MMO Trade Profile: High-Leverage Relievers

The New York Mets enter the second half in a good spot. At 55-42, they are just a half game out of first place in the National League East. They have the eighth-best record in baseball. With that being said, reinforcements will be needed if the Mets want to accomplish their ultimate goal. One of the areas that could use some help is the bullpen. The imminent return of Brooks Raley will give them a reliable left-hander, but more is certainly needed. I detailed some of the high-leverage arms that could be of interest to the Mets ahead of the trade deadline.

AROLDIS CHAPMAN, LHP

Position: RP B/T: L/L

Age: 37 (02/28/1988)

2025 Traditional Stats: 41 G, 24 GF, 17 SV, 38 IP, 3-2, 1.18 ERA, 0.763 WHIP, 58 SO, 10 BB

2025 Advanced Stats: 351 ERA+, 40.6% SO%, 7.0% BB%, 1.94 xERA, 1.50 FIP, 1.99 xFIP, 2.0 bWAR, 1.8 fWAR

RUNDOWN

Aroldis Chapman is having as good of a season as any high-leverage reliever in baseball. The future Hall of Famer has played a big role in a Red Sox’s bullpen that owns a 3.44 ERA, the third-best mark in the American League. Chapman has always had plus stuff. A dominant four-seam fastball with stuff to play off of it. This season, his sinker in particular has been a major weapon. Opponents are hitting .102 with a .184 slugging percentage against it. He is also throwing his sinker a career-high 32.8% of the time. Dominance.

A few weeks ago, it seemed as if the Red Sox were all but confirmed to be sellers at the deadline. Moving the likes of Alex Bregman and Chapman felt inevitable. But their situation has drastically changed. The Red Sox finished the first half as the hottest team in all of baseball, rattling off 10 straight wins. All of a sudden, they are now three games out of the top spot in the AL East. Unless the team begins the second half with an improbable losing streak, Chapman is not going anywhere.

FÉLIX BAUTISTA, RHP

Position: RP B/T: R/R

Age: 30 (06/20/1995)

2025 Traditional Stats: 34 G, 27 GF, 18 SV, 33 2/3 IP, 1-1, 2.41 ERA, 1.040 WHIP, 48 SO, 20 BB

2025 Advanced Stats: 163 ERA+, 35.6% SO%, 14.8% BB%, 2.66 xERA, 3.17 FIP, 3.07 xFIP, 1.1 bWAR, 0.6 fWAR

RUNDOWN

Félix Bautista missed all of last season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. The hard-throwing right-hander has returned and pitched well this season. His 18 saves are the seventh-best mark in the American League. If the Orioles had played better baseball out of the gate, I’m sure that number would be higher. One concern for Bautista is his walk rate. He is walking 5.3 hitters per nine. His previous high was 3.8 per nine in 2023.

Since the start of June, the Orioles are 22-16. This mini resurgence has made it a conversation as to whether or not they do a full sell or a soft sell at the deadline. The latter seems the likelier of the two. If that’s the case, like Chapman, Bautista is unlikely to be dealt. He has two more years of control, and the Orioles will look to compete again in 2026, but if an enticing offer presents itself, who knows?

DAVID BEDNAR, RHP

Position: RP B/T: L/R

Age: 30 (10/10/1994)

2025 Traditional Stats: 36 G, 29 GF, 13 SV, 32 IP, 2-5, 2.53 ERA, 1.125 WHIP, 45 SO, 9 BB

2025 Advanced Stats: 170 ERA+, 34.6% SO%, 6.9% BB%, 2.92 xERA, 2.02 FIP, 2.55 xFIP, 1.0 bWAR, 1.1 fWAR

RUNDOWN

David Bednar has had an interesting season. After just three appearances, the Pirates optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis on April 1. While he did take the loss in two of those three appearances in their first series of the season, it was still shocking to see him optioned so early on. Bednar was recalled on April 19 and has been with the big league team since.

Since returning and reclaiming his spot as the team’s closer, he has been magnificent. Over his last 33 appearances, Bednar owns a 1.74 ERA across 31 innings. He has made 18 consecutive appearances without giving up an earned run, dating back to May 24. He has shown over the last few months that he is a dominant and reliable arm late in games. Bednar having an additional year of control will only increase the price in return. With the Pirates 19 games below. 500, expect the right-hander to be moved this month.

DENNIS SANTANA

Position: RP B/T: R/R

Age: 29 (04/12/1996)

2025 Traditional Stats: 40 G, 14 GF, 5 SV, 40 1/3 IP, 3-2, 1.56 ERA, 0.818 WHIP, 29 SO, 7 BB

2025 Advanced Stats: 274 ERA+, 19.1% SO%, 4.6% BB%, 3.19 xERA, 2.49 FIP, 3.82 xFIP, 1.8 bWAR, 1.0fWAR

RUNDOWN

Dennis Santana is a name some Mets fans will be familiar with. He briefly pitched for the team in 2023, throwing 10 2/3 innings across nine appearances. He struggled in those opportunities, pitching to a 5.91 ERA. His pitch mix has changed since then, and as a result, his numbers have drastically improved. In 2023, he used all five of his pitches at least 10% of the time. His most-used pitch, the sinker, was getting crushed. That season, opponents hit .444 with an 1.000 slugging percentage against the sinker.

Fast forward to this season, and Santana is now using his sinker 7.1% of the time, his fourth most-used pitch. He heavily operates with a slider and a four-seam fastball, with the former being his best weapon. Opponents are hitting .139 with a .153 slugging percentage against his slider. Santana is having the best season of his career, even showing capabilities of closing from time to time when Bednar was struggling. With an additional year of control and an improved pitch mix, maybe the Mets would have interest in a reunion.

Packages

All four of these pitchers will likely have a similar price tag – Chapman’s may differ a little since he’s a rental. The Mets will likely be willing to deal from their second-tier prospects, as well as the struggling and out-of-options Mark Vientos. In any of these deals, they could part with arms such as Will Watson, Zach Thornton, Brendan Girton, or Frank Elissalt. Younger hitting prospects such as Edward Lantigua and Colin Houck may also be available.

Recommendation

Of the four, Bednar seems like the most realistic and impactful acquisition the Mets can make. He has been one of the best relievers in the majors since getting recalled from Triple-A, and his closing experience would help alleviate some pressure from Edwin Díaz and Reed Garrett.

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