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  • New York Mets Free Agent & Trade Rumors, Notes, & Tidbits

    The latest New York Mets free agent and trade rumors, along with notes and tidbits about the team.
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    Matthew Nethercott
    The Mets' fire sale is about to begin, and a new report indicates the Mets could move catcher Francisco Alvarez. According to Francys Romero, several teams in the American League have inquired about Alvarez's availability. Romero notes that the Mets are seeking a prospect package in return.
    Virtually the entire AL playoff picture (Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, White Sox, Rangers, etc.) is looking for catchers. With reports from the New York Post's Jon Heyman Tuesday morning that the Mets would like to hold onto Luis Torrens, the team's other catcher, moving Alvarez could make sense and bring back a decent return, especially with how much catching is coveted all over baseball.
    This is a big opportunity for the Mets to capitalize on a market that teams are trying to attack. Alvarez will come with years of control, so if the Mets do move him, they should look for the best possible return and not sell short on Alvarez.
    Steve Drumwright
    Could the Milwaukee Brewers reunite with former ace Freddy Peralta?
    In the latest edition of his podcast "Sources Tell Jeff Passan," ESPN's MLB insider sorts through a bunch of names as Monday's trade deadline approaches and, when talking about Peralta, Passan brings up a potential return to the Brewers for the right-hander, who Milwaukee shipped to New York in the offseason for two key prospects in infielder-center fielder Jett Williams and right-handed starter Brandon Sproat.
    The Mets were expected to be a contender in the NL East with the addition of Peralta, but enter play Tuesday at 45-62, the second-worst record in the NL and fourth-worst in MLB. The Brewers, meanwhile, sit atop the NL Central at 66-40 and trail the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in MLB by one game.
    Peralta's 4.47 FIP is the worst of his career and his 4.99 ERA is second-worst behind the 5.29 he put up in 2019, his first full season in the majors. Last year, Peralta had a 3.64 FIP and career-best 2.70 ERA, finishing fifth in NL Cy Young Award voting.
    "He's been terrible and it hurts playing in front of a Mets defense that (has been bad)," Passan said.
    While also mentioning and then dismissing the Chicago Cubs as a potential destination in a discussion with co-host Richard Staff, Passan broached the reunion possibility, which would mean David Stearns, the former Brewers president of baseball operations who now runs the Mets' front office, would ship Peralta back to not only the pitcher's former team, but the executive's ex-franchise as well.
    "One thing I did hear this week, Richard, is that the Mets have been talking with the Brewers about Freddy Peralta," Passan said. "I don't know if that's going to happen, but it's the kind of deal where you see what they would get back from Milwaukee, considering what they gave up, is that a trade that David Stearns politically—already just getting fileted every time he's mentioned in New York—is that something he can pull off? Could he actually deal him back to Milwaukee?"
    Staff, a Mets fan, retorted that the conspiracy theories would flood the radio talk shows with the much lesser return for Peralta than what the Mets gave up.
    Matthew Lenz
    The New York Mets are approaching the trade deadline as clear sellers, with their focus centered on moving impending free agents rather than filling holes on the major league roster. Their most appealing trade asset is a front-line starting pitcher, although a disappointing second half could dampen the return. Outside of those rentals, New York’s trade inventory is relatively thin, relying more on struggling veterans and prospects whose stock has slipped than on premium young talent.

    Robert Murray of FanSided is reporting that the Tampa Bay Rays have "shown interest" in New York Mets starter Freddy Peralta.

    The Rays bring plenty of trade capital to the table, headlined by one of the deepest farm systems in baseball and a payroll situation clean enough to take on money if needed. Their willingness to move even really productive players, evidenced by trading a top offensive second baseman away just months ago, shows they won’t hesitate to deal from a position of organizational depth rather than need. That combination of prospect capital and financial flexibility puts them in position to be aggressive with sellers looking to move MLB-ready talent before the deadline.
    Peralta, 30, is set to be a free agent at season's end. Despite looking like an ace with the Milwaukee Brewers, he has struggled with the Mets this year, posting a 4.99 ERA (4.47 FIP) with a career-low 12.7% strikeout-minus-walk (K-BB) rate.
    The Rays feel like a dangerous organization to trade with given their penchant for identifying and developing talent. Do you think the Mets should partner with them on a deal? Join the conversation in the comments!
     
     
    Matthew Lenz
    The New York Mets enter the deadline firmly in sell mode, looking to move impending free agents rather than address any real on-field need. Their pitching staff, particularly a front-of-rotation arm, headlines what they have to offer, though the return may be limited by underwhelming performance down the stretch. Beyond that rental market, the Mets don’t have much high-end young talent to dangle, since their trade chips mostly come down to underperforming veterans or prospects who’ve taken a step back.

    Buyers, such as the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, are reportedly interested in improving their catching corps, and Luis Torrens may be of interest to those teams. However, the Mets are reportedly not expected to move one of the best defensive backstops in the game.

    Jon Heyman of the NY Post is reporting that the New York Mets are "very reluctant" to trade the 30-year-old Torrens. While his defensive chops are well noted around the game, his production at the plate leaves something to be desired. Through 197 plate appearances, he is carrying a 74 wRC+ with just two home runs.
    Do you agree with the Mets for holding onto Torrens despite his poor production at the plate? Join the conversation in the comments!
     
     
    Steve Drumwright
    Brace yourself, New York Mets fans. In case you hadn't already.
    With the Mets entering Saturday with MLB's third-worst record, just ahead of the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Angels, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal is predicting a massive sell-off by president of baseball operations David Stearns.
    The five players who Rosenthal, who writes for The Athletic and was said this in his role as a dugout reporter during the Fox telecast of the Mets' game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, said are most likely to be moved before the Aug. 3 trade deadline are right-handed starters Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes, left-handed relievers Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter and right-handed reliever Luke Weaver as well as outfielders Luis Robert Jr. and Tyrone Taylor. Holmes is currently on a rehab assignment after sustaining a fractured right fibula on May 15. ROSENTHAL_0725.mp4
    "I expect them to make at least six trades," Rosenthal said. "You see Peralta and Holmes—Holmes has a player option, but he's like Shane Bieber from last year, coming off a significant injury, but will be in demand and is likely to decline that player option. The Mets don't seem interested in giving him an extension. The two lefty relievers, A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley. The outfielders, Luis Robert Jr. and Tyrone Taylor, and the big question will likely be not (shortstop Francisco) Lindor, but Luke Weaver. The Mets have him for another year. They want to compete in 2027, but the demand for relievers is always high."
    Rosenthal said that while the Mets would likely prefer young major-league talent in return, they would likely be getting prospects for many of the players expected to be traded away, with the reason being the players leaving the Mets are for the most part on contracts expiring after this season.
     
    Steve Drumwright
    For the second time this season, Juan Soto is shuffling off to the injured list.
    The superstar left fielder was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained right calf Saturday by the New York Mets, who called up first baseman Eric Wagaman from Triple-A Syracuse. Soto spent more than two weeks in April after straining his left calf. He had been dealing with the calf injury for more than a week, but was removed from Friday's game and hit the IL Saturday.
    Entering play Saturday, the All-Star is slashing .283/.408/.539 with 21 homers and 52 RBIs over 84 games. His .408 on-base percentage is the best in MLB. He has been one of the few bright spots in a dismal 2026 that had a would-be contender for the NL East title instead with the third-worst record in all of MLB at 43-61.
    Wagaman has been on the Syracuse shuttle since being designated by assignment by the Minnesota Twins in spring training. He has been optioned and DFA'd by the Mets a handful of times, including being sent down Monday when Luis Robert Jr. came off the 60-day injured list. Wagaman doesn't provide much offensively with a slash line of .162/.262/.324 with two homers and four RBIs in 21 games.
     
    Matthew Lenz
    As the New York Mets' disappointing season trudges along, rumors will begin to get rampant as we are less than two weeks away from the trade deadline. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic provided an update on two players who may be moved at the trade deadline. 
    Rosenthal reported that there "is preliminary interest from multiple teams" on outfielder Luis Robert Jr. He went on to report that "While the possibility remains that the Mets and Clay Holmes agree to an extension, there’s a significantly greater likelihood of a trade..."
    Robert Jr, 28, has been limited to 26 unproductive games so far this season. He's carrying a .648 OPS with three home runs and two stolen bases. While his hard-hit rate is respectable, his barrel and sweet spot rates don't indicate bad luck as his BABIP may suggest. That, coupled with injuries and the impending lockout (though he does have a team option for 2027), may limit the return he would generate in any deal.
    Holmes, who has also dealt with injuries this season, has been far more productive when he's been healthy. He's pitched to a 2.39 ERA (3.22 FIP) despite just a 12.5% K-BB rate. Despite the solid surface stats and FIP, his peripherals suggest that his upside is limited as a front-end starter. Undoubtedly, a contending team would love to have them as their 2nd or 3rd arm in the rotation. Not to mention, he has experience as a high-leverage reliever on a playoff team if a contender decides to move him back to the bullpen for the short term. Like Robert, he has a team option in 2027.
    Do you think the Mets should trade either player? Join the conversation in the comments!
     
    Steve Drumwright
    The return of Luis Robert Jr. comes just in time for the New York Mets.
    No, not because they need him to make a push for the postseason. That is already out the door. But Robert, a center fielder activated off the 60-day injured list Monday following a lumbar spine disc herniation that has kept him out since the end of April, could bring the Mets something in a trade if he shows he is healthy and can perform in the next two weeks.
    To make room for Robert on the roster, first baseman Eric Wagaman was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. The Mets had an open spot on their 40-man roster. Also, shortstop Zack Short, who cleared waivers after being designated for assignment, was outrighted to Triple-A. He has the option to choose free agency.
    Robert, acquired in January from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for infielder Luisangel Acuna and right-hander Truman Pauley, has a .224/.327/.329 slash line with two homers and eight RBIs over 24 games in his first season with the Mets. He has a club option for $20 million that the Mets are surely to decline at this point.
    Wagaman has shuttled between Syracuse and the Mets, posting a .162/.262/.324 slash line over 21 games in the majors.
    Steve Drumwright
    The New York Mets are losing another infielder. And a potential trade chip.
    Corner infielder Mark Vientos has a fractured bone in his right hand and will be placed on the 10-day injured list before Friday's game. Vientos was hit on his right hand by a pitch from Kansas City Royals right-hander Michael Wacha in the bottom of the second inning of 7-3 Mets loss.
    The exact diagnosis will be made following more imaging on the right hand, but broken bones have a four- to six-week recovery period. Vientos was thought to be a trade piece that the flailing Mets to spin off for a prospect or two. While his slash line of .211/.256/.388 with 11 homers and 35 RBIs isn't very inviting, he does hit left-handed pitching well, producing a .281/.316/.539 mark with six homers and 17 RBIs.
    The Mets are currently without second baseman Marcus Semien (strained left hip flexor) and Vientos' injury prompted rookie outfielder A.J. Ewing's MLB debut at second base and Bret Baty, who started at second, moved over to third, where Vientos made just his second start of the season.
    Infielder Ronny Mauricio is the leading candidate to replace Vientos on the roster.
     
    Steve Drumwright
    Even if he isn't quite 100%, Jorge Polanco is back with the New York Mets.
    The infielder was activated off the 60-day injured list by the Mets on Tuesday, with infielder Ronny Mauricio optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. Also, right-hander Matt Seelinger, acquired Monday in a trade with the Detroit Tigers, was officially added to the 26-man and 40-man rosters. Right-handers Guillo Zuniga and Alex Carillo were designated for assignment to make room for Polanco and Seelinger on the 40-man.
    Polanco has been out since mid-April due to left Achilles bursitis. Polanco is expected to strictly be a designated hitter for the early part of his return. He was a key offseason addition, signing a two-year, $40 million contract with the expectation of playing first base to provide better defense.
    Zuniga was called up Sunday and appeared in Monday's game against Atlanta, going one hitless inning with no walks and a strikeout.
    Carillo, while he had been on the 40-man roster, had not pitched in the majors this season after making his MLB debut last year with three appearances. He has compiled a 5.57 ERA in 21 appearances and 21 innings at Triple-A this year.
     
    Steve Drumwright
    The New York Mets are rolling the dice with a new acquisition.
    The Mets on Monday traded for right-handed reliever Matt Seelinger in a cash deal with the Detroit Tigers. Seelinger had an upward mobility clause in his contract, so a move regarding the 40-man roster and perhaps a 26-man move will need to be made. The Mets' 40-man roster is currently full. The Mets also selected the contract of right-handed reliever Guillo Zuniga from Triple-A and optioned right-hander Joey Gerber back to Syracuse.
    The 31-year-old Seelinger has yet to make his MLB debut. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 28th round of the 2017 draft out of Farmingdale State, an NCAA Division III school in New York state. He has also been with the Tampa Bay San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies and Tigers organizations.
    This year in 27 games and 39⅓ innings at Triple-A, Seelinger has a 3.89 ERA with an 11.4% walk rate and 29.3% strikeout rate. Over his nine seasons in the minors, he has a 3.33 ERA.
    Zuniga, though, does have MLB experience, but not since 2024, when he appeared in 14 games with the Los Angeles Angels. The 27-year-old also got into two games in 2023 with the St. Louis Cardinals. Combined, he has a 5.03 ERA in 19⅔ innings with eight walks and 12 strikeouts. In 14 appearances between Double-A and Triple-A this year, he has a 3.29 ERA in 13⅔ innings with 12 walks and 18 strikeouts.
     
     
     
     
    Matthew Lenz
    The New York Mets are in the midst of another disappointing season, yet may not have many pieces to truly "sell" at the trade deadline. Since they'll look to compete in 2027, they likely won't move any of their young, controllable assets. On the other hand, their expensive, veteran talent has largely underperformed this season, making them unlikely to be moved. However, there is one piece that teams are likely to kick the tires on.
    Will Sammon of The Athletic is expecting teams to "aggressively pursue" reliever Luke Weaver. The righty has been lights out across 37 innings with a 22.7% K-BB rate and a 1.95 ERA (2.41 FIP). Weaver, who is controllable through 2027, hasn't given up an extra base hit OR an earned run since April 30th.
    Being Steve Cohen's stance on the Mets competing next season, it will likely take a significant haul to move on from the 32-year-old elite reliever. At the same time, being controllable in 2027 may not hold much weight with the impending lockout.
    Do you think the Mets should move Weaver? Let us know in the comments!
    Steve Drumwright
    The fans made Juan Soto an All-Star again.
    The New York Mets’ left fielder was voted in as a starter for the NL in the July 14 All-Star Game at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park. This is Soto’s fifth All-Star selection and third in four years after missing in 2025, his first season with the Mets.
    Soto, who missed a chunk of April with a strained right calf, entered Saturday with a slash line of .297/.406/.565 with 18 homers and 41 RBIs. His .406 on-base percentage and .971 OPS is tops in the NL.
    Soto was the only Mets player named to the team with the dismal performance by the team thus far.
    The nine starters for each team were determined by two rounds of fan balloting, with Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement getting automatically selected to start by virtue of leading the first round in the NL and AL, respectively.
    The 23 reserves, which includes 12 pitchers as that position is not up for voting, are selected by player voting and the Commissioner's Office, which ensures that each team has a representative in the game.
    Matthew Nethercott
    The New York Mets have signed infielder Christopher Morel to a minor-league contract, according to Will Salmon of The Athletic.
    The Mets have optioned Morel to Triple-A Syracuse, but he could be an option to play first base, among other positions. The Mets have struggled to get production from the first base position, both offensively (posting a 77 WRC+, 29th in MLB) and defensively (-8 OAA, 28th in MLB). The 27-year-old slugger may not be a perfect solution for the latter problem, but he can help the former if all breaks right.
    Morel has struggled offensively, not posting a positive fWAR since 2023, and his highest OPS since that season is .684, coming last year. Also, new Mets interim manager Andy Green was Morel's bench coach in 2022 and 2023 with the Cubs, when Morel was at his best. With the familiarity between the two, Green might be able to unlock something and get production offensively from the young slugger.
    Morel struggled in 73 at-bats with the Marlins, posting a .425 OPS. Since being traded to the Rays in the Isaac Paredes deal with the Cubs, Morel has posted a .613 OPS in 519 at-bats, which is below league average.
    He does have opt-outs in his deal if he never reaches the big leagues, but the Mets are searching for an answer, and Morel could provide that for a stretch.
    Steve Drumwright
    The shuttle to Syracuse continues to refresh the New York Mets' bullpen.
    Right-hander Tobias Myers was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, with right-hander Joey Gerber called up in advance of the three-game road series against the Toronto Blue Jays.
    Myers pitched three innings Sunday in the Mets' 5-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. Myers, acquired from the Brewers in the Freddy Peralta deal this offseason, allowed three runs on six hits with no walks and three strikeouts. For the season, Myers has a 4.91 FIP (6.21 ERA) in 21 appearances, including three starts, with a 6.7% walk rate and 17.8% strikeout rate. He also has allowed eight homers in 42 innings.
    Gerber is up for the fourth time this season, but has only pitched in five innings over three games, allowing one run on five hits with one walk and six strikeouts.
     
    Steve Drumwright
    As the New York Mets try to keep their head above water during this chaotic period, they got some good news on the pitching front.
    The Mets on Saturday activated right-handed starter Christian Scott from the 15-day injured list and optioned left-hander Zach Thornton to Triple-A Syracuse. Scott will start Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies in hopes of stopping a seven-game losing streak that led to Friday's firing of manager Carlos Mendoza.
    Scott had been out the minimum time due to a right hip impingement. He has been a good story for the Mets to this point, making nine starts and posting a 3.10 FIP (3.84 ERA) with a 10.7% walk rate and 26.4% strikeout rate in 40⅔ innings.
    Thornton had just been called up Friday to make his second MLB start. He went six innings, allowing one run on five hits with one walk and seven strikeouts, a nice bounce back from his MLB debut on May 20 in which he gave up four runs in 4⅓ innings.
     
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