With six weeks until MLB’s 2025 trade deadline, the Mets’ more glaring needs are becoming increasingly apparent.
An aggressive approach at the deadline could be the difference between making New York a legitimate World Series contender or a regular-season special, though president of baseball operations, David Stearns, will continue to toe the line of not depleting the depth of his farm system to do so.
Let’s take an early look on where the Mets might be looking to improve by July 31.
Starting pitching
Depth had been abundant within the starting rotation through the first eight weeks of the season, but it is being tested now.
Kodai Senga (hamstring) is out for a month, joined on the IL days later by Tylor Megill (elbow), who will also miss four to five weeks. This, while Frankie Montas’ stuff has been underwhelming during his rehab assignment from a lat injury. Sean Manaea is slowly working his way back from an oblique injury after he suffered a setback last month.
As it stands, the Mets have four healthy, viable starters in David Peterson, Paul Blackburn, Clay Holmes, and Griffin Canning, but Blackburn and Canning have struggled in the last week and a half, and the minor-league options do not provide long-term confidence if needed.
One more viable arm could make a world of difference down the stretch, especially if Montas’ struggles continue at the MLB level upon his return.
Bullpen
New York’s bullpen has exceeded expectations this season, particularly Reed Garrett and Huascar Brazoban, though both were a part of the meltdown in Atlanta on Tuesday night.
But there is a noticeable lack of left-handed options after the injury bug sapped the bullpen earlier this year. Southpaws Danny Young and AJ Minter went down with season-ending knocks just days apart from each other. Brooks Raley, who is rehabbing from Tommy John, is still at least a month away from returning.
Jose Castillo has served as the only lefty reliever lately, with Brandon Waddell making occasional appearances from Triple-A when necessary.
Center field
The center-field platoon of Jose Siri and Tyrone Taylor has turned into just the latter after Siri suffered a fractured tibia in April.
Initially given an eight-to-12-week timetable, Siri has suffered a setback and still has not participated in baseball activities.
Taylor has served admirably as the everyday center fielder, particularly with his steady, shining defense. But this is not the role he is meant to be in, and a .651 OPS further proves that.
The Mets need a more complete option to take over in center and bolster the bottom-third of the lineup without having to rely on playing natural infielders like Jeff McNeil or Luisangel Acuna out there.
