When the New York Mets added Juan Soto to their roster following a pennant race in 2024, they still failed to address some of their other glaring holes. David Stearns made a flurry of moves similar to the prior offseason, finding players who fit his analytical, cost-efficient strategy. Clay Holmes and Frankie Montas were brought aboard to help the rotation, along with Griffin Canning to provide depth. For the bullpen, the Mets brought back Ryne Stanek and signed former Brave A.J. Minter, who went down early with a season-ending shoulder injury. The team failed to adequately address the potential for injuries — an issue that has once again become a major problem. To fill the void left by Harrison Bader, Stearns traded for Jose Siri, an elite baserunner and defender with a below-average bat.
Yes, the Mets are well over .500, but simply watching the games reveals deeper issues. The team lacks volume throughout the lineup. When Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso aren’t in career-worst slumps, they, along with Soto and Brandon Nimmo, carry the offense. Stearns has said the team won’t pursue outside options at third base, but didn’t rule out outfield additions. Siri has played in just 10 games with only one hit, leaving Tyrone Taylor as the team’s lone true center fielder.
The pitching side is even more concerning. At one point, the Mets had the best team ERA in baseball, but have since dropped to eighth. They currently have nine impactful pitchers on the injured list between the rotation and bullpen, though Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea recently returned.
With the Mets looking to improve their current flaws, here’s what the perfect trade deadline could look like:
The Mets’ Dream Trade Deadline
Addressing the Center Field Question
Mets get: CF Luis Robert Jr.
White Sox get: No. 14 SP Blade Tidwell, No. 20 C/1B Chris Suero
Luis Robert hasn’t had the type of season the Chicago White Sox would hope for when trying to move him at the deadline. The former top prospect was untouchable in past years due to his upside — elite baserunning, great fielding, and power at the plate. But in 2025, that bat has fallen off. He’s currently hitting .206 with a .636 OPS and a 78 OPS+. That said, he’s been heating up lately, slashing .364/.400/.576 with a 1.023 OPS over his last 10 games.
For the Mets, Robert wouldn’t cost as much as his former price tag. A package centered around Blade Tidwell and another lower-tier top-30 prospect might get it done. Tidwell had a brief stint on the major league roster and posted a 9.00 ERA through 15 innings.
Robert is under team control through 2027, giving the Mets a capable center fielder for the next few seasons until a prospect like Carson Benge or Jett Williams is ready. He would be an immediate upgrade over Taylor, and a change of scenery could help his production rebound.
Reinforcing the Rotation and Bullpen
Mets get: SP Mitch Keller, RP David Bednar
Pirates get: 2B Luisangel Acuña, No. 6 OF Ryan Clifford, No. 30 SS/3B Colin Houck
Believe it or not, Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar is back to All-Star form. The two-time All-Star struggled early in 2025 and was sent down to Triple-A Indianapolis. Since returning in mid-April, Bednar is 14-for-14 in save opportunities with a 1.36 ERA, 44 strikeouts in 34 innings, and a 2–3 record. He’d give the Mets a high-leverage option before Edwin Díaz, offering a different look with a high-90s fastball and curveball as his secondary pitch.
David Bednar last 21 games:
20.1 IP
0.00 ERA
26 SO pic.twitter.com/eLr2BFUM2D— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 23, 2025
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Mitch Keller is another intriguing piece. While his 3–10 record doesn’t stand out, that’s largely due to poor run support. Keller has a 3.48 ERA across 119 innings and is a reliable middle-of-the-rotation starter.
The Mets are crowded in the infield with Ronny Mauricio, Luisangel Acuña, Brett Baty, and Mark Vientos. All were once top prospects, but none have solidified themselves at the major league level. According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, the team is open to trading from this young infield group.
Of the four, Acuña has shown the least progress, currently serving as a bench piece used primarily for defense and baserunning. Clifford, acquired in the Max Scherzer trade, has power upside with 17 home runs already in Double-A.
Adding a Left-Handed Piece to the Pen
Mets get: RP Hoby Milner
Rangers get: No. 15 RHP Trey Snyder, No. 18 RHP Nate Dohm
Hoby Milner is the ideal trade deadline pickup: a proven veteran on an affordable one-year, $2.5 million deal. In 47 appearances for the Texas Rangers, Milner is 1–2 with a 2.25 ERA across 48 innings. His sidearm delivery offers a different look to opposing hitters and would be a useful weapon in the Mets’ bullpen.
This would also be a reunion for Milner and David Stearns, who were together during Milner’s four years with the Brewers. A deadline trade for Milner would likely cost the Mets a pair of lower-tier top-30 prospects — a reasonable price for a contending team.
Searching for a Reliable Setup Option
Mets get: RP Griffin Jax
Twins get: No. 7 SS Jesús Báez, No. 22 RHP Jonathan Pintaro
Minnesota Twins reliever Griffin Jax has been linked to the Mets for weeks. While his 3.92 ERA may not pop on paper, he’s been one of the best relievers in baseball by advanced metrics. He leads the league in xFIP among relievers and has a 14.37 K/9 — trailing only Fernando Cruz and Mason Miller.
Jax would be an ideal setup man ahead of Díaz. Unlike some of the other trade targets, though, Jax won’t come cheap. Báez is a player the Mets are high on, but with Francisco Lindor locked in at short and Jett Williams rising, his long-term path to playing time is unclear.
Acquiring Jax would also eliminate the need to go all-in for All-Star closer Jhoan Duran — a move that would likely cost the Mets Ronny Mauricio and more.
Main Photo Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
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