The Mets could really use a upgrade at 2B and a starting pitcher. Five teams match up pretty well with the Mets and here’s a look at them:

Baltimore Orioles: The O’s have Kevin Millwood or Jeremy Guthrie and Ty Wigginton to offer the Mets but they wouldn’t come cheap as the Orioles would likely ask for SS Ruben Tejada, 1B/OF Daniel Murphy and either Fernando Nieve or Manny Acosta. I think I would target Guthrie and make the deal if the Orioles wanted to.

Oakland A’s: The A’s have Ben Sheets and Mark Ellis which would give the Mets two solid upgrades. They would probably want SS Ruben Tejada, OF/1B Daniel Murphy, 1B/OF Chris Carter and Fernando Nieve. I would think about making that trade before saying no based on Sheets’ and Ellis’ injury history.

Kansas City Royals: The Royals have Gil Meche and Chris Getz to offer the Mets. They would probably want Josh Thole, Fernando Nieve, Manny Acosta and Daniel Murphy for them. This is a trade I would definitely consider making as Getz is a young, fast player who could play a long time with the Mets.

Cleveland Indians: The Indians have Jake Westbrook and Mark Grudzielanek. The Indians would likely be after guys like Daniel Murphy, Fernando Nieve and Manny Acosta. This would have to be another deal to really consider as the Mets could replace all of the guys they would be giving up.

Houston Astros: It’s too bad the Mets don’t have the money to go after Roy Oswalt because he would be a outstanding fit for their team. Wandy Rodriguez or Brett Myers along with Jeff Keppinger would definitely make the Mets a better team. The Astros would likely want Ruben Tejada, Josh Thole and filler types like Daniel Murphy, Chris Carter and Fernando Nieve. I would make that kind of deal for Rodriguez but not Myers.

With the current condition of the Mets’ starting rotation they need to make a move sooner rather than later or they are going to wind up being a seller at the trade deadline.

The Mets have claimed 25-year old righty swinging 2B/3B Justin Turner off waivers from the Orioles. Turner played in 5 games for the Orioles this year and he was 0 for 9 (.000 avg). He has also played in 23 games in AAA-ball this season in which he is 21 of 84 (.250 avg, .700 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 1 homer, 8 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Turner will likely get called up by the Mets if he gets off to a good start in AAA. He has played in 17 games in his major league career and he is 3 of 27 (.111 avg, .337 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 3 RBIs. This was a good move for the Mets as Turner is a pretty talented guy and they got him for nothing.

The Mets have placed 29-year old righty starting pitcher John Maine on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder weakness. Maine has started 9 games for the Mets this year and he is 1-3 with a 6.13 ERA and a 1.82 WHIP. He has allowed 47 hits (8 homers) and he has walked 25 batters in only 39 2/3 innings so the Mets knew something was wrong with him. The Mets have recalled 39-year old righty reliever Elmer Dessens to replace Maine on the roster. Dessens has pitched in 13 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball this year and he was 5-0 with 6 saves, a 2.12 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP there. He pitched in 28 games (0 starts) for the Mets last season and he was 0-0 with a 3.31 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. Dessens made his debut with the Mets last night and he was the losing pitcher against the Yankees working 2/3 of a inning while allowing 2 hits and 1 earned run.

23-year old lefty swinging 1B Ike Davis was the Mets’ #4 rated prospect heading into this season. He started the year in the minors but the Mets gave him a call in the middle of April and they threw him right into the fire. Davis has responded pretty well for the Mets so far in his major league career. Davis has played in 29 games for the Mets this season and he is 28 of 97 (.289 avg, .881 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 4 homers and 11 RBIs. He has whiffed 27 times which is a bit too many but he has also walked 17 times which is impressive for a hitter getting his first taste of the majors. The Mets would probably like Davis to drive in more runs than he is right now but that’s nitpicking and the RBIs will come if he keeps hitting the ball like he is right now.

The Mets have signed 31-year old righty swinging 1B Val Pascucci to a minor league deal and they have sent him to AAA. He has already played in 7 games in AAA-ball for the Mets in which he is 5 of 28 (.179 avg, .794 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 3 homers and 5 RBIs. Pascucci has now played in 1,131 games (over 10 years) in the minors and he is 1,072 of 3,908 (.274 avg, .882 OPS) with 700 runs scored, 196 homers, 718 RBIs and 74 stolen bases. Pascucci hopes he will get another shot at the majors. His only major league experience game with the Expos in 2004 in which he played in 32 games and he was 11 of 62 (.177 avg, .588 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 2 homers, 6 RBIs and 22 whiffs. It never hurts to give a guy like Pascucci another shot.