The New York Mets have contacted the Pittsburgh Pirates regarding a potential trade for starting pitcher Mitch Keller after the Chicago Cubs initially registered interest, according to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

One MLB insider believes Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar would make a lot of sense for the New York Mets.

That the Mets are asking this much out of their leverage relievers, each in back-to-back appearances no less, in early July spells out what has become clearer and clearer this past week. The Mets cannot afford to wait until the trade deadline to make a move.