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July 25: Mets among the teams that have checked in on Sandy Alcantara (report)
Could the Mets land a former Cy Young Award winner at the Deadline?
According to the New York Post’s Mike Puma, the Mets are among the teams that have checked in on Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara. Understandably, Puma reports that the asking price is steep, despite Alcantara experiencing a down season.
After missing all of the 2024 season due to Oct. 2023 Tommy John surgery, Alcantara has struggled in his first year back, posting a 6.66 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 104 innings. The 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner has struggled across the board, experiencing an increase in walks and hard contact while striking out fewer batters. Any team acquiring him — such as the Mets — may view Alcantara as more of a wild card this season with the hopes he can fix himself down the stretch and into next year. Alcantara is under control through next season ($17.3 million in ’26) with a $21 million club option for 2027.
The Mets rotation has been a strength much of this season, with a 3.40 ERA that ranks fourth among MLB rotations. Injuries to Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning have been offset by the returns of Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas, which has given the Mets a healthy and strong group of five starters. Acquiring Alcantara could help with workloads for Clay Holmes and David Peterson, with Holmes already surpassing his career high in innings and Peterson about to exceed his career high.
The Mets might not be done adding to their relief corps. They have inquired about a slugging center fielder, and they are also getting calls from other clubs about one of their own Major League bats.
According to The Athletic’s Will Sammon (subscription required), the Mets “still eye multiple additions to their bullpen.” Sammon previously reported that New York was willing to deal from their infield depth for bullpen help. But perhaps their next reliever will come at the cost of veteran outfielder/DH Starling Marte. Teams are asking about the 36-year-old, per Mike Puma of the New York Post.
Marte, who returned earlier this week from a two-week absence on the injured list due to a right knee bruise, is batting .275 with a .751 OPS this season in 167 at-bats this season. He is a pending free agent.
July 23: Mets have held talks regarding Padres ace Cease (report)
Will the Mets end up going all the way across the country to fill their desire to add a starting pitcher?
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Mets are one of the teams that have talked about the Padres’ Dylan Cease, who has emerged as an option for teams looking for starting pitching help in the trade market.
The 29-year-old has a 4.64 ERA over 108 2/3 innings this season, but his expected ERA is a much more reasonable 3.46. Cease’s whiff rate is an impressive 34.3% (his best since 2021), and his strikeout-minus-walk rate (21.6%) ranks eighth among qualified pitchers in MLB. He is slated to reach free agency after this season.
July 21: Mets willing to deal from infield depth to acquire relievers (report)
The Mets’ biggest priority at the Trade Deadline is supplementing their bullpen with multiple relievers, according to Will Sammon of The Athletic (subscription required), who reports that they are willing to trade from their infield stockpile to address that need.
With Pete Alonso at first, Francisco Lindor at short and Jeff McNeil at second (when he isn’t playing the outfield), there are limited opportunities for young infielders Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuña in the big leagues. So it makes sense that the Mets would be open to moving one or more of those players if it helps their roster elsewhere.
However, it’s not a given that any of them will be traded. If the Mets don’t find a deal to their liking, Sammon hears they are open to using top starting pitcher prospects Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat and Blade Tidwell to fill shorter roles in the Majors.
July 17: Mets may be the frontrunner to acquire Pirates RHP Keller (report)
The Mets’ starting rotation bulked up over the past few weeks with the returns of Frankie Montas, Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea from various injuries. But that group could still use another upgrade, and it might come in the form of Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller.
According to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (subscription required), the Mets are “still very interested” in Keller and “are perhaps the frontrunner for his services.” Hiles adds that Keller is also receiving interest from the Yankees and Cubs.
Keller, 29, threw 372 1/3 innings over the past two seasons and has recorded a 3.48 ERA over 119 frames this year. That ERA would be Keller’s best in a non-shortened season. He’s also closing in on his career high in fWAR (3.3) as he entered the All-Star break with 2.6. That’s tied with the Twins’ Joe Ryan for 18th-best among qualified starters.
Keller is in the second year of a five-year, $77 million contract. He is due about $55 million from 2026-28.
