Two fourth-place teams a combined 11 games under .500 at the time of the transactions made the boldest moves leading into Wednesday’s trade deadline.
Two days after the Mets landed Marcus Stroman from the Blue Jays, the Reds obtained Trevor Bauer from the Indians as part of a three-team deal that also included the Padres. Thus, the two best starters traded in the lead up to the deadline did not go to the Yankees or Astros or Braves — first-place clubs hungering for rotation help.
It speaks to the powers of what owners want. The Wilpons want to see the Mets as contenders, now and in 2020, so they landed Stroman.