The Major League Baseball trade market has begun to heat up. If on Thursday night Seattle and Arizona agreed to the swap of Josh Naylor to the Mariners, on Friday the New York Mets set in motion their plan to strengthen and continue their close fight against Philadelphia for the pennant in the National League East
The New York management, led by owner Steve Cohen and David Stearns (president of operations), moved the chips and secured the trade for reliever Gregory Soto, who will arrive in the Big Apple from Baltimore to strengthen the bullpen of the team managed by Carlos Mendoza
The left-hander, who joined the Orioles a year ago via trade from the Phillies, has a 3.96 ERA in 36.1 innings as a reliever this season, with 44 strikeouts, 18 walks, two home runs allowed and a WHIP of 1.294. Soto has not recorded a win in 2025, has one save and a pair of losses
According to the report by Andy Martino (SNY), the Mets will send two right-handed pitchers in exchange: Wellington Aracena (the 19th-ranked prospect in the New Yorkers’ farm system) and Cameron Foster
The Queens franchise will have to pay just over $3.9 million to Soto for just two months’ rent (or three if they make the postseason), as he will be a free agent at the end of the campaign
According to official figures, Soto’s salary in 2025 is $5.35 million, of which he has $1.87 million remaining. However, the Mets will pay more for his rental because they are over the luxury tax and must pay a 110% penalty on the amount still owed to the player
The Mets have been operating with minimal left-handed relievers for the past month. Their players in this role have been Brooks Raley, Brandon Waddell, Richard Lovelady and Jose Catillo. Of all of them, only Castillo has performed according to the team’s needs, which currently has a lot at stake
New York’s pitchers have the best ERA (3.57) in the National League, slightly ahead of Milwaukee (3.58), San Francisco (3.60) and San Diego (3.63). Their relievers, meanwhile, rank fifth in ERA (3.84) in the Senior Circuit, just behind the Padres, Giants, Cardinals and Cubs
Mendoza and the management expect Gregory Soto to have an immediate impact in the bullpen, which right now clearly relies on the right arms of Edwin Diaz, Huascar Brazoban, Jose Butto, Reed Garrett, Chris Devenski and Ryne Stanek.
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