July is coming to an end, and you know what that means – the trade deadline is looming. So, what do we want to see the Mets do? Here’s our version(s) of the perfect trade deadline.

Editor’s note: We began asking writers for responses on Thursday, just before the Mets traded for Gregory Soto.

Christian De Block

The perfect trade deadline for the Mets starts with adding a reliever, maybe two. I love the idea of acquiring a high-leverage reliever with control, considering Edwin Díaz could be a free agent in the offseason. Adding Minnesota’s Jhoan Durán and throwing in left-hander Danny Coulombe would be fantastic. I’m hoping the Mets go out and get a center fielder, ideally Luis Robert Jr. Small sample size but his bat has picked up steam in July. Seems like a change of scenery could really kickstart his career. A starter would be nice, but only at the right price. Merrill Kelly is an interesting option, he pitched well in the Diamondbacks’ run to the World Series in 2023. If not, the Mets got a couple really good prospects waiting to make their mark. Not a necessity but let’s see.

Chris Bello 

The perfect trade deadline for the Mets would be acquiring an ace, one bullpen arm, and a bat. My eyes are set on Joe Ryan and Griffin Jax to solve the first two wants, then taking a flyer on former All-Star Luis Robert to fix center field. Whether the Mets decide to hit a home run at the deadline, one fact is apparent: there is no dominant team in either league this season. The Mets should take advantage of their numerous, young third basemen and deep prospect pool to cash in for a 2025 World Series.

Brandyn Pokrass

The perfect deadline for me would be adding a high quality, high leverage arm in the bullpen(Duran, Clase, etc.) and another starter with some team control. An extra bonus would be an impact CF (Robert) or another bat to give some more length to the lineup.

Mathias Altman-Kurosaki

The Mets need multiple arms for the bullpen and a center fielder, above all. I’d like to see them get at least two of Griffin Jax, Louis Varland, and Danny Coulombe from Minnesota, and then swing a deal for Luis Robert Jr. – who’s posted an OPS around .800 over the last month and crushes left-handed pitching. To top it off, I’d like to see them go get old friend Seth Lugo back for the rotation – he likely won’t cost as much as the other starters on the market and he’s a workhorse.

Allison Waxman

Arms, arms and arms. That should be their number one priority this trade deadline, focusing specifically on the bullpen. It’s been a constant stop and go and revolving carousel of faces and names in 2025 and the Mets need to end that. Another lefty is key — Danny Coulombe is one of the more intriguing options and then pairing him with another late-inning guy like Griffin Jax or Anthony Bender.

The starting rotation feels like it’s finally coming into place with the returns of Manaea and Senga, and with Holmes’ innings concerns, maybe the Mets pick up a player a la Paul Blackburn last year? Charlie Morton?? Don’t come for me.

I don’t see them making a splurge in the hitting market, but CF is clearly in need of an offensive upgrade. The team taking a pass on someone like Cedric Mullins or a reunion with Harrison Bader feels like a possibility. The price for Robert, even though in the midst of a career slump, might be too steep for the Mets.

Overall, 2 RP are a necessity. A depth-like starting pitcher would be a nice get. An OF upgrade would help compliment the bottom of the lineup.

Patrick Glynn

My perfect deadline is trading for Luis Severino, Harrison Bader and Phil Maton. BRING THEM ALL HOME.

David Melendi

I want the Mets to go for it. (I love prospects, but I’d love to go to a parade more.) Emmanuel Clase, Jhoan Duran and Eugenio Suarez are at the top of my list. So many playoff games are decided in the late innings so a dominant bullpen would be ideal. Suarez has been excellent hitting with runners in scoring position. In a perfect world, he keeps it up and shares his secrets with his new teammates.

Johnluke Chaparro

If it hasnt already been said, ill say it here. They need more arms! The bullpen has taken huge hits that’s left it vulnerable. There have been a ton of names thrown out but for me, id love to see them work on getting a reliever like a David Bednar, who can be packaged with a Mitch Keller or something similar along with another decent reliever from another team. Then, compliment that with an outfielder who can hit and get on base. My ideal pick would be Steven Kwan, but that seems like a pipe dream. Give me anyone who has decent power that can help Taylor and McNeil spread out the playing time in CF. Compliment that with another starter and the Mets are cooking, as the kids say. Mitch Keller, Zac Gallen etc.

Mojo Hill

My ideal trade deadline for the Mets would involve getting Gregory Soto.

Well, they already did that, but it’s a nice first step in what the Mets should be going after. I really like Jhoan Duran and think he would be an awesome addition to continue to help shore up this bullpen. That’s definitely the biggest area they should address. I’d also like to see them target a starter like Joe Ryan or Seth Lugo to offset some of the injuries/inconsistencies there. Adding some depth to the bottom of the lineup would be a nice bonus, but the focus is and should be pitching right now.

Kai Chang

For the Mets, a perfect Trade Deadline would need to make them instant favorites in the NL East (meaning they’d need to have a better Deadline than the Phillies) and serious pennant contenders.

Most of the buzz has centered around adding bullpen help and center field, but what’s not getting enough attention is their need for a true ace. If the Mets want to make a deep October run, they need a top-of-the-rotation arm to pair with Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea—someone who can take the ball in a Game 1 and match up with the likes of the Phillies’ Zack Wheeler or the Dodgers’ Yoshi Yamamoto. There are real opportunities, with legitimate postseason arms like Sandy Alcántara, Dylan Cease, and Zac Gallen potentially available. If the Mets can land one of them without gutting the farm system (which, admittedly, won’t be easy) and also add a reliable late-inning reliever, this deadline could set them up for a legitimate title run.

Nick Kalantzopoulos

I think an ideal trade deadline involves the Mets adding a shut down setup man. Someone who is quality enough that in the chance that Edwin Diaz opts out in the offseason, that person is a no-question replacement.

I think other than that the Mets should be looking for either a CF that, like David Stearns said, completely clears the higher bar, or a 2b/3b type that can leave McNeil there for the rest of the season (someone like the Brandon Drury acquisition in 2021).