As the 2025 MLB trade deadline approaches, the New York Mets face a critical situation
Injuries to their pitching staff have left the team in a fragile position, and the decisions management makes in the coming weeks could define their fate this season.
New York Mets rotation hanging by a thread
The Mets are currently dealing with a rotation plagued by absences. Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea and Tylor Megill are on the injured list, with tentative returns ranging from early to late July. Even promising relievers such as Dedniel Nunez and Paul Blackburn remain an unknown quantity. In total, more than a dozen pitchers are out of action, forcing the team to constantly improvise.
This situation has put a lot of pressure on president of operations David Stearns, who must find solutions without compromising the team’s future.
The Mets’ bullpen dilemma
Experts such as Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman have been clear: the bullpen is the team’s weakest point. With starters barely completing five innings, depth in relief becomes essential. However, reinforcing this area is not as simple as it seems.
Heyman revealed that the Mets had the opportunity to acquire Garrett Crochet, but the price was high: they had to give up prospects Jett Williams and Christian Scott. The front office decided not to do so, reflecting a conservative stance that could cost them dearly.
A complicated market for the New York Mets
The 2025 trade market presents an additional challenge: there are more buyers than sellers, in an estimated ratio of 20 to 10. This means that teams looking to strengthen will have to pay high prices. For the Mets, who are looking to remain competitive without sacrificing their top prospects, this dynamic represents a major obstacle.
Will the Mets be reunited with an old acquaintance?
Faced with a lack of viable options and a desire to avoid major sacrifices, the Mets could consider a more familiar solution: a possible return of Luis Severino. Although his departure from the team was motivated by economic reasons, his experience and knowledge of the environment could make him an attractive and low-risk option.
The pressure of results at the New York Mets
The urgency to improve is not just internal. The fans and the media are demanding results, and the possibility of missing out on the playoffs is real if bold decisions are not made. Although Stearns is known for his calculating approach, the current moment may require an exception to his usual style.
Sherman summed it up this way:
There is a lot of pressure on the Mets to fix what is wrong and make sure they make the postseason this year
But if the team continues to prioritize prospect retention over immediate needs, it could end up watching the postseason from home.
Should the Mets take risks or play it safe?
The Mets are at a crossroads. With a decimated pitching staff and an unfavorable market, they must decide whether it is worth risking part of their future to save the current season. The trade deadline is fast approaching, and each passing day without a solution aggravates the situation.
While prudence has been a constant in Stearns‘ management, the current context may require a more aggressive strategy. Otherwise, the Mets could be left with their best prospects and without October baseball.
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