Mets acting GM Zack Scott says dealing inside division is no obstacle ahead of trade deadline

Could a Mets trade for Max Scherzer be days away?

It’s speculation that would have sounded ridiculous a few months ago; in some ways, it still does. But with the Nationals dropping toward the National League East basement and Scherzer heading toward free agency after this season, it makes sense for the first-place Mets to be in on the Scherzer sweepstakes.

Mets GM Zack Scott has no issue striking a deal within the division. He didn’t go into specifics, but of course the Nationals would demand a big return for their three-time Cy Young award winner.

“I don’t have any problem dealing within our division,” Scott said on Monday. “Some other teams may feel differently. I have no idea. We have to look at what’s best for the club in the short and long term, and sometimes dealing within the division is a way to do that.

Scott said his priority, four days out from Friday’s trade deadline, is still starting pitching. The addition of veteran Rich Hill didn’t change the front office’s intention, and the rotation’s recent inconsistency only further emphasizes the club’s need for an arm or two.

It’s been a revolving door for Mets starters amid an onslaught of injuries. Jacob deGrom is on the injured list nursing his fifth malady of the season. David Peterson broke his foot while walking and will have surgery that might end his 2021 campaign. Joey Lucchesi underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery. Carlos Carrasco has been out so far this year with a torn hamstring. Noah Syndergaard last month suffered a setback in his own Tommy John rehab.

Entering Monday, the Mets have used 16 different starting pitchers this season, the most in the majors.

“Adding Rich definitely helps, but I still think we need to improve and just have more depth there,” Scott said of the rotation. “Obviously we have some guys that we think are on the cusp of returning to the team that can make a positive impact for the club. … We need to make sure we put our best foot forward in terms of getting the most pitching depth that we can. There’s still a focus on really upgrading the team in any way we can.”

COOKIE’S DEBUT

Mets fans may only believe it when they see it, but all signs point to Carlos Carrasco making his season debut this weekend.

The veteran right-hander threw three scoreless innings and punched out six batters for Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, a solid bounce back from his previous rough rehab start against Buffalo. His third rehab start seemed to be enough to assure the Mets that Carrasco is ready for big-league action.

Carrasco rejoined the Mets in Flushing on Monday, and manager Luis Rojas said the chances are “very much real” that he makes his Mets debut in front of a Citi Field crowd.

“We have the idea that he might pitch for us this weekend,” Rojas said on Monday.

Carrasco will start on extra rest if the Mets feel comfortable letting him take the mound against the Reds this weekend. New left-hander Hill will make his second start for the Amazin’s on Friday, which leaves open the possibility for Carrasco to start Saturday or Sunday.

He tore his right hamstring back in spring training while running and conditioning. Carrasco was acquired by the Mets alongside Francisco Lindor in a January trade that sent Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez to Cleveland. He will look to build off last year, when he posted a 2.91 ERA across 12 starts in the 60-game season, and help stabilize the Mets rotation.

LINDOR, DEGROM UPDATES

Francisco Lindor (right oblique strain) is still on track in his injury recovery. Scott guesstimated the star shortstop is 3-5 weeks away from coming off the IL. Oblique strains can be unpredictable, but the Mets seem to believe Lindor will be back in the lineup around the end of August or early September.

The club has filled Lindor’s hole by shifting Jonathan Villar from third to short, with Luis Guillorme filling in some days. As the trade deadline looms, the Mets would still be wise to add a short-term solution to their shortstop problem by way of Trevor Story, Javy Baez, or even Kris Bryant. Though Scott said the team “fully expects” Lindor to return this season, he is open-minded about acquiring a shortstop this week.

Jacob deGrom (right forearm tightness) is slowly ramping back up, but the Mets do not yet have a timeline for a potential rehab start or when he could come off the IL. DeGrom threw a “light” side session on Saturday, played catch on Monday, and the expectation is he will have another light side in the next 1-2 days, per Rojas.

“We’re keeping it short range,” Rojas said on deGrom’s progression timeline. “He felt good yesterday, that’s a big step.”

KUMAR ROCKER STILL UNSIGNED

The Mets’ 2021 first-round pick, stud pitcher Kumar Rocker, remains the only draft pick who has not yet signed with the team. Scott declined to comment on Monday when asked for an update on Rocker’s situation, but the Mets have until Sunday to work out a deal.

“I’m not going to comment on any drafted players,” Scott said. “As you guys know there’s an August 1 signing deadline. Our plan is to address all 20 players’ situations at that time, so we’re not going to comment on any individual one of them right now.”

Rocker, a right-hander from Vanderbilt seemingly built for the New York spotlight, was selected No. 10 overall in this year’s draft.