A deep dive into who the Mets should and shouldn't trade

Plus, a positive injury update on Clay Holmes and the Mets are back in action later today...

What’s Up with the Mets? ⚾️

• The Mets were off on Friday but will resume their series with the Phillies this afternoon

• The Mets appear to be open for business as the Trade Deadline approaches but, unlike in 2023, the team reportedly “have no desire to pay down contracts” (SNY)

• According to reports, the Mets were among the teams found to be exploiting a loophole regarding the use of AI with dugout iPads before an MLB crackdown (NY Post)

• Ron Hunt, the first Met to start in an All-Star Game and who once held the MLB record for hit-by-pitches, sadly passed away at the age of 85 (MLB.com)

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Injury Updates 🏥

• RHP Clay Holmes (fractured fibula) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Brooklyn on Saturday as he continues to progress towards making a return

• CF Luis Robert Jr. (Lumbar spine inflammation) went 1-for-3 with a double, two walks and a run scored in his latest rehab outing for Triple-A Syracuse on Friday

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Rumor Mill 💨

• SS Francisco Lindor isn’t a fit for the Yankees and isn’t a priority. However, other players like C Luis Torrens, RHP Clay Holmes, and RHP Luke Weaver could be if the two teams are willing to deal (NY Post)

• Multiple executives around baseball have deemed the chances of the Mets dealing Lindor at the deadline as “unlikely” (The Athletic)

• Multiple teams are expected to scout RHP Clay Holmes’ rehab outing later today (The Athletic)

• The Phillies are expected to make bolstering the bullpen a real priority ahead of the deadline (MLB.com)

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The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️

In a new special edition of the Just Mets Podcast, Rich is joined by Mets prospect guru Ernest Dove of the Dove Report to discuss the current state of the Mets and what the farm system’s updated roadmap looks like.

SUBSCRIBE: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

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Down on the Farm 🌾

• SS Ronny Mauricio (Triple-A): 2-for-5, 1 R, 2 RBIs, 1 HR

• RF MJ Melendez (Triple-A): 3-for-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR

• 3B Christopher Morel (Triple-A): 2-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBIs, 1 HR

• RHP Noah Hall (High-A): 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K

• SS Mitch Voit (No. 5 prospect, High-A): 3-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 3 SB

• OF John Bay (High-A): 3-for-5, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 3B

• SS Elian Peña (No. 6 prospect, Single-A): 2-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR

• OF Randy Guzman (No. 24 prospect, Single-A): 2-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 HR

BOX SCORES

Single-A SLU | High-A BRK | Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR

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Today’s Game 🗓

Match-up: Mets (41-57) at Phillies (54-44)

Where: Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

Starters: LHP Sean Manaea (2-4, 4.56 ERA) vs. LHP Jesús Luzardo (8-4, 3.51 ERA)

When: 4:05 PM EDT

Where to Watch: SNY

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Let’s play a game of Trade or Don’t Trade! ✍️

AP

With the Mets enjoying an off day on Friday, I thought today would be the perfect opportunity to both hone in on the Trade Deadline and have a little fun at the same time.

I’m going to play a little game I like to call “Trade or Don’t Trade!” The premise is simple: I’ll go through a list of Mets players that could be dealt over the coming weeks, and assess whether the team should trade them or keep hold of them. It really is that easy.

Now, according to reports, only Juan Soto, A.J. Ewing, Carson Benge, Christian Scott, and Nolan McLean are safe, so I won’t include those players, nor will I cover every single other player on the roster; otherwise, we’d be here all weekend. Instead, I’ll pick out the most notable names and go from there.

Okay, now the rules are explained, let’s start playing Trade or Don’t Trade!

Francisco Lindor

Notably, Francisco Lindor’s name was not on the untouchables list, yet all reports suggest that it is highly unlikely the shortstop will get dealt at the Trade Deadline. I’m starting to get the feeling that the relationship between the player and the team may not be all that great right now, and maybe by getting it out in the public domain that Lindor is available is the front office’s way of trying to convince the player to give away some of his significant leverage and make a potential trade easier. That’s only my hunch, but I think it is a situation worth keeping an eye on.

In any case, I don’t think Lindor should be traded at the deadline or during the offseason. I still think that he should be regarded as an incredibly important player for this franchise. Yes, this year has been a car crash for Lindor, who has struggled both offensively and defensively. However, I think you have to take into account the fact that he missed a lot of time, plus maybe all the noise surrounding his relationship with Juan Soto, coupled with the team’s struggles, has had an impact mentally. If the Mets can get Lindor right the rest of the way in 2026, then I’m confident he’ll be a big-time contributor in 2027. Plus, he’s exactly the type of leader you want when building a team around a core of young players.

Trade or Don’t Trade: DON’T TRADE

Freddy Peralta

It will be fascinating to see the kind of return the Mets get for Freddy Peralta. His time in Queens has been an absolute bust, and he’s only gotten worse as the months have ticked by. He’s currently pitching to an ugly 4.66 ERA and has allowed 18 earned runs over his last five starts.

With that being said, the demand for starting pitching will be high and there will be several teams who will believe that they can get the train back on the tracks with Peralta. Therefore, if the Mets can get a decent package in return, then it makes sense to trade the righty because he’s clearly not been comfortable pitching in New York.

Trade or Don’t Trade: TRADE

Jason Szenes - NY Post

Luke Weaver

According to Chelsea Janes of SNY, the Mets aren’t just looking for prospect capital at the Trade Deadline. They also want pieces back that can help them compete in 2027. Therefore, they are going to have to walk a delicate tightrope of retaining some talent while also acquiring more to help fix a flawed roster.

Arguably the most tricky area to manage is the bullpen. The Mets have plenty of relievers that will generate a ton of interest, but they will also need to keep some pieces to build around for next year. With that in mind, Luke Weaver is a really compelling case study. He’s been far and away the team’s best and most reliable relief pitcher in 2026, and, under control for next season too, he will be one of the best relievers available.

Part of me is compelled to say that the Mets should keep hold of Weaver and build the entire 2027 bullpen around him. However, if I’m thinking with just my head, the return for the righty could be substantial and could help to address several areas of weakness on the roster. It would probably be wise for the front office to drive up the price on Weaver as high as they possibly can in order to get a great return.

Trade or Don’t Trade: TRADE

Clay Holmes

I’m going to make this incredibly easy - the Mets absolutely shouldn’t look to deal Clay Holmes. As mentioned already, the Mets are dancing the delicate dance of trying to reload while also needing to be in a position to compete in 2027. As a result, you can’t get rid of every single talented player on the roster.

Holmes has been David Stearns’ biggest success story so far, and he was without a doubt the team’s most reliable arm this year before going down hurt. He’s developed into a really nice dependable starter for the Mets, and I think that has a lot of value on its own. Personally, I think the front office should be making signing Holmes to an extension an absolute priority and ensuring he’s a cornerstone of the starting rotation going forward.

Trade or Don’t Trade: DON’T TRADE

A.J. Minter / Brooks Raley

I’m going to combine A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley here because they are both lefty relievers with a lot of trade value. Contending teams always need high-end lefty arms, and the Mets could get some nice pieces back if they trade both Minter and Raley.

Trade or Don’t Trade: TRADE

C Francisco Alvarez

This is a really interesting one. I think there is a tendency to keep getting lost in Francisco Alvarez’s potential, especially because he was once a top prospect. However, the catcher has been around long enough now where I think we know who he is as a player, and I’m not convinced that his ceiling will get much higher. With that said, maybe there’s a team out there convinced that they can unlock Alvarez’s full power and potential and be willing to offer a considerable package in return. If that’s the case, I think the Mets need to move on.

Trade or Don’t Trade: TRADE

C Luis Torrens

If I were running the Mets - be thankful for small mercies that I’m not - I would trade Alvarez and keep Luis Torrens. Torrens is a better defensive catcher by a comfortable stretch, and he can contribute offensively. Okay, so he’s not got as much power and as much offensive upside as Alvarez does, but I think he’s the all-round safer bet as a catcher. Plus, I’d use some of the prospect capital the Mets accrue at the deadline to go and find a young catcher to pair with Torrens and run with that duo behind the plate for the foreseeable future. I also like Torrens’ leadership and his ability to come through with the odd clutch hit.

Trade or Don’t Trade: DON’T TRADE

Getty Images

INF Mark Vientos / INF Brett Baty / INF Ronny Mauricio

I’m putting these three players together in the same group because I think they are all in similar situations. Firstly, it might be hard to move Mark Vientos at the moment owing to the fact that he’s injured, but if there is a team willing to trade for Vientos now, then the Mets must absolutely pull the trigger. I just don’t think there’s any future for Vientos in Queens, and I’m sure both parties would benefit from a fresh start.

It is a little more tricky when it comes to Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio, but ultimately, unless the Mets can move certain veterans and commit to regular roles for both Baty and Mauricio, then it is probably best to look at moving the pair. Both players have talent, both players have potential, but both players currently don’t have a path to regular playing time with the Mets, and it could be a case of trying to sell high now, especially as it pertains to Baty. I’d like to see both players stay, but it might make more sense to try and trade them.

Trade or Don’t Trade: TRADE

3B Bo Bichette

Again, unless the Mets are secretly committing to a full-blown rebuild or teardown, they will need to retain a decent chunk of talent. That’s why I think Bo Bichette should be considered part of the future. Not to mention the fact that it would be hard to move his contract at this point, while he also has opt-outs built into his deal.

It has hardly been a stellar first year in Queens for Bichette, who is currently hitting .253/.297/.372/.670 with 10 homers and 51 RBIs. However, we have seen glimpses of just how productive Bichette can be at the plate, and maybe he can get hot down the stretch and prove that he’s worth keeping hold of over the long term. If not, the situation can always be revisited in the offseason.

Trade or Don’t Trade: DON’T TRADE

2B Marcus Semien / OF Luis Robert Jr.

I’ll preface this by clearly stating that I think it is highly unlikely either Marcus Semien or Luis Robert Jr. gets moved at the deadline, especially Semien. However, I include both players because I think it would be in the best interests of the Mets to try and jettison both players, even if the returns are minimal.

With Jorge Polanco set to mainly play DH, I hate the idea of Robert Jr. taking any amount of playing time away from A.J. Ewing or Carson Benge. I don’t think the Mets should mess with the outfield at this point. As for Semien, he’s probably worth keeping around because of his defense, even though that has regressed this year, but trading Semien would also likely open up a bigger role for one of Baty or Mauricio, and that would be the better long-term option for the Mets. At this point, I don’t think this team can afford to have these kinds of veteran players blocking the way for a younger player that could have lots more to offer. Again, I can’t see a world in which the Mets find a willing trade partner for Semien or Robert Jr., but stranger things have happened, I guess.

Trade or Don’t Trade: TRADE

Honorable Mentions

The Mets need to keep some semblance of a bullpen together, so I think Devin Williams and Huascar Brazobán - although if the Mets get a big offer for the latter, that would probably be hard to turn down - should be considered safe. On the flip side, if there are any takers for the likes of Kodai Senga or Sean Manaea, I’d take the deal and run faster than Usain Bolt.

Who would you keep and move in your own game of Trade or Don’t Trade?

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Around the League 🚩

• Yankees OF Aaron Judge’s right rib has shown signs of healing, but he’s not ready to be cleared for baseball activities (MLB.com)

• Dodgers RHP Shohei Ohtani is expected to pitch on Wednesday after having an injection in his knee, although his workload will be managed (MLB.com)

• In a rematch of the 2024 World Series in the Bronx, the Dodgers beat the Yankees 2-1 thanks to RHP Roki Sasaki’s 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball with five strikeouts

• The Red Sox are now back to .500 after sweeping Friday’s doubleheader with the Rays for Boston’s first 11-game winning streak since 2016

• Braves RHP Víctor Mederos hit a two-run single as a pinch-hitter in Atlanta’s 15-1 win over the Rangers

• C Ryan Jeffers boosted his Trade Deadline stock by hitting a three-run homer in Minnesota’s 5-2 win over the Cubs

• Nationals 1B Andrés Chaparro finished with two homers and eight RBIs to help his team to a monster 23-4 romp over the A’s