Kris Bryant Sam Greene via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Mets to target Kris Bryant, Jose Berrios ahead of trade deadline?

The first-place New York Mets dropped two of three to the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates over the weekend. They now lead the Philadelphia Phillies by only two games in the National League East standings, and both ace Jacob deGrom and shortstop Francisco Lindor went down to injuries this weekend. 

Per Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated, the Mets are looking to make a "big splash" before the July 30 trade deadline and could target Chicago Cubs slugger Kris Bryant and Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Jose Berrios. Ragazzo added the Mets are willing to exceed the luxury tax for the right player(s) but don't want to lose top-rated prospects Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty for Bryant. It's also possible the Mets could ask the Cubs to add a pitcher in a trade involving Bryant. 

Bryant is hitting .268 with 16 home runs and 47 RBI, and he'd likely be just a rental for the Mets. Berrios, meanwhile, is 7-3 with a 3.48 ERA on the season. Per Phil Miller of the Star Tribune, Berrios is eligible for free agency after the 2022 campaign and will be looking to sign a big contract either beforehand or once he hits the market. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Orioles to promote yet another top prospect
NFL insider shares bold take about potential Tom Brady comeback
Yankees' Juan Soto discusses struggles of Aaron Judge
Sixers to file grievance over officiating following Game 2 loss to Knicks
Pair of NBA stars fume over officiating after playoff losses
A 20-year LeBron James NBA Playoffs streak is over
Heat's postseason chances suffer huge blow with latest Jimmy Butler news
Watch: Jamal Murray rips out the Lakers' hearts with buzzer-beater
Watch: Unbelievable sequence helps Knicks steal Game 2
Watch: Auston Matthews goal leads to Maple Leafs tying series against Bruins
Mark Stone's return sparks Golden Knights to 4-3 win over Stars
Watch: Hurricanes score twice in nine seconds for comeback win
Sean Payton tries another Wilson at QB as Jets trade Zach to Broncos
Nets officially hire Jordi Fernandez as head coach
Yankees manager Aaron Boone reacts to 'embarrassing' ejection
Position group each NFC team must hit on in NFL Draft
Position group each AFC team must hit on in NFL Draft
Streaking Scottie Scheffler wins again, claims RBC Heritage title
49ers GM addresses future of Brandon Aiyuk amid trade rumors
Week 10 NASCAR power rankings: 2012 Cup champ races up the ladder

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.