year general manager owns the best record in the National League (44-24) and a 5.5-game lead over the Atlanta Braves (38-29) in the National League East.

But if Eppler wants to build a World Series winner, he will need to wheel and deal ahead of the Aug. 2 trade deadline. So he continues to be linked to one of the best players on the market.

Per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale:

Baseball executives are predicting that the most natural fit for the Cubs’ All-Star catcher Willson Contreras are the San Diego Padres, who badly need offensive help, and love their star players. Contreras is a free agent at the end of the season, seeking at least $100 million, and most teams are expected to balk at the asking price for a rental. The New York Mets, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays and San Francisco Giants also are possibilities for Contreras.

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The 30-year-old Contreras, a two-time All-Star, is hitting .283 with 12 home runs this season.

Early trade rumor buzz also had Contreras linked to the New York Yankees. But with Jose Trevino hitting a career-best .283, and with Kyle Higashioka clubbing four home runs in his last four games, talk of Contreras to the Bronx has subsided.

MORE MLB:

– MLB Draft 2022: Yankees, Mets pick big-time high school arms in latest 1st-round mock

– Plenty of ex-Yankees (and a couple of current ones) are on the trade market

– Bob Costas uses Yankees’ Aaron Judge to make a point about Phil Mickelson, LIV Golf

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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.

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