Mets Fire Sale Looms as Stearns Sets Players Up for Trade

Stearns Prepares Roster Purge

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns is positioning most of his roster for an extended audition with roughly two dozen clubs. According to SNY, the pending fire sale excludes Juan Soto, Nolan McLean, Carson Benge, AJ Ewing and Christian Scott. The timing lines up with the second half of the MLB season, offering Stearns a fresh window to reshape the roster before the trade deadline.

Only five clubs—three in the NL and two in the AL—are at least ten games out of the Wild Card race, leaving sellers like Stearns in a strong price‑driving position. The Mets sit at 41‑57, 15.5 games behind the NL East‑leading Atlanta Braves, and just earned a 4‑1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Top Trade Targets Emerge

Bo Bichette, one of the league’s biggest offseason acquisitions, has become a scapegoat after a slow start. Through May 17 he hit .210 with two homers and 18 RBI, though he brought 51 RBI into the second half. His $5 million opt‑out looms as the collective bargaining talks heat up, and he went 0‑for‑4 against the Phillies on Thursday.

Francisco Lindor, now in his sixth season, has dealt with health setbacks and appeared in only 40 first‑half games. His slash line sits at .216/.298/.373, and his defensive play has drawn questions. The five‑time All‑Star’s 10‑year, $341 million contract still has five years remaining, and SNY’s Jim Duquette notes “the market is very limited” with one team calling his contract “immovable.” Lindor also went 0‑for‑4 Thursday.

Freddy Peralta, acquired over the winter, has struggled to meet expectations. A 4.66 ERA and no win since June 14 highlight his downturn, including a 6.39 ERA across five June starts. In July his first three outings yielded ten runs without reaching the fifth inning, though his 2024‑25 combined record remains 28‑15. He is slated for Monday’s matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers.

With Stearns openly listing these players, the Mets’ front office is effectively cornering the pre‑trade‑deadline market. Contenders looking to lock down postseason spots may find value in these assets, while the Mets aim to reap returns that could help close the gap to the Braves and Wild Card chase. The fire sale signals a pivot toward rebuilding or adding pieces for a deeper run at the division, depending on how the market reacts.