With the trade deadline less than 24 hours away, the New York Mets have made a game-changing move. As rumored for weeks, the Mets were expected to add to their bullpen to strengthen their postseason push. What no one expected, however, was that San Francisco Giants veteran Tyler Rogers would be on the market, and on Wednesday afternoon, David Stearns made his move, executing a trade for the 34-year-old sidearmer to bolster the Mets’ relief corps.
In return, the Mets sent away No. 10 prospect SP Blade Tidwell, No. 12 prospect CF Drew Gilbert, and reliever José Buttó, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Many are focusing on the prospects going out, but let’s not forget just how good Tyler Rogers has been. The career-long Giant has been one of MLB’s most consistent relievers, posting an ERA under 3.05 in four of the last five seasons with at least 70 innings pitched. In 2025, he’s been even better: a 1.80 ERA in 53 appearances with one of the league’s best strikeout-to-walk ratios (9.5).
Yes, Rogers is a rental and will hit free agency after this season, but he gives the Mets exactly what they needed — a proven arm for the seventh and eighth innings.
We have acquired RHP Tyler Rogers from San Francisco in exchange for RHP José Buttó, RHP Blade Tidwell, and OF Drew Gilbert.
Welcome to New York, Tyler! pic.twitter.com/AHIEo2nCQg
— New York Mets (@Mets) July 30, 2025
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Breaking Down the Tyler Rogers Trade to the Mets
Why the Price Isn’t That Bad
Log onto Twitter and scroll through the comments on this trade, and you’ll see a lot to the effect of “the Mets were fleeced.” This comes after weeks of complaints that David Stearns would sit on his hands at the deadline. Yes, these prospects could develop into valuable pieces over the next four seasons, and yes, Gilbert was part of the Justin Verlander return in 2023. But context matters.
Blade Tidwell – SP (No. 10 prospect)
Tidwell made his MLB debut on May 4 against the St. Louis Cardinals, lasting just 3 2/3 innings and allowing six runs. Overall, he totaled 15 innings in the big leagues with a 9.00 ERA and only 10 strikeouts. With Jonah Tong, Nolan McLean, and Brandon Sproat already ahead of him in the pecking order, Tidwell’s future as a rotation piece in Queens looked shaky. At 24, his clock was ticking.
Drew Gilbert – CF (No. 12 prospect)
This was the name that surprised most fans, but it makes sense when you break it down. The Mets had three options:
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Keep Gilbert in the minors and risk losing him in the Rule 5 draft.
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Add him to the 40-man roster and get him reps in center field the rest of the season.
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Could you move him for a piece that can help now?
Stearns and the front office chose option three. Gilbert still has potential, but he’s been underwhelming since arriving in the Mets system. Once ranked as the No. 2 prospect in 2024, he’s now fallen 10 spots in less than a year. At 24 years old, and with 2024 first-round pick Carson Benge rapidly climbing the ranks, Gilbert’s long-term fit in the outfield wasn’t guaranteed.
José Buttó – RP
Buttó was a key bullpen arm in 2024 (2.55 ERA in 74 IP), but 2025 hasn’t gone the same way. He recently returned from an illness and hasn’t found his form. The Mets feel they can replace him, especially with Tylor Megill expected back in September.
What’s Next?
This trade isn’t the end of the Mets’ deadline plans. MLB reporter Michael Marino has already said the team is still in the market for another bullpen arm and a center fielder. The latest rumors have the Mets as “front-runners” for Luis Robert Jr., with a potential price tag of Luisangel Acuña plus another solid prospect. Another name to watch is Pittsburgh Pirates reliever David Bednar, who has bounced back with a strong 2025 season.
In other words, the Mets’ roster could look drastically different 24 hours from now. David Stearns has made it clear he’s going for it — and this Rogers trade might only be the beginning.
Main Photo Credit: © Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images
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