In a paltry market for righty hitting, can the Mets capitalize with Luis Robert and Tyrone Taylor?

NEW YORK — The Nationals’ trade of infielder Curtis Mead for left-handed starter Connelly Early from the Red Sox confirmed what many thought going into the trade deadline: It’s going to be expensive to trade for a right-handed bat.

So how can the Mets capitalize on that market?

Right-hand-hitting outfielders, in particular, are hard to find. By wRC+, righty outfielders are having their worst offensive season since 1883, which barely even counts. In Luis Robert Jr. and Tyrone Taylor, the Mets have a pair of right-handed outfielders on expiring deals who could plug holes for contenders.

Acquired in the winter for Luisangel Acuña, Robert has once again struggled to get on the field in 2026, missing close to three months with a back injury. Since his return last week, he’s hit a pair of home runs, including one that traveled more than 450 feet in Milwaukee.

It’s a reminder of how much power Robert can provide — a power he’s trying to tap into more than he did in April.

“Honestly, the mentality has been different for me,” Robert said through interpreter Alan Suriel on Monday. “Early on in the season, I was being more selective and taking more walks and putting the ball in play. Now my mentality is to be more aggressive and slug a little bit more.

“We can do both things at the same time. I can be more selective and stay aggressive and do damage.”

Robert slugged just .329 in 24 games earlier this year before his back injury. He was walking more than 13 percent of the time — perhaps too much of an improvement.

“You want that power to play. You want to put plate discipline and a good approach on top of that but not in a way that’s costing athleticism and power and the tools,” Mets director of hitting Jeff Albert said. “It was maybe in between on that early on.”

Albert and interim manager Andy Green pointed to Robert still drawing a critical walk as a pinch-hitter in Sunday’s come-from-behind win over the Dodgers as proof the approach is working.

Robert is still a tantalizing player, even if his recurring physical issues and his contract will limit the return somewhat. Ever since Robert came back, the Mets have been playing him two out of every three days. He’s owed $5.9 million for the rest of the season after the trade deadline, plus at least a $2 million buyout on his $20 million club option for 2027. (The Mets, obviously, would have little interest in exercising that club option.)

That Robert pinch-hit walk Sunday set the stage for Taylor’s go-ahead three-run homer off Evan Phillips. Taylor’s recent run of power has been less expected than Robert’s. Since returning from a hip injury in late June, Taylor is 13-for-34 with five homers, four doubles and an OPS north of 1.400 in part-time action. For the season, Taylor’s OPS is up to .761. While he’s unlikely to maintain this hot streak through the end of the season, Taylor has put his numbers back in line with where he was before a poor offensive 2025. From 2019 to 2024, he was a league-average hitter.

“He’s been doing good work for a long time,” Albert said. “He started making adjustments a while ago, getting behind the ball and getting his swing path back to good positions, driving the ball in the air. Combine that with a good approach and a clear mentality, and it’s been fun to see him put good games together.”

Combine that offense with solid defense at all three outfield positions, and Taylor should have real value as a fourth outfielder for a contender.

On The Athletic’s most recent Trade Deadline Big Board, the only right-handed outfielders were the Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki, Baltimore’s Taylor Ward, Toronto’s George Springer and the Angels’ Jo Adell. The Cubs would probably only move Suzuki in a need-for-need trade. The Orioles might try to buy in the mediocre American League. The Angels could hold on to Adell for another season. And Springer is more a DH than an outfielder at this point in his career.

Teams such as the Phillies, Mariners, Tigers, Astros and Diamondbacks could use a righty-hitting outfielder. For what it’s worth, Seattle has been scouting the Mets consistently over the last week.