The returns of Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea will help the situation immensely, but another starter could still be needed at the trade deadline. There are a lot of candidates who could make sense as durable innings-eaters for the Mets to slot into the number-three or four spot in their rotation,

In a July 2 article, The Athletic's Jim Bowden (who has worked as a GM for the Reds and the Nationals in the past) listed the New York Mets as top potential destinations for two Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers.

The Kansas City Royals are 7-2 in July so far after slugging their way to a three-game series sweep against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, July 9.

Salvador Perez homered twice, Jac Caglianone hit the longest measured homer by a Royals rookie, and Kansas City beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 to complete a three-game sweep.

The Pittsburgh Pirates battled back from an early deficit, but still missed out on a victory, losing 4-3 to the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stad