Well, it’s been a long and wild ride to get here. The New York Mets have entered the trade deadline, and they are sellers. Not buyers, sellers. If you were to tell anybody in the Mets organization that would be the case, they probably wouldn’t believe you. Who can blame them? They entered the season with World Series aspirations, only to see those expectations go up in smoke. New York has already made some moves as we approach the deadline.
The first was trading Eduardo Escobar to the Los Angeles Angels. Followed by dealing closer David Robertson to the Miami Marlins. However, the big shocker came when Max Scherzer was dealt to the Texas Rangers. The latest of this Mets sell festival happened the night before the deadline when Mark Canha was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Canha, Escobar, and Scherzer were signed during last year’s offseason. That offseason put the Mets on the map, leading to 101 wins. Fast forward just a year later, and three of them are gone, with Starling Marte being the only big signing from that offseason left. Now, as other players’ futures with the team are up in the air heading into today, let’s predict whether some will go or stay put in Queens.
Mets Trade Deadline Predictions
Tommy Pham
Prediction: Traded
Tommy Pham is one of the pleasant surprises for the Mets this season after signing him to a one-year contract once the Carlos Correa deal fell apart. He is slashing .268/.348/.472 with 10 home runs and 36 RBI this season, including a red-hot June where he batted .349 with 6 home runs and drove in 18 RBI on 30 hits and 7 doubles. Lately, Pham has been dealing with a groin injury. He’s precisely the kind of hitter a team will look for; just ask him. With teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies interested in him, Pham will head to a new home and do what he likes best, hitting the ball hard.
Brooks Raley
Predictions: Stays
Along with the now-traded David Robertson, Brooks Raley is a solid arm out of the bullpen for the Mets this year. He’s also been one of the better acquisitions by general manager Billy Eppler from this past offseason. Also, like Robertson, being a good bullpen arm is excellent trade bait for a selling team and for a buyer to acquire.
Sources: Mets left-hander Brooks Raley is generating lots of interest.
Twins and Dodgers are among the teams to watch.
Raley has a 2.37 ERA this year. He has a $6.5M club option ($1.25M buyout) for 2024.— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) July 31, 2023
Currently, Raley is the closer for the Mets after the trade of Robertson. He has a club option after this season with another year of control. New York needs all the help they can get out of the bullpen, especially if they plan on contending next season. With the bullpen in shambles right now, the Mets must keep as many good arms as possible.
Pete Alonso
Prediction: Stays
This seems entirely out of the blue, and the chances of this happening are very close to zero. However, Pete Alonso is a free agent at the end of the 2024 season, and he’s been asked about his future recently.
Has Pete Alonso wondered about his own status as the trade deadline approaches?
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 30, 2023
“I feel comfortable here. It’s a great place to play, it’s a great city. I would be kind of shocked, just as shocked as I was when I heard that Max got traded.” pic.twitter.com/f5m3vsYWRk
A lot of teams would love to have a young power bat at first base, such as Alonso. If the Mets are rebuilding, teams will call up and inquire about him. Again, the chances are almost zero that he will be traded today. With the Mets in this position and Alonso’s upcoming free agency, they need to do what they can to lock up their All-Star first baseman this offseason and keep him for a long time.
Justin Verlander
Prediction: Stays, Unless There Is An Offer The Mets Can’t Refuse
We come to the big one. Justin Verlander was the prized free agent signed by New York in the offseason. With the Mets selling and Scherzer now gone, Verlander is their best trade asset to get top-level prospects. Especially with Verlander pitching very well lately. Reports about Verlander’s status with the Mets are everywhere. From the Mets having discussions with the Dodgers and the team he helped lead to a World Series last year, the Houston Astros. To Verlander’s no-trade clause, and finally, the Mets’ desire to hold onto him.
The reality is this: If the Mets are serious about contending in 2024, they will keep Verlander no matter what. If an offer comes that they can’t decline, then Verlander will be traded. My final pick on Verlander heading into today is he will remain a Met.
Main Photo Credits: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Players Mentioned: Eduardo Escobar, David Robertson, Max Scherzer, Mark Canha, Starling Marte, Tommy Pham, Carlos Correa, Brooks Raley, Pete Alonso, Justin Verlander
