Kevin Kernan

Kevin Kernan

MLB

Mets shouldn’t trade young arms for a big bat

Let’s make this perfectly clear. Don’t trade any of the young pitchers, Mets.

There is too much to lose.

Dealing Bartolo Colon, however, for an offensive piece is a must.

The Mets should not make any deals involving the golden young arms that include Zack Wheeler, Jacob deGrom, Jeurys Familia, Jenrry Mejia, Vic Black and Noah Syndergaard.

The Mets finally have something going here. Yes, they need bats, but at this stage of the game, it’s not worth it to break up the young band.

Colon and the Mets were spectacular Monday night in a 7-1 whipping of the Fight-less Phils at Citi Field, lowering A.J. Burnett’s trade value in the process.

Asked if he expected a trade, Sandy Alderson said: “We have an opportunity to do a thing or two, but not inclined to at this point. I wouldn’t bet on something happening.’’

Alderson did offer this tantalizing tidbit, saying there could be a possibility of the Mets throwing some of their prospect chips together on the table down the road and making a trade for a big piece.

“That’s a possibility, in fact, to me that sounds more desirable than inching your way there and giving up prospects in more cautious transactions,’’ Alderson explained. “I wouldn’t rule that out, but it has to be the right time for the right player under the right circumstances.’’

Giancarlo Stanton might be the only player worth giving up a young arm for.AP

Short of Giancarlo Stanton, don’t give up the young arms.

As for Troy Tulowitzki, he would be a wonderful addition, but let’s face facts: The Mets, the way they are being run, cannot afford him, and for this franchise to sink that much money into a player with a history of injuries is dangerous.

Alderson was asked if the Mets could afford another $20 million player, and pointed to the fact, “We’ve got a 20 and 15,’’ referring to David Wright and Curtis Granderson.

What about $20 (million), $20 (million) and $15 (million)?

Alderson quipped, “20, 20, 15 and what 22 dwarfs?’’

Yes, that tells you where the Mets are financially for the foreseeable future. That’s the reality of the situation with Fred and Jeff Wilpon’s budget.

But that is even more reason to keep the young pitchers.

Yes, it’s difficult for the Mets to score runs and the real shame of this season is the Mets have let an opportunity slip away because they are getting such good pitching, one more hitter could make the Mets a dangerous team. They’ve won 11 of the last 14 at home, averaging 5.7 runs per game.

So where might future offense come from? Alderson pointed to a website ranking of the top 100 prospects and how the Mets have five of those prospects and four of them are position players.

“I think the overall profile of our system is changing a little bit,’’ he said, “and there is more reason to believe that we have position players as well as pitchers.’’

Those four position players, according to MLB.com, are catcher Kevin Plawecki (67), outfielders Brandon Nimmo (68) and Michael Conforto (86) and first baseman Dominic Smith (88).

The Mets need to add some offense and that’s why they need to trade Colon (10-8, 3.88). Scouts flocked to Citi Field Monday night with Colon pitching against Burnett. Burnett got crushed.

Alderson said he felt Colon, who will make $11 million next season, would have more value in the offseason. When told that comment, one scout said: “At 42?’’

The young pitchers on this staff are coming together in so many ways. Consider this comment from catcher Travis d’Arnaud, who hammered two doubles and a home run Monday night.

“I just think they all have each other’s backs, they’re all cheering for each other,’’ d’Arnaud told The Post. “A perfect example Sunday was when Jacob had guys on first and second and Vic came on and helped him out, everybody was so fired up and Jacob went right to him and thanked him. Just being great teammates, that’s what it takes.’’

The young arms are growing together.

Keep those arms together.