Brazobán, acquired by the Mets at the 2024 trade deadline from the Miami Marlins for Wilfredo Lara, has more than returned value in the parts of three seasons he spent in Queens. Across 117 appearances as a Met, Brazobán posted a 3.42 ERA with 123 strikeouts over 136 and 2/3 innings. He accumulated 1.2 fWAR in his Mets career. Lara has not made it past High-A, the level he was at when the Mets traded him two years ago.

Davis, 22, was a 5th-round pick in 2025 out of Oklahoma State. He was teammates with both Nolan McLean and Carson Benge. He was mainly a reliever in college, whom the White Sox have stretched out into a starter. He only threw 24 and 1/3 innings his draft year due to shoulder issues stemming from a fishing accident. He’s listed as 6-foot-9, 234 lbs.

The right-hander started 2026 well, posting a 2.63 ERA with 33 strikeouts and seven walks in 27 and 1/3 innings over eight starts at High-A. He received a promotion to Double-A on May 30 and has struggled since. In 10 starts at that level, Davis has an 8.31 ERA with 37 strikeouts and 17 walks over 34 and 2/3 innings. Most of that damage came in a three-start span in the second-half of June, where he gave up 19 earned runs in 8 and 1/3 innings. In his other seven starts, Davis has given up 13 earned runs in 26 and 1/3 innings. That’s still a 4.44 ERA, but it’s not as gaudy a figure.

Baseball America has Davis as Chicago’s No. 20 overall prospect with a 60-grade fastball, 60-grade slider, 40-grade changeup and 40-grade control. They say his fastball can touch 100 with great extension and a lot of spin, and he had the makings of a Day 1 pick before his injury. MLB Pipeline has him at No. 18 with a similar scouting report.

Davis is definitely a project, but it’s an intriguing upside swing. Pitchers who can throw 100 mph don’t grow on trees. There’s a lot of reliever risk with him, but the Mets will certainly try to keep developing him as a starter. If he does end up shifting to the bullpen, he has two plus pitches to work with. A lot of times, that’s enough to be effective in short spurts, especially if you throw as hard as Davis does.

Franklin, 27, was a 10th-round pick by the White Sox in 2023 out of Missouri. Chicago signed him for just $10,000—$157.60k below slot—no-doubt contributing to the over $750,000 over-slot signing of 7th-rounder George Wolkow. A reliever, Franklin has slowly but surely worked his way through Chicago’s minor league system over the last four seasons. He has spent his entire 2026 at Triple-A, posting a 4.37 ERA with 60 strikeouts and 14 walks over 45 and 1/3 innings.

He features a low-to-mid 90s fastball, slider, splitter and curveball. He’s well above average in both striking batters out and limiting walks. Hitters chase out of the zone and whiff at well above-average rates, but he has gotten hit hard when batters do connect. Given his age and upper-minors experience, it seems likely he’ll make his MLB debut in the final two months, especially after the Mets trade away more bullpen pieces as they’re expected to. He will be Rule 5 eligible this offseason, too, so the Mets need to add him to the 40-man roster anyway. He seems destined to ride the shuttle from Syracuse to Queens and back for the next few seasons.

It’s not a staggering return, but at 36 years old, the Mets have flipped Brazobán for more than they acquired him for. There’s an argument to be made that Davis’ upside alone makes this a stronger return than the Blue Jays got for Kevin Gausman, though that might be more of a reflection on how poorly Toronto did in that deal.

The post Mets Trade Huascar Brazobán to White Sox appeared first on Metsmerized.

The exhilaration of the Home Run Derby, the excitement of watching your favorite players duke it out in the only competitive All-Star game across all four sports, then the absolute silence of the two days that follow it. I really loathe the upcoming offseason.

There are also preceding events, such as the Futures Game and the Major League Baseball Draft, which are fun for the unhealthily tuned-in people like myself, but we’re going to focus on baseball’s next major upcoming event: The trade deadline.

Due to the lack of games in between this MLB Power Ranking and the last, I thought it would be fun to skip the rankings and categorize all the teams heading into the July 31 deadline.

We’ll have five categories that all 30 teams will fit into. The buyers, the sellers, the retoolers, teams that should do nothing, and some participation trophies, so nobody is left out.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Participation Trophies

We’re going to start with the less fortunate. Because honestly, every team deserves love, and that’s the way we should all live life. These teams haven’t had a lot going for them this season, and don’t have a lot, if anything, to move heading into August.

Rockies

The Colorado Rockies: The 2025 version of the 2024 Rockies.

They’re 22-74. A lot of their offensive core is either young or Ryan McMahon, who wasn’t moved last season and has an 84 OPS+ entering the All-Star break.

Their most movable pieces are 27-year-old Mickey Moniak, Jake Bird, and Jimmy Herget. They’re not bound to bring any saviors into the organization, and they’re not likely to move the needle for teams playing in October.

Athletics

On May 13, this team looked like the fun, sneaky pick lots made to win the division. Yes, you read that right, many notable people who talk about baseball picked this team to win the division.

They were 22-20, had just beaten the Dodgers 11-1, and were hovering over .500 with a young, talented core. Then the roof collapsed.

The A’s lost 11 games from that point on and never recovered. They entered the break at 41-57 and don’t roster many players of want. The only true movable player could be Luis Severino, who has a respectable 3.10 ERA on the road. But in order to move Severino, a team might need to pick up the remaining tab on his three-year, $67 million contract he signed last winter.

Buyers

Now to the meat of the article. This season, and most likely moving forward in the three wild-card era, there is a buyer’s market. All the teams listed are in contention and will certainly be adding talent in their race for a pennant. We’ve already seen Rafael Devers traded, and while he might be the best player moved this season, we’re sure to see a flurry of moves this season.

Yankees

Needs: 3B, SP
Best fit: Eugenio Suárez, Zac Gallen

The Yankees are having another fine year. They entered the break first in the majors in home runs (151), OPS (.791), and first in the American League in runs (501).

When looking at their roster, there aren’t a lot of needs. Guys like Jazz Chisholm Jr., Cody Bellinger, Ben Rice, and Jasson Domínguez have supported Aaron Judge, and the pitching has collectively registered a 3.82.

The two glaring issues facing the Yankees are third base and starting pitching. Oswald Peraza registered a measly 28 OPS+ at the position, and Chisholm Jr. is being slotted back at his natural position with the dismissal of DJ LeMahieu.

Trading with the Diamondbacks could easily fix both their needs. Both Suárez and Gallen are heading toward contract years, and while it might be expensive, it could be worth it to bring both in for half a season to bring the World Series Trophy back to the Bronx.

Red Sox

Needs: SP
Best fit: Mitch Keller

Unlike the Athletics, the Red Sox have lived up to the preseason hype. They finished the first half on a 10-game win streak and hold a healthy +61 run differential.

They trail the Blue Jays by five games in the division and the Yankees by two games in the division. Their young core of Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, and Wilyer Abreu are coming into their stardom. And their pitching, headlined by Garrett Crochet and Aroldis Chapman, is built to win in the playoffs.

One more starting pitcher would do wonders for this squad. A guy like Mitch Keller is a perfect fit for this club. He’s controllable through 2028, has always been a solid middle rotation pitcher, and would give security to a rotation being held up by unreliable names in Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito.

Rays

Needs: LF
Best fit: Ramón Laureano

The Rays burst onto the scene in June, but have taken the back seat halfway through July.

After a strong 17-10 month, Tampa went 3-9 into the break, which included being swept at Fenway by the Red Sox. They’re 52-48, one and half games out of a wild card, and have a decision to make.

Knowing the Rays, they’ll make us all look dumb by selling off a major bat and still making the third wild card. Or maybe they’ll fall flat to start the half and move to sellers. But for now, they’re buyers in my book.

Christopher Morel hasn’t contributed much offensively, and Jake Mangum and Kameron Misner haven’t provided the necessary thump for a corner outfield position. Ramón Laureano seems like the perfect fit for the Rays.

The 30-year-old is having a bounce-back season in Baltimore, slashing .276/.340/.498 with 11 homers in 71 games, and would be the perfect low-buy candidate for a constantly retooling franchise. Plus, with a new owner and hopefully new stadium, some postseason success would bolster a fan base

Tigers

Needs: CF
Best fit: Jo Adell

The Tigers might be the most complete team in baseball.

The lineup is littered with OPS+’s over 100. They have a strong rotation headed by Tarik Skubal. Will Vest and the bullpen provide reliability and length.

The one position that’s been a hard problem to solve is shortstop. So, why is their need centerfield above? Well, nobody is selling shortstops, and they got an All-Star in Javier Baez that can slide back into his natural position.

Jo Adell makes too much sense for this team. He’s a right-handed power bat that could slot into the middle of the lineup, and not feel the pressure when surrounded by guys like Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene. The Tigers could also use power from the right side. Outside Torkelson, the next leader in homers from the right side is Baez with 10.

Astros 

Needs: SP
Best fit: Adrian Houser

Somehow, someway, the Astros find their way back to first place in the AL West. Even in a year when they trade Kyle Tucker.

Seriously, this squad is loaded. Especially since Christian Walker has started hitting. Their true weakest offensive position is second base, but every team is going to have a single hole. And once Yordan Alvarez returns, this will transform into the best lineup in the major leagues.

The bullpen has also been elite. Every go-to guy in Houston has an ERA under three, and Josh Hader and Bryan Abreu have been the best 1-2 punch out of the ‘pen.

Houston’s biggest need is a No. 3 starter. Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez are both top-five AL Cy Young candidates through the first half, but the next four guys in the rotation have ERAs over four. With the No. 29 farm system in baseball (per MLB.com), this club could afford to get Adrian Houser, who’s pitched to a 1.89 ERA and 3.01 FIP in ten starts.

Mariners

Needs: 1B, RF
Best fit: Josh Naylor

Seattle usually relies on their elite pitching to carry them, yet this season it’s been the opposite.

The Big Dumper is in this season, and to quote the great Greg Maddux, “Chicks dig the long ball.” But all joking aside, the offense has been carried by Cal Raleigh, along with some support from Randy Arozarena and Julio Rodriguez, but could use another middle-of-the-order helper.

Josh Naylor just fits perfectly. He’s in a contract year, slashing .292/.361/.452 with 11 homers, provides left-handed thump to a team that features two big righties, and could be slotted into the five-hole to deepen the lineup. You really can’t ask for more as a Mariners fan.

Phillies

Needs: RP, CF
Best fit: Jhoan Duran

Philadelphia is having another October-bound year, and it’s the same hole plauging them as last year: The bullpen.

The offense has also struggled, but getting Bryce Harper should help with that. Maybe a trade for an outfielder is in the cards, but the closer’s role is the main issue.

Jordan Romano has a 9.45 ERA, Joe Ross a 6.55 ERA, and Orion Kerkering a 6.00 ERA in his last seven games — that’s not good. Meanwhile, the Twins collapsed after a hot May, and are slotted to be sellers come August. Jhoan Duran has been the best closer in baseball this season, pitching to a 1.62 ERA with 15 saves in 17 opportunities. It might cost a boatload, but this Phillies roster isn’t getting younger. Adding Harrison Bader to the trade might help plug that center field hole as well.

Mets

Needs: CF, RP
Best fit: Cedric Mullins, Gregory Soto

After a far too familiar June swoon, the Mets find themselves trailing the Phillies by half a game entering the second half.

Their true best fit, to me at least, is Byron Buxton. Same with the Phillies. But you heard the man, he’s staying in Minnesota.

That leaves the next best option, which is Cedric Mullins. He started 2025 scolding hot, finishing April with a .278/.412/.515 slashline with six homers. But since then, Mullins has slashed .186/.234/.350 with seven homers.

The numbers don’t sound tantalizing. But Mullins is a solid fit. He’s registered a positive OAA in center field, has pop from the left-handed side, and finished the 2024 second half strong with a .266/.374/.457 slashline. Add in Gregory Soto as another left-handed option, and the Mets would solve two of their biggest issues heading into August with one deal.

Dodgers

Needs: RP, SP
Best fit: Emmanuel Clase

Go big or go home, right? The Dodgers are trying to defend their World Series title, and right now, Tanner Scott hasn’t handled the closer role well.

Clase would be an immediate boost. He’s having another fantastic year, pitching to a 2.86 ERA in the closer’s role in Cleveland. What the Dodgers truly need is health, which hopefully will bring Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and more back to the roster for a deep October push.

Giants

Needs: 1B
Best fit: Ryan O’Hearn

Same goes for the Giants. They’re chasing the Dodgers for the division title right now, and shocked the sports world with the trade for Rafael Devers earlier in June. It was our Luka Doncic trade.

But they have to double down. And there’s no better fit than Ryan O’Hearn. An All-Star for the first time in 2025, O’Hearn slashed .286/.382/.458 in the first half with 11 homers. Sure, most of the damage has been done against right-handers, but they could always use Wilmer Flores as a platoon option. And, yes, Wilmer does have reverse splits this season, but has been better against lefties (.790 OPS) over his career.

Padres

Needs: LF
Best fit: Taylor Ward

Like the Giants, the Padres are in contention to chase the Dodgers for the NL West.

They entered the break 52-44, holding a tight half-game lead over the Giants for the third wild card and only five and a half games behind the Dodgers. The NL is tight, and with one of the Dodgers, Giants, Cubs, Brewers, Mets, Phillies, and themselves destined to miss the playoffs, they need to make a move to ensure a spot.

Their biggest need is clearly left field. Jason Heyward put up a 38 OPS+ before being DFA’d, and others such as Jose Iglesias, Tyler Wade, Brandon Lockridge, and Oscar González have registered negative bWARs when trying to fill the position.

Taylor Ward would slot nicely in that lineup. The Angel has clubbed 23 homers, and would provide the Padres lineup that is 27th in the majors in homers another power threat.

Cubs

Needs: SP
Best fit: Joe Ryan

Similarly to the Giants, the Cubs need to double down.

You don’t trade for one year of Kyle Tucker to do nothing at the deadline. And right now, they desperately need starting pitching. Their rotation has taken blows with a season-ending injury to Justin Steele, along with other injuries sustained by Jameson Taillon and Shota Imanaga. Their rotation ERA ranked 18th to finish the first half and was over four.

The obvious fit is Joe Ryan. He’s been an ace this season, pitching to a 2.63 ERA with 132 strikeouts in 116 1/3 innings, plus he’s team controllable until 2028. It would take a haul to acquire Ryan, but the Cubs have top 100 prospects like Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara who have All-Stars ahead of them on the depth chart.

Brewers

Needs: 3B
Best fit: Eugenio Suárez

I tried not to have duplicates on this list. But I couldn’t leave Eugenio Suárez off the list for the Brew Crew. And the reality is, most buyers need a third baseman, like the Mets, Dodgers, Phillies, Cubs, and Mariners.

They have the starting pitching and bullpen to win in October. The lineup is almost complete. The one factor they’re missing is a power bat. Suárez would completely transform the Brew Crew’s lineup, providing them with a bat with the ability to clear their frequently clogged bases with one swing. It’s a match made in heaven. And as of now, I doubt anyone in the Brewers lineup would finish the 2025 season with Suárez’s already hit 31 homers.

Sellers

Now for the sellers. Some teams knew they’d be here, some are shocked to be here, but all should sell. Does that mean they will? I don’t know. A handful of them could convince themselves to stay the course, maybe add a piece, but it would be a mistake.

Twins

Trade pieces: Joe Ryan, Byron Buxton, Harrison Bader, Jhoan Duran, Danny Coulombe, Trevor Larnach

If I had told you Bryon Buxton would be healthy, the bullpen would be locked down, and Joe Ryan had a sub-three ERA, you’d think the Twins would be a playoff team.

But a lot has gone wrong for them. Outside a 13-game win streak to start May, the Twins are 35-49. It was highlighted by a six-game losing streak in June, and an overall disappointing 9-18 month. The Twins are only four games out of a playoff spot, but have the opportunity to seriously retool.

They could potentially have the only ace on the market in Joe Ryan, who by the way is already 29. If they convinced Byron Buxton to waive his no-trade clause, they’d have the best available bat on the market as well. These guys won’t be a part of the next winning core in Minnesota, same with other trade pieces like Harrison Bader, Danny Coulombe, and Trevor Larnach.

Minnesota could truly transform their farm and be competitive again in two seasons by moving their pieces this season. But they could also hold on and hope for a strong second half, then go for the gold against better teams in the Astros, Tigers, Yankees, Red Sox, Mariners, or Rays.

White Sox

Trade pieces: Luis Robert Jr., Mike Tauchman, Adrian Houser, Steven Wilson

Hey, at least they’re better this year.

There’s not much to say about this White Sox team, but they do have pieces to move this deadline. Adrian Houser has been phenomenal, pitching to a 1.89 ERA, Mike Tauchman has an .847 OPS, and Steven Wilson has a 2.08 ERA in 30 1/3 innings, despite having higher peripheral stats.

Then, of course, there’s Luis Robert Jr. Perhaps the most obvious “new scenery” player we’ve seen in major league history. Sure, he’s got a .631 OPS, but the talent in the past is undeniable. And all I’ll say is Andrew Vaughn hit two homers and registered a 1.500 OPS in five games the minute he left the South Side.

Guardians

Trade pieces: Emmanuel Clase, Shane Bieber, Carlos Santana

Cleveland has struggled mightily in 2025.

They suffered a 10-game losing streak from late June through July, spiraling a season where they entered June 31-26. Like the Twins, they’re only four and a half games out of the wild card, but have five teams ahead of them in the standings.

The Guardians would be better suited shipping off pieces to strengthen the upcoming core in Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana. Emmanuel Clase would get back a haul from teams like the Dodgers and Phillies, plus Shane Bieber and Carlos Santana might bring back some return to teams that need help to a less degree.

Braves

Trade pieces: Chris Sale, Marcell Ozuna, Raisel Iglesias, Pierce Johnson

Atlanta is another team that could benefit significantly from trading off their movable pieces.

Coming into the 2025 season, the Braves’ farm system ranked 26th (MLB.com). And that’s only going to get worse with the graduation of Drake Baldwin.

Plus, the younger core is starting to look suspect. Austin Riley and Matt Olson have done their part, but Michael Harris II has a .561 OPS, Ozzie Albies a .622 OPS, and Ronald Acuña Jr. and Sean Murphy have dealt with injuries the past couple seasons.

Players like Raisel Iglesias and Pierce Johnson could help the middle of the Braves’ system, but moving big pieces in Marcell Ozuna and Chris Sale could net top 100 prospects. Sale has a club option for 2026, but who knows if he’ll be healthy next year. And Ozuna is in the final year of his four-year contract. A properly executed deadline could fuel the sinking hot air balloon this current core is in.

Diamondbacks

Trade pieces: Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Josh Naylor, Eugenio Suárez, Randal Grichuk, James McCann

The Diamondbacks have really disappointed this season. Especially me, I thought the pitching would rebound and they’d compete for the division.

But alas, that hasn’t happened, and it’s time for the D-backs to be sellers yet again at the deadline. Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez should be the first to go. Both are in contract years, and both should warrant a deal that features top prospects.

Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly will also go, as both are in a contract year, with Gallen struggling out of the two. The righty’s got a 5.40 ERA, a 1.374 WHIP, and has walked 3.5 batters per nine. At this point, the 36-year-old Merrill Kelly might get better prospects back in a deal.

Randal Grichuk and James McCann are also two names to watch. Grichuk has a .727 OPS against right-handers, and McCann has a .321/.457/.607 slashline in 10 games. Teams always need catchers.

Retoolers

The retoolers aren’t quite sellers. They aren’t going to sell off major pieces, and for the most part, aren’t selling parts of their nucleus. You could argue a team like the Braves are retooling, but if you sell Chris Sale and Marcell Ozuna, you’re not really “retooling.”

Orioles

Trade pieces: Cedric Mullins, Ramón Laureano, Seranthony Domínguez, Gregory Soto, Charlie Morton, Zach Eflin, Ryan O’Hearn

Back-to-back nine-win months did the Orioles in. They fired Brandon Hyde, replaced him with Tony Mansolino, and have gone 28-24 since. Heck, they even had a 16-11 June under their new skipper.

Yet injury and a disappointing year leave them as retoolers heading into the deadline. All the players listed above aren’t a part of the big picture, and also in contract years. A trade that brings back pitching to the upper levels of their minor league system would be fruitful, and benefit a young team featuring Jackson Holliday, Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Jordan Westburg, and Colton Cowser.

Angels

Trade pieces: Jo Adell, Taylor Ward, Travis d’Arnaud, Yoan Moncada, Yusei Kikuchi,

Like many AL playoff hopeful teams, the Angels sit only four games out of a wild-card spot.

But, like the Twins, they have a serious chance to revamp a destitute farm system. Taylor Ward and Jo Adell would be two of the best right-handed power bats on the market, Travis d’Arnaud is a power threat behind the plate that is more than a one-year rental, and Yoan Moncada is the second-best option at third base after Suárez.

On the pitching side, Yusei Kikuchi was a 2025 All-Star and is pitching to a 3.13 ERA. He would slot nicely on many playoff teams, especially ones like the Astros, Dodgers, and Mets who need a solid three more than an ace.

Retooling is the logical move here for the Angels. Mike Trout isn’t getting any younger, and Zach Neto is definitely getting older.

Royals

Trade pieces: Seth Lugo, Carlos Estévez

The Royals are another AL team only four and half games out of a playoff spot. Yet, with teams like the Rangers, Rays, Mariners, Red Sox, and Yankees ahead of them, retooling would best suit them.

There’s not a lot to move, but Seth Lugo and Carlos Estévez are both pitchers that teams would jump at to acquire. Lugo is in a contract year, but Estévez is under team control till 2026 and has a club option for 2027.

There are plenty of holes on the Royals, including their entire outfield. But their farm system ranks 23rd (MLB.com), and they don’t have players to trade to make an impactful deal.

Nationals

Trade pieces: Nathaniel Lowe, Josh Bell, Kyle Finnegan

The Nationals are just simply stuck.

They don’t have a lot of pieces to move, and they have a vibrant young core with nothing placed around them. Nathaniel Lowe is the best bat they have to offer, but the first baseman has only posted a .689 OPS with 15 homers in 99 games. Josh Bell could probably move to a team looking for a bat, but he also only has a .677 OPS with 11 homers.

Kyle Finnegan is the best the Nationals have to offer at the deadline, and even he has been shaky. In 36 innings, Finnegan has a 4.25 ERA and has allowed 33 hits, and most likely wouldn’t get much substance back for the Nationals.

Do Nothing? 

The classic “Do Nothing” teams. The ride it out, look into the sunset and hope for the best group. These teams could add. But the real question is: Should they?

Blue Jays

I’m turning into a real Blue Jays hater. And it’s probably because I am. I don’t think this team is going to make the playoffs. Let’s see if this ages as poor as my preseason predictions.

They already have a bottom-ten farm system in the sport, meaning they’d have to overpay for a player of need, and that’s if they could even outbid the rival teams wanting said player.

If the Blue Jays did add, it would most likely be a starting pitcher. But outside that, riding with the core they have right now and hoping Anthony Santander comes back and contributes seems like the correct move.

Rangers

About everything has gone wrong for the Rangers through the first half. Josh Jung struggled and was sent down. Jake Burger hit the IL. Jon Gray, Tyler Mahle, and Nathan Eovaldi have all had trips to IL on the pitching side.

Yet, they’re 47-49 and can see a playoff spot from their backyard. The Rangers have all the tools to make the playoffs, and they fall into the bucket of riding it out and not selling.

The Rangers could get a haul for their starters in Jacob deGrom and Eovaldi, but if they can sneak in the playoffs, that rotation could push you to an ALCS. Plus hitters like Adolis García (94 OPS+) and Burger (88 OPS+) could rebound and help a struggling offense that was so potent in 2023.

Cardinals

The Cardinals are in the same boat as the Rangers.

They’re 51-46 entering the second half, are one and a half out of a playoff spot, and wouldn’t benefit greatly from moving any pieces. They’ve made it this far with the roster after not moving Nolan Arenado, and they should stick it out.

Not to mention, the Cardinals have a good youth movement going on in the minors. JJ Wetherholt, Quinn Mathews, and Tink Hence are on the horizon, and they would supplement this current group of players nicely. Those three should be untouchable, plus who knows, maybe the Red Birds sneak in and cause havoc in October.

Reds

Cincinnati is in an interesting position.

They’re 52-48, feasibly within playoff reach, and have a group of young players. Yet, I don’t think they should dip into their farm system and add players to the roster. I say ride it out, and address what you need in the offseason.

Nick Lodolo has finally broken out, Andrew Abbott was an All-Star this year, Chase Burns has already shown flashes of potential, and Hunter Greene is still only 25. Plus, Rhett Lowder is about to join this monster rotation.

This just doesn’t seem like the Reds’ year. The Cubs and Brewers are most likely occupying two playoff spots, plus the Cardinals seem better than them right now. The winter is where the Reds should go all in.

The post Trade Deadline: Who’s Selling, Buying & Standing Pat? appeared first on Metsmerized.

With a slew of needs, the New York Mets are expected to be major buyers. As things stand right now, the Mets figure to be one of the busiest teams at the deadline.

Therefore, now felt the perfect time to rank all of this team’s needs in order of importance. Granted, all of the holes the Mets have to fill by the Trade Deadline are important, but some are more urgent than others.

To that end, let’s dive right in…

Ranking The Mets’ Trade Deadline Needs

Jul 8, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller (23) pitches during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

1. A FRONTLINE STARTER

The Mets currently have the fourth-best team ERA in baseball (3.56). The starting rotation is also getting a lot healthier with Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea, and Frankie Montas all back. However, there are still a lot of question marks over this current group. Health will always be the big variable, obviously. It remains to be seen how reliable Montas can be, and Clay Holmes has already reached a career-high in innings pitched, meaning he will need to be managed incredibly carefully down the stretch.

Therefore, if the Mets want to go on a deep postseason run, I think they will need to add a top-of-the-market frontline starter. Minnesota’s Joe Ryan, who has pitched to a 2.72 ERA this year, would be a home run option if available. Pirates RHP Mitch Keller is a workhorse who can go deep in games. He has logged 119 innings this season. Pending free agent Seth Lugo, who is 6-5 with a 2.67 ERA for the Royals, is another enticing option. All in all, the Mets need to add another top arm to the rotation in order to become a true contender.

2. CENTER FIELD PRODUCTION

There has been little production from the bottom of the lineup in 2025. The abyss out in center field has hardly helped that matter. Tyrone Taylor is a very fine defensive outfielder, but he’s been a net negative offensively. He has a 65 wRC+ on the year, while hitting just .213/.267/.313 with two home runs and a .580 OPS. Furthermore, a .374 OPS so far in July shows that Taylor’s bat isn’t trending in the right direction. Therefore, the Mets need to make a big move in order to correct what has been a deep, fatal flaw to this point.

Now, with that said, the potential options aren’t perfect. Twins outfielder Byron Buxton is a pipe dream, given that it seems he isn’t going anywhere. White Sox CF Luis Robert Jr. has long been linked to New York, but he’s hitting just .190/.275/.325 in 2025. Orioles veteran Cedric Mullins could be intriguing given his speed, but he’s also having a down year. Now, Jarren Duran would be the home run option, but I doubt the Red Sox would want to sell, given they’ve just ripped off 10 straight wins. Back to Mullins, the one-time All-Star does have 13 homers and 41 RBIs this year. He would be a clear upgrade on Taylor offensively. New York can’t continue to get zero production from center field if the goal is to go deep in October.

Quinn Harris/USA TODAY Sports

3. HIGH LEVERAGE RELIEVER

The Mets have been in need of a lefty reliever ever since A.J. Minter was lost for the year. That will no doubt continue to be a priority at the Trade Deadline. However, it has to be said that this team just needs a high-leverage setup man, period. Lefty or righty, the front office needs to find someone who can help to support Edwin Díaz. Díaz has been outstanding, but he will need help. Brooks Raley‘s return will be a boost, but the Mets arguably need another high-end lefty reliever anyway. In all, the front office should probably be looking to add two swing-or-miss arms that can come up clutch in later innings. The good news, and why we have this need at No. 3, is the fact that relievers tend to be available in large bunches at the deadline. That’s a positive for the Mets.

4. ANOTHER BAT

The Mets are currently getting a .650 OPS from the catcher, center field, second base, and third base positions in 2025. There is no way the front office will be able to improve all four positions externally. Nor will they need to. Francisco Alvarez has looked good in Triple-A, and I’m still convinced that Mark Vientos will explode at some point down the stretch. That leaves center field, which we covered above. But, you can also make a compelling argument that the Mets need another bat to help solidify the bottom of that lineup, which has been ice cold.

Furthermore, Jesse Winker has been unable to stay healthy, so who knows what you will get out of him the rest of the way. In order to get past the Dodgers in the National League, this lineup will need everyone to contribute. It won’t be able to afford passengers. Therefore, another bat – and it doesn’t need to be a huge name if center field gets addressed – would be hugely beneficial. It would help to deepen and lengthen this lineup. How about a player in the ilk of Adolis Garcia? His power would be a perfect fit for the bottom of the lineup, and he could get some reps at DH too.

The post Ranking The Mets’ Trade Deadline Needs appeared first on Metsmerized.

Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon, the club is looking for reinforcements in both center field and the bullpen. Furthermore, they added that there’s some speculation of larger, pricier targets emerging down the line.

“The Mets are monitoring the market for help in center field and the bullpen, league sources said. Speculatively, other possible and more expensive targets such as a frontline starter may emerge,” they wrote.

New York acquired Jose Siri from the Tampa Bay Rays in the offseason, though he’s appeared in just 10 games this season after fracturing his tibia against the Athletics on April 12. It seemed as though the 29-year-old was progressing rather quickly, but he was shut down from baseball activities last week, and it’s unknown when he will return.

Tyrone Taylor has subsequently operated as the Mets’ everyday center fielder, and while he’s slashing just .237/.300/.348 with two home runs across 219 plate appearances, he’s posted 1.0 fWAR due to his stellar defensive work. Over 512 innings, the former Milwaukee Brewer has logged five Defensive Runs Saved and four Outs Above Average.

New York still believes it could use a boost at the position, however, and with few tantalizing major league-ready options in the minors at the moment, its likeliest path to an upgrade would be through the trade market.

The team’s bullpen, which boasted the second-lowest ERA of any unit across the league through the end of May at 2.87, has seen that figure jump up to 4.29 in June thus far. The Mets could certainly use a left-handed reliever considering both A.J. Minter and Danny Young are out for the year, though José Castillo has performed admirably as the group’s only southpaw with a 0.82 ERA in 11 innings after coming over from the Arizona Diamondbacks last month.

New York addressed the bullpen in a major way at last year’s deadline by acquiring Phil Maton, Huascar Brazobán and Ryne Stanek, the latter two of whom returned this season and have struggled in their recent outings, while also bringing in Tyler Zuber as organizational depth.

Rosenthal and Sammon noted that the Mets are expected to “leverage” the pitching talent across their farm system at the deadline, much like they did in 2024, as a means of bringing in the necessary players for a postseason push.

“Look for the New York Mets to again leverage their pitching-rich farm system,” they wrote.

“After trading multiple minor-league pitchers last year, the Mets possess enough attractive arms in their farm system to supplement their roster without dealing their top pitching prospects, rival evaluators familiar with the organization said.”

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As first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Dodgers have traded for Detroit Tigers right-handed pitcher Jack Flaherty.

Per Robert Murray, the Tigers are getting back C/1B Thayron Liranzo and shortstop Trey Sweeney in the deal. According to Baseball America, Liranzo was the Dodgers’ No. 3 prospect and Sweeney was ranked No. 28.

Jack Flaherty. John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

LA was reported to be in talks with the Chicago White Sox for ace Garrett Crochet but ultimately pivoted to Flaherty with time running out. Crochet wasn’t traded.

Flaherty, who could have been a potential option for the Mets, was one of the most notable starters available at the trade deadline. He was 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA and 133 strikeouts in 1o6 2/3 innings for the Tigers this year. He also owns a career-best 11.2 K/9 in 18 starts. Furthermore, the righty is 6-1 with a stellar 1.77 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP over his last eight starts. He’ll be a free agent after this season.

Already a World Series contender, LA needed to add another front-line starter to help bolster a rotation ravaged by injury. In Flaherty, the Dodgers are getting a reliable starter who can help them both down the stretch and in the postseason.

The Dodgers also acquired Gold Glove outfielder Kevin Kiermaier from the Blue Jays for reliever Ryan Yarbrough, per Robert Murray.

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According to Andy Martino of SNY, the New York Mets have checked in on San Francisco Giants starter Blake Snell.

Martino added to this points there’s been no traction. He also confirmed the Giants are wanting top prospects and paying Snell’s whole contract, as of now, doesn’t change that ask.

To read more about Snell, click here.

Updated Post – July 29 @ 4:45 pm ET

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Yankees are in extensive talks to acquire SP Jack Flaherty from the Tigers.

If the Yankees acquire Flaherty or any other starter, the expectation is they will trade SP Nestor Cortes.

Updated Post – July 29 @ 2:10 PM

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Cardinals, White Sox and Dodgers are in agreement on a three-team trade. Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo of The Athletic was first with reports that the deal was close. Bob Nightengale of USA Today was first with the return to the White Sox. Robert Murray of FanSided had the news of Pham first.

Cardinals Receive: RHP Erick Fedde, OF Tommy Pham
Dodgers Receive: INF Tommy Edman, RHP Michael Kopech
White Sox Receive: Miguel Vargas, SS Jeral Perez (#18 Dodgers prospect), INF Alexander Albertus (#16 Dodgers prospect)

(Prospect rankings according to Baseball America)

In addition, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that Tigers RHP Jack Flaherty is expected to be moved soon as he was scratched from his start tonight to protect him for a possible trade. Andy Martino of SNY notes that it won’t be to the Mets.

Correction: An earlier version of this post noted SS Noah Miller was part of the prospect return from the Dodgers to the White Sox. Jeff Passan confirmed he is indeed not.

Original Post – July 29 @ 1:14 PM

Happy Trade Deadline Eve! A slew of pitchers’ names have been floating around the rumor mill and could be on the move by 6 p.m. ET Tuesday. That doesn’t include Michael Lorenzen (5-6, 3.81 ERA, 1.28 WHIP), who the Kansas City Royals acquired from the Texas Rangers Monday.

After the injuries to Kodai Senga and Christian Scott and the rotation inconsistencies, the Mets (55-50) could use a starter. Here is the latest on some hurlers who could be on the move.

Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

White Sox Want to Deal

Chicago White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet (6-8, 3.23 ERA, 1.00 WHIP) leads the American League in strikeouts with 160 (114 1/3 innings) but may have turned some potential suitors off last week when he said he wanted a contract extension if he was traded. He also said he didn’t want to pitch out of the bullpen.

The 25-year-old is in his first year as a starter and said he made those demands for health reasons. He had never pitched more than 54 1/3 innings in a season before this one and missed 2022 after Tommy John surgery.

The Atlanta Braves have expressed interest in Crochet, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Another White Sox pitcher available is right-hander Erick Fedde (7-4, 3.11 ERA, 1.14 WHIP). Heyman reports that the St. Louis Cardinals are showing interest. Fedde is having a renaissance year after spending the 2023 campaign as part of the KBO league.

The Mets have expressed interest in Fedde, going back to this past winter when they were a finalist in signing him, but he ultimately chose the White Sox.

Cy Young Winner Available

Per Jon Morosi of MLB Network, there is a “better than 50 percent chance” that reigning National League Cy Youngwinner Blake Snell is moved. He said the San Francisco Giants (53-55) are trending toward selling and that the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees would potentially be interested.

Snell (0-3, 5.10 ERA, 1.28 WHIP) has been disappointing overall, but in his last four starts, he’s given up only two runs in 24 innings. He struck out 15 Colorado Rockies in six scoreless innings on Saturday. It was a career-high in punch outs for Snell.

Lefties On the Block

Morosi also reported that the Orioles are in contact with the Detroit Tigers on a potential deal for left-hander Tarik Skubal (12-3, 2.35 ERA, 0.92 WHIP).

Toronto Blue Jays lefty Yusei Kikuchi (4-9, 4.75 ERA, 1.34 WHIP) has drawn interest from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres and Houston Astros, according to Morosi.

Other Rumors

Other pitchers who have popped up in various trade reports are Detroit’s Jack Flaherty, Nathan Eovaldi of Texas, Jameson Taillon of the Cubs, Tyler Anderson of the Angels and Cal Quantrill of the Rockies.

Where the Mets Stand

It’s a seller’s market out there. Asking prices are astronomical, and Andy Martino of SNY noted it may have changed their plans in approaching their deadline targets. Either way, the Mets will add; it will just be a matter of what tier from and who they are willing to part with.

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Position: Pitcher B/T: R/R

Age: 28 (October 15, 1995)

2024 Traditional Stats: 18 G, 106.2 IP, 7-5,  2.95 ERA,  0.956 WHIP,  133 SO,  19 BB

2024 Advanced Stats: 142 ERA+, 32.1% SO%, 4.6% BB%, .293 xERA, 3.10 FIP, 2.55 xFIP,  2.5 fWAR,  bWAR 2.8

Rundown

Jack Flaherty, one of the best starting pitchers available, is expected to be moved by the Detroit Tigers over the next couple of days as the July 30 trade deadline creeps closer. 

The 28-year old was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft and has been on three teams during his eight year major-league career. He made his debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in September of 2017 against the San Francisco Giants and has gone on to a 3.64 career ERA over 149 games. In 2023, the St. Louis Cardinals traded Flaherty to the Baltimore Orioles and struggled posting a 6.75 ERA over nine starts.

Prior to the start of the 2024 season, back in December of 2023 Flaherty signed a one-year deal worth $14 million with the Tigers and has quietly had one of the best years of his career. Over the course of 18 starts, Flaherty has a 2.95 ERA with 133 strikeouts. He is able to create a lot of swing and misses with a devastating slider, and has one of the best breaking run value (95th percentile) per Baseball Savant.

Flaherty has had an excellent month of July posting a 1.53 ERA in three starts and has struck out 18 over 17 2/3 innings. One of the most impressive attributes for Flaherty is his walk rate, and with a 4.6% BB he is able to command the zone to get ahead with no struggles putting away hitters.

It is important to note the amount of innings Flaherty has pitched this year thus far in comparison to past seasons. In his first seven seasons, he has reached over 140 innings three times and in 2024 he is currently at 106 2/3 innings. The Mets plan for when Kodai Senga came back was to move to a six-man rotation to limit the starting pitchers innings, and this can be an ideal situation for Flaherty if the Mets were to acquire him.

Jack Flaherty. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Package

Given Flaherty is on a one-year deal with the Tigers, he would be a rental. He is one of the best starting pitchers available at the deadline, and with many teams in need of arms his value is going to be high.

Keeping this in mind, the return for Flaherty will likely require multiple Mets prospects.

Proposed Deal

Mets Receive

• Jack Flaherty

Tigers Receive:

• RHP Nolan McLean (MMO’s 14th-ranked prospect)
• RHP Kade Morris (MMO’s 24th-ranked prospect)
• C Ronald Hernandez (MMO’s 27th-ranked prospect)

Recommendation

There is a long list of teams that are going after Flaherty and it will take a big trade to acquire him. If the Mets were to offer a player within the top 10 of their prospect rankings it may come down to only sending two players to Detroit instead of three.

With Kodai Senga’s recent calf strain Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that he will most likely be done for the remainder of the season, making the deadline a little more difficult for president of baseball operations David Stearns. They have had quality outings from the likes of Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana, but Flaherty would be able to provide support for the top of the rotation.

For the Mets it may be beneficial that the Tigers would be sending Flaherty to a National League team as opposed to either a division rival or another American League team competing for a playoff spot. Now is the time that the front office goes for it, as it has been reported this weekend that is the vibe for the Mets in the coming days. Flaherty is still scheduled to pitch for the Tigers the day before the deadline on against the Cleveland Guardians, so it is probable that the Tigers get a deal in place prior to Monday’s game.

The post Trade Profile: Jack Flaherty, SP appeared first on Metsmerized.

Adding a starter should be a priority for president of baseball operations David Stearns. With the injury to Kodai Senga, and the struggles of other Mets starters in Tylor Megill, Jose Quintana, and the now-injured Christian Scott, the need is pressing.

A full breakdown of what the Mets would be getting if they acquired Taillon can be found below via an excerpt from our recent article analyzing five starters the Mets may target:

“Taillon has not only had a strong 2024, but he would also be able to help the Mets beyond this season. The 32-year-old right-handed starter is under contract for $18 million per year through the end of 2026.

The first season of Taillon’s four-year deal with Chicago did not go as planned. He tossed 154 1/3 innings, however, he posted an ERA of 4.84 and FIP of 4.61. Luckily, for the Cubs and the 32-year-old, Taillon has bounced back thus far this season. Through 17 starts, he has posted a 2.96 ERA and 3.77 FIP. These numbers would be the best marks of his career since missing most of the 2019 season and all of 2020.

The analytical profile isn’t as pretty as the traditional numbers paint his season out to be, granted, they’re not bad by any means. His 3.68 xERA is a strong number, but indicates he has experienced some good fortune. The soft-tosser has specifically done a good job of limiting hard contact (69th percentile hard-hit rate) and does not walk batters (89th percentile walk rate). Overall, despite some potential evidence for regression, Taillon has been solid in 2024.

On one hand, acquiring Taillon would not only help the Mets for the remainder of the season, it would also lock down a rotation spot through the end of 2026. However, there is quite a bit of risk associated with acquiring the eight-year veteran. An annual average salary of $18 million is a decent commitment on a 32-year-old pitcher with injury concerns and one who is slightly over-performing in 2024. However, if he can keep the current performances up over the duration of the deal, he can provide great value and lock down a middle rotation spot for the next couple seasons.”

You can read that full article right here.

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With the injury, the Mets are back down to a relatively thin rotation that includes some large question marks. Jose Quintana, who has been much better as of late, still owns an eighth-percentile 5.20 xERA. David Peterson, who somehow owns a 5-0 record, has performed as one of the more luckier starting pitchers in the majors; 5.56 xERA versus 3.14 ERA. Lastly, there is Tylor Megill (5.20 ERA), who was thrusted back into a major-league role after Christian Scott went down with injury, and once again struggled on Saturday.

Couple the current over-performers with the new injury to Senga, and the pre-existing injury and struggles of Scott, the Mets are in desperate need of rotation help if they want to continue their quest for a wild card berth. It appears that the team is fortunately well aware of that as Joel Sherman of the NY Post confirmed that the Mets are now active in the starters’ market. So, as the July 30 MLB trade deadline quickly approaches, where can the Mets turn to for help?

Blake Snell Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Snell

After holding out deep into the free agency, the 2023 Cy Young winner finally settled for a two-year deal worth $62 million with the second year of that deal being a player option. The left-handed Blake Snell then got off to an extremely rough start in 2024, battling a couple different injuries, a late start, and overall struggles on the actual mound when he found himself healthy.

Luckily, it seems as if Snell, finally healthy, is finding his groove. Since returning from injury on July 9, Snell has turned in five starts; 24 innings, eight hits, two runs (0.75 ERA), seven walks, and 30 strikeouts. His season ERA has been lowered from 9.51 to 5.10 over that stretch. The most recent performance, on Saturday, saw Snell strikeout 15 over six scoreless frames.

Looking at his season as a whole, despite the dreadful start, Snell’s analytical profile is still extremely strong. His xERA stands at 3.55, much less than his 5.20 actual figure; signifying he’s experienced some bad luck. He is doing a great job suppressing hard contact (73rd percentile average exit velocity and 90th percentile hard-hit rate) and getting strikeouts via swing-and-misses (71st percentile strikeout rate and 91st percentile whiff rate).

With Snell, there will always be the control issues, and add in the injury woes he has had to start the season, there is quite a bit of risk in acquiring him. However, these last four games cannot be ignored and the analytical profile paints a similar pitcher to what he was in his Cy Young-winning 2023 campaign.

According to Jon Heyman of the NY Post, it appears the Giants are certainly open to moving Snell. With a $30 million player option next season, and the Giants trending toward the need for a rebuild, the question of how much Snell would cost is an interesting one. Especially given how strong he has started to pitch. Another interesting factor; the Mets are already reportedly interested in another Giants player in Michael Conforto.

Jack Flaherty

After battling through injuries the past few seasons, Jack Flaherty has quietly emerged as one of the better starters in the American League for the Detroit Tigers this season. Flaherty’s 2.5 fWAR checks in at 11th in the AL, while his 2.95 ERA is ninth. Across 18 starts, the 28-year-old right-handed starter has tossed 106 2/3 innings posting 133 strikeouts and only 19 walks.

Flaherty’s analytical profile in 2024 is also quite strong. As mentioned above, his ability to strikeout opposing batters has been one of the best in the big leagues. His strikeout rate ranks in the league’s 93rd percentile, thanks in large part to a 94th percentile whiff rate and 78th percentile chase rate. He is not allowing hard contact either; as both his hard-hit rate and average exit velocity against rank in the 72nd percentile. He is doing all this without walking batters; owning a 93rd percentile walk rate.

It has been a terrific bounce-back season for Flaherty, and with his one-year, $14 million deal expiring after season’s end, he is likely to cash in during the offseason. Given the current landscape of the market, Flaherty is likely one of the top starters remaining, this despite being a rental. With the Mets seemingly being tied to left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin every offseason, would a package deal with both Flaherty and Chafin, albeit likely pricey, make sense?

Erick Fedde

Former Washington Nationals pitcher Erick Fedde was once a starting pitcher the Mets were very interested in during the offseason. However, he signed a two-year deal worth $15 million with the Chicago White Sox. This interest has supposedly been reignited as Joel Sherman of the NY Post reported the Mets have indeed checked in on Fedde after the injury to Senga. Given his performance thus far in 2024 with the White Sox, he is one of the more sought out pitchers on the market ahead of the deadline.

Fedde revived his career in Korea as a member of the KBO’s NC Dinos. Fedde captured the KBO’s Choi Dong-won award in 2023, which is equivalent to the Cy Young award. He posted a 20-6 record with a 2.00 ERA over 30 starts and 180 1/3 innings, totaling 209 strikeouts to only 35 walks and 137 hits. These numbers were also good enough to win the KBO’s Triple Crown. He parlayed that success into a two-year deal and a very successful 2024 season, thus far.

After posting a 5.41 ERA across his six-year Washington Nationals career, Fedde has posted a 2.98 ERA across 117 2/3 innings in his return to the majors so far this season. He has allowed only 99 hits to go along with 104 strikeouts. The analytics say that his 2.98 ERA may be a bit deceiving, but the overall picture is still very strong. Fedde ranks above the league’s 60th percentile in xERA, average exit velocity, hard-hit rate, walk rate, and ground ball rate.

Not only is the 31-year-old right-handed starter having a solid season, he is under contract in 2025 for an extremely valuable $7.5 million. Given this, one would assume that any potential trade for Fedde would not come cheap. Maybe, as is the case with some of the others mentioned on this list, the Mets would be interested in packaging him with along with reliever John Brebbia.

Jameson Taillon. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Jameson Taillon

The Chicago Cubs are enduring another subpar season which means they are likely to sell once again. One of their potential chips is starting pitcher Jameson Taillon. Taillon has not only had a strong 2024, but he would also be able to help the Mets beyond this season. The 32-year-old right-handed starter is under contract for $18 million per year through the end of 2026.

The first season of Taillon’s four-year deal with Chicago did not go as planned. He tossed 154 1/3 innings, however, he posted an ERA of 4.84 and FIP of 4.61. Luckily, for the Cubs and the 32-year-old, Taillon has bounced back thus far this season. Through 17 starts, he has posted a 2.96 ERA and 3.77 FIP. These numbers would be the best marks of his career since missing most of the 2019 season and all of 2020.

The analytical profile isn’t as pretty as the traditional numbers paint his season out to be, granted, they’re not bad by any means. His 3.68 xERA is a strong number, but indicates he has experienced some good fortune. The soft-tosser has specifically done a good job of limiting hard contact (69th percentile hard-hit rate) and does not walk batters (89th percentile walk rate). Overall, despite some potential evidence for regression, Taillon has been solid in 2024.

On one hand, acquiring Taillon would not only help the Mets for the remainder of the season, it would also lock down a rotation spot through the end of 2026. However, there is quite a bit of risk associated with acquiring the eight-year veteran. An annual average salary of $18 million is a decent commitment on a 32-year-old pitcher with injury concerns and one who is slightly over-performing in 2024. However, if he can keep the current performances up over the duration of the deal, he can provide great value and lock down a middle rotation spot for the next couple seasons.

Yusei Kikuchi

Yusei Kikuchi has had a very up-and-down major-league career after coming over from Japan in 2019. He owns a career 4.72 ERA, and currently owns a mark three point higher than that (4.75) so far this season. This after a career-year in 2023 where he posted a 3.86 ERA across 167 2/3 innings with a 11-6 record. What may be the most valuable aspect of Kikuchi’s major-league career; his durability. The left-handed starter has thrown at least 100 innings in each of the last four seasons.

Kikuchi’s 3.64 FIP he has posted thus far in 2024 would be the second-best mark of his now six-year career. His xERA of 3.97 further indicates that the 4.75 ERA is a bit deceiving and he has likely been a victim of some tough luck and poor fielding behind him. Further analysis into Kikuchi’s analytical profile paints a pitcher that has been doing a solid job in generating strikeouts (75th percentile) and whiffs (72nd percentile); 130 punch-outs across 115 2/3 innings. The analytical profile overall paints him as a middle-of-the-road starter, which would be upgrades over current Mets Megill, Peterson, Scott, and even Quintana.

The 33-year-old is slated to be a free agent at season’s end, carrying a salary of only $10 million. This will likely lead to him being one of the more sought out starters at the deadline, especially for teams who are looking to buy on a budget. Given this, and the fact that the Mets’ rotation currently features three left-handed starters, the team may want to go a different route. However, if they chose to deal for the Japanese starter, he would be an instant upgrade over several current options in the rotation.

Final Thoughts

After hitting what seemed like rock bottom earlier in the year at 22-33, the New York Mets are poised to contend for one of the three wild card spots for the remainder of the 2024 season. This puts president of baseball operations David Stearns in an extremely interesting spot. All of a sudden, the team is poised to be a buyer rather than seller. Something that appeared to be an outlandish proposition just months ago, and is not really in line with how the team’s timeline forecasted entering the season.

For those reasons, Stearns would be wise to not “over-buy” and potentially compromise the ultimate goal of building a sustained winner through a strong farm system. If that is possible to keep that mindset while acquiring any of the five mentioned above, the Mets would be a lot better for it.

Of course, it is much easier said than done, especially with some of the names out there (likely Snell), however, that is what the excitement of the trade deadline is all about.

The post Five Potential Deadline Starter Replacements For Kodai Senga appeared first on Metsmerized.

The Mets announced they’ve traded right-handed pitching prospect Tyler Stuart to the Nationals for veteran outfielder Jesse Winker. Stuart was the Mets’ No. 19 prospect on our most recent update.

Stuart, 24, had a 3.96 ERA, and 90 strikeouts compared to only 20 walks this season in 84 innings for Double-A Binghamton.

Winker has a 139 wRC+ vs. right-handed pitching this season. The Mets’ leaders before the trade were Brandon Nimmo and Harrison Bader at 123 wRC+.

Original Post – July 28 at 00:34

The New York Mets are working to finalize a deal that will send Washington Nationals outfielder Jesse Winker to Queens, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Passan added that the deal is still pending a physical and cannot become official until that happens. There also has not been a reported return as of yet.

The 30-year-old has bounced back in a big way for the Washington Nationals in 2024. On the season, he is slashing .257/.374/419 (.793 OPS) to go along with 11 home runs and 45 RBIs. Winker has specifically excelled against right-handed pitching, owning an .840 OPS. The Mets needed to find a left-handed bat and Winker will contribute right away to an outfield that needed an offensive boost.

Winker signed a one-year deal with the Nationals this past offseason for $2 million and will be a free agent at the conclusion of the season. Winker is added to a trio of pre-deadline additions, joining relievers Phil Maton and Ryne Stanek.

President of baseball operations David Stearns sending a clear message that the Mets are buying ahead of the July 30 MLB trade deadline. New York currently resides in the third wild card spot with a 55-49 record.

Story will be updated as additional information is reported. 

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