Mets Deadline Checklist: What to Move and What to Keep

Rental Relievers

Brooks Raley sits at a 2.04 ERA over 35.1 innings, but his peripherals sit a little higher with a 3.62 xERA and a 15.5% K‑BB split. A.J. Minter has been even tighter in 19 frames, posting a 1.42 ERA while matching those same peripheral numbers. Neither arm cracks the top tier, yet a return similar to what Ryan Helsley fetched last season—Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm and Frank Elissal—remains plausible. The Mets should still walk away with a handful of intriguing prospects from either deal, though the upside is modest.

Adequate buyers exist for these arms, including the Cubs, Twins, Astros, Pirates and Mariners. These clubs could use a bounce‑back story or a low‑risk arm to plug gaps in their bullpens. While the return may not match elite talent, the prospect package could fit a contender looking for depth. The deadline window is short, so the Mets must act quickly to secure any interest.

Control‑Restricted Arms

Huascar Brazobán posts a 2.76 ERA backed by a 2.90 xERA, offering reliability as an opener or middle‑inning reliever. Though he lacks elite swing‑and‑miss stuff, the 36‑year‑old remains under team control through 2030, which slightly cushions his trade value. A modest return is expected, likely better than the infield prospect Wilfredo Lara the Mets surrendered in a prior deal. Teams seeking a veterans with a floor can find interest, but the price will be limited.

Luke Weaver stands out as one of the 10‑20 best relievers this season and is signed for a reasonable $12.5 million in 2027, giving an acquirer two years of control. He should fetch a top‑100‑level prospect, though not the Jhoan Duran or Mason Miller-caliber pieces the Mets would have liked. A handful of contenders could view his contract as manageable and his performance as a worthwhile risk. Potential buyers span the league, with any team able to absorb his $12.5 million handling the salary comfortably.

Devin Williams is the least likely arm to move, locked into a two‑year, $30 million deal and posting a 4.83 ERA with three blown saves. Some clubs might still sniff at his peripherals and decide to buy low, echoing how the Braves moved on a similar profile with Raisel Iglesias in 2022. The Mets would welcome any offer that helps shed the remaining contract, even if it’s a modest one. At present, serious suitors are scarce, but the market could shift quickly.

Starting Pitchers

Freddy Peralta, despite a rough season, still carries a 3.82 xERA and could rebound to prior form for a team in need of rotation depth. His peripherals suggest the inflated ERA may be a fluke, giving a buyer a chance at a rebound story. The Mets are unlikely to receive two top‑100 prospects in return— what they paid for Peralta at the deadline—but a deal should exceed the QO value. Astros, Cubs, Braves and the White Sox have shown interest in armes with similar profiles.

Clay Holmes, returning from a fibula fracture, adds intrigue as a potential buy‑low starter should his health hold up. A player option in his contract adds complexity, but the upside of a healthy mid‑rotation arm remains appealing. The Mets can likely extract something of value, even if the market is tempered by the injury risk. Teams looking to bolster a shaky rotation without overpaying have crossed Holmes off their lists.

Outfielders

Tyrone Taylor, a free agent after this season, has dropped to a fourth‑outfield role behind Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing, limiting his trade appeal. His bat has rebounded some from a down 2025, but the overall risk is low for a team seeking depth. A modest prospect package could be extracted, but the return would likely be limited. Potential buyers include the Marlins, Phillies, Astros, Blue Jays and Guardians, all of which could use a veteran depth piece.

Luis Robert Jr., nearing a return from a lumbar‑spine issue, brings upside as a potential center‑field aligner with a team option for next year. He was hitting well before his injury, suggesting he could provide immediate impact if health holds. The Mets might receive more than they originally gave, especially as Luisangel Acuña’s struggles have opened the door for playing time. Contenders looking for a high‑ceiling outfielder could be intrigued, though they’ll weigh the injury history carefully.

Catchers

Luis Torrens, locked into a two‑year extension, has been given more work behind the dish than Francisco Alvarez, despite a 71 DRC+ and modest bat metrics. His defensive metrics rank well under both Baseball Prospectus and Statcast, but the offense tells a different story. The Mets have kept Torrens in the role, making a trade unlikely without a massive return. Teams such as the Yankees, Astros, Red Sox and Rangers could use a catcher with defensive pedigree, but the market is thin.

Francisco Alvarez, a 24‑year‑old with above‑average offense and peripherals, has been shifted toward a DH role due to the Mets’ catching plans. His framing has regressed, possibly due to past hand injuries, limiting his value behind the plate. Keeping him as a DH makes sense given his bat, and the market for backup catchers is limited to names like Hunter Goodman and Ryan Jeffers. A deal could be struck if a club needs an offensive catcher, but the return would need to be compelling.

Bo Bichette

Bo Bichette’s contract structure, including an opt‑in for next season, makes him essentially immovable at the deadline. His “general leg and right ankle soreness” kept him out before the All‑Star break, adding to the risk profile. Any team willing to take on the remaining salary would be challenged to see immediate returns. The list of potential buyers is essentially nonexistent, as most clubs cannot absorb the contract without sacrificing future flexibility.

Francisco Lindor

Francisco Lindor, a 32‑year‑old shortstop with roughly $170 million remaining on his contract, shows signs of aging in his metrics and on‑field performance. The recent Steve Cohen podcast highlighted tension with Juan Soto, fueling speculation that Lindor may want out. A trade would require a team willing to accept the remaining contract and a no‑trade clause waiver, narrowing the suitors to the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Mariners and Padres. Despite interest, most clubs view the financial commitment as too costly for his current level of play.

The Mets could find a window if a club is willing to accept a declining veteran and has room under the luxury tax, but the likelihood remains low. Rumors may swirl, yet a concrete deal appears unlikely unless a desperate contender emerges. Even if a transaction materializes, the public relations impact would be significant, especially with cross‑town rivals. Monitoring the market will be key, but the odds favor Lindor staying through the season.