Cowtipper

Sproat, Tong, McLean ... and maybe Santucci next year? This ace-in-the-making went 9-4 with a 3.06 ERA in 25 games (23 starts) between the Brooklyn Cyclones and Binghamton Mets. Add in maybe a R.J. Gordon, Jack Wenninger or a healthy Christian Scott and we might forget all about the previous Fab Five.

After not playing professionally since 2019, Matt Allan valiantly returned to go 0-3 with a 3.60 ERA in 20 innings between the St. Lucie Mets and Brooklyn Cyclones. Then he got hurt again and returned to where he is most comfortable, the 60-day IL.

Chris Devenski has free agented himself. Mets have named Lauren Hurvitz senior vice president and head of communications.

Clark dominated in indy ball this year, hitting .377/.471/.628 with 12 home runs and 70 RBI in 58 games for the Rocky Mountain Vibes.

In 2025, Hejka struggled to a 1-1, 6.28 line in 28 relief appearances in the Phillies system, spent mostly at High-A. At 28, you can't be struggling that much at High-A. The Phillies felt the same way and released him on July 28.

In his first full season away from the Mets system, he went 2-2 with a 4.29 ERA in 10 games (9 starts) in the Nats chain.

Consuegra only played for the Hanshin Tigers minor league team in 2025, hitting .148 in 54 at-bats.

This could be the end for Luis Santana. After hitting .195 in the Tigers chain in 2024, he didn't play in 2025.

Szapucki hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2022. He had a 1.35 ERA in the Tigers chain in 2025, but was released August 4.

Goose Mountain didn't pitch at all in 2025, but is technically still in the Mets system.

Ziegler didn't pitch at all in 2025, having spent the whole year on the IL. He's still just 22 years old.

Matt Rudick 2025 totals: 3 G, 2 H, .167/.333/.333 for Brooklyn.

Jake Mangum 2025 totals: 118 G, 405 AB, 3 HR, 40 RBI, 27 SB, .296/.330/.368 for the Rays .429/.520/.476 in 6 minor league games

Nick Enright was taken by the Mets in the 19th round of the 2015 draft, but didn't sign. In 2025, he was 2-1 with a 2.03 ERA in 27 relief appearances for the Guardians. At Triple-A, he had a 1.38 ERA in 13 games. Shane McClanahan was taken by the Mets in the 26th round of the 2015 draft, but didn't sign. In 3 minor league starts in the Rays system, he was 0-0 with a 10.80 ERA. He is currently on the 60-day IL. CJ Van Eyk was the Mets 19th round pick in the 2017 draft, but he opted not to sign. In 2025, he was in the Blue Jays system, going 6-10 with a 4.79 ERA in 27 games (24 starts).

Niuman Romero, who hadn't played in the majors since 2010, has announced his retirement. He'd been bouncing around winter ball this past decade. Hector Sanchez has also retired. Adeiny Hechavarria retired.

Torey Lovullo will be returning to the D-Backs.

Francisco Alvarez To Undergo Thumb Surgery In Coming Days

Minor update: After being cut loose by the Mets organization, Yuhi Sako briefly joined the independent High Point Rockers.

METS MIRACLE! Reed Garrett rises from the IL ashes! BATY’S BACK! Brett returns to crush doubters! AUSTIN POWER! Warren recalled for bullpen takeover! PINTARO PANIC! Jonathan summoned to save Queens! SAMURAI STRIKES! Senga storms back for Mets salvation! HAGENMAN HYPE! Justin unleashed as secret weapon! WADDELL WAVE! Brandon crashes into Queens! HERGET HURLED! Kevin banished to Syracuse exile! HERGET HITS THE ROAD! Mets reliever bolts for free agency! CARRILLO CALLED! Alex promoted to torch batters! SENGER SENSATION! Hayden recalled, fans buzzing!

Don Kelly signed an extension with the Pirates.

I don't want to see Reed Garrett and Ryne Stanek ever again. Or Helsley, Blackburn, Montas, Lovelady, Justin Garza, Zach Pop or Colin Poche. All the other no-name dingleberries they tried are worth at the very least a 2026 minor league look, but the guys I mentioned I've had enough of. Especially Garrett. He's been around two-plus years and always starts off hot, creates the illusion he's good, then collapses. For example: July 1-end of season, 2025: 6.17 Before that: 2.25 ERA July 1-end of season, 2024: 4.91 ERA Before that: 3.23 ERA (but even the 'before that' was marked by a 7.62 ERA from May 24 to June 29)

Matt Bowman played in the Mets system 2012 to 2015, having been taken by them in the 13th round of the 2012 draft. He played for the Orioles this year, going 0-1 with a 6.20 ERA in 20 relief appearances. At Triple-A, he was 3-4 with a 3.93 ERA in 31 games split between the Orioles and Astros systems. Riley Gilliam was taken by the Mets in the 5th round of the 2018 draft and played in their system from 2018 to 2021. In 2025, he played for the independent Lancaster Stormers (2-2, 2.66 ERA, 21 G, 33 K in 20 1/3 IP) and Acereros de Monclova (0-2, 5.27 ERA, 18 G, 14 K in 13 2/3 IP). Saúl González was taken by the Mets in the 23rd round of the 2018 draft and played in their system from 2018 to 2022. In 2025, he had a 0.00 ERA in 2 games for the Lincoln Saltdogs. Brendan Hardy was taken by the Mets in the 31st round of the 2018 draft and played in their system from 2018 to 2023. In 2025, he was in the Rockies system, going 2-0 with a 5.02 ERA in 13 relief appearances between two minor league stops. In 14 1/3 innings, he had 22 Ks. George Kirby was taken by the Mets in the 32nd round of the 2016 draft, but didn't sign. In 2025, he was 10-8 with a 4.21 ERA in 23 starts for the Mariners, striking out 137 in 126 innings. He was 0-0 with a 7.20 ERA in 3 starts at Triple-A. Ian Mejia was taken by the Mets in the 35th round of the 2018 draft, but didn't sign. He played in the Braves system in 2025, going 12-3 with a 2.67 ERA in 25 games (18 starts). Jaylen Palmer was taken by the Mets in the 22nd round of the 2018 draft and played in their system from 2018 to 2024. He was in the Cubs system in 2025, hitting .237 with 8 home runs, 35 RBI and 25 steals in 118 games between Double-A and Triple-A. Franklin Parra was taken by the Mets in the 11th round of the 2018 draft and played in their system from 2018 to 2021. In 2025, he played for three indy teams, the Acereros de Monclova (5 G, 0-0 W-L, 3.00 ERA), the Capitales de Quebec (23 G, 0-1 W-L, 4.21 ERA) and Lake Erie Crushers (5 G, 0-0 W-L, 5.06 ERA).

Outside of Clayton Kershaw reaching 3,000 Ks in 2025, players hitting the big milestones (3,000 H, 500 HR, 3,000 Ks) will be few and far between these next few seasons. However, the current batch of stars are advancing as a clump, so within the decade we should see a spate of guys getting to a variety of meaningful numbers. 500 home runs is one of them. Theoretically, Giancarlo Stanton could reach 500 in 2026, as he is just 47 away, but recent history suggests that is unlikely. Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor are both young enough and close enough (more than halfway there) that it is worth keeping an eye on their progress. Juan Soto isn't yet halfway there, but his trajectory of greatness makes him look like a great candidate for 500 and beyond. There is a projection tool called Bill James' Favorite Toy, which as its name suggests can be used to project a player's performance down the line. Let's see how modern players, including Alonso, Lindor and Soto, look on the quest to 500. The projections and odds were calculated entirely using the Favorite Toy. Aaron Judge: 602 projected home runs, 97% chance of reaching 500 Kyle Schwarber: 582 projected, 97% chance Juan Soto: 572 projected, 78% chance Shohei Ohtani: 570 projected, 82% chance Giancarlo Stanton: 540 projected, 97% chance Manny Machado: 509 projected, 58% chance Bryce Harper: 498 projected, 49% chance Pete Alonso: 492 projected, 47% chance Mike Trout: 482 projected, 31% chance Eugenio Suarez: 477 projected, 37% chance Matt Olson: 470 projected, 36% chance Francisco Lindor: 453 projected, 29% chance Freddie Freeman: 439 projected, 5% chance Jose Ramirez: 429 projected, 17% chance Marcell Ozuna: 416 projected, 9% chance Nolan Arenado: 415 projected, 0% chance Mookie Betts: 405 projected, 5% chance Paul Goldschmidt: 405 projected, 0% chance Salvador Perez: 371 projected, 0% chance George Springer: 370 projected, 0% chance Andrew McCutchen: 362 projected, 0% chance Carlos Santana: 360 projected, 0% chance Nick Castellanos: 344 projected, 0% chance Marcus Semien: 323 projected, 0% chance Jose Abreu: 270 projected, 0% chance So there's a chance at 500 for all three! Juan Soto: 572 projected, 78% chance Pete Alonso: 492 projected, 47% chance Francisco Lindor: 453 projected, 29% chance

For the time being, Dylan Ross is the Mets newest phantom.

Garrett Cooper has retired.