Ranking The Mets’ Trade Deadline Needs

The Trade Deadline is exactly two weeks away.

With a slew of needs, the New York Mets are expected to be major buyers. As things stand right now, the Mets figure to be one of the busiest teams at the deadline.

Therefore, now felt the perfect time to rank all of this team’s needs in order of importance. Granted, all of the holes the Mets have to fill by the Trade Deadline are important, but some are more urgent than others.

To that end, let’s dive right in…

Ranking The Mets’ Trade Deadline Needs

1. A FRONTLINE STARTER

The Mets currently have the fourth-best team ERA in baseball (3.56). The starting rotation is also getting a lot healthier with Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea, and Frankie Montas all back. However, there are still a lot of question marks over this current group. Health will always be the big variable, obviously. It remains to be seen how reliable Montas can be, and Clay Holmes has already reached a career-high in innings pitched, meaning he will need to be managed incredibly carefully down the stretch.

Therefore, if the Mets want to go on a deep postseason run, I think they will need to add a top-of-the-market frontline starter. Minnesota’s Joe Ryan, who has pitched to a 2.72 ERA this year, would be a home run option if available. Pirates RHP Mitch Keller is a workhorse who can go deep in games. He has logged 119 innings this season. Pending free agent Seth Lugo, who is 6-5 with a 2.67 ERA for the Royals, is another enticing option. All in all, the Mets need to add another top arm to the rotation in order to become a true contender.

2. CENTER FIELD PRODUCTION

There has been little production from the bottom of the lineup in 2025. The abyss out in center field has hardly helped that matter. Tyrone Taylor is a very fine defensive outfielder, but he’s been a net negative offensively. He has a 65 wRC+ on the year, while hitting just .213/.267/.313 with two home runs and a .580 OPS. Furthermore, a .374 OPS so far in July shows that Taylor’s bat isn’t trending in the right direction. Therefore, the Mets need to make a big move in order to correct what has been a deep, fatal flaw to this point.

Now, with that said, the potential options aren’t perfect. Twins outfielder Byron Buxton is a pipe dream, given that it seems he isn’t going anywhere. White Sox CF Luis Robert Jr. has long been linked to New York, but he’s hitting just .190/.275/.325 in 2025. Orioles veteran Cedric Mullins could be intriguing given his speed, but he’s also having a down year. Now, Jarren Duran would be the home run option, but I doubt the Red Sox would want to sell, given they’ve just ripped off 10 straight wins. Back to Mullins, the one-time All-Star does have 13 homers and 41 RBIs this year. He would be a clear upgrade on Taylor offensively. New York can’t continue to get zero production from center field if the goal is to go deep in October.

3. HIGH LEVERAGE RELIEVER

The Mets have been in need of a lefty reliever ever since A.J. Minter was lost for the year. That will no doubt continue to be a priority at the Trade Deadline. However, it has to be said that this team just needs a high-leverage setup man, period. Lefty or righty, the front office needs to find someone who can help to support Edwin Díaz. Díaz has been outstanding, but he will need help. Brooks Raley‘s return will be a boost, but the Mets arguably need another high-end lefty reliever anyway. In all, the front office should probably be looking to add two swing-or-miss arms that can come up clutch in later innings. The good news, and why we have this need at No. 3, is the fact that relievers tend to be available in large bunches at the deadline. That’s a positive for the Mets.

4. ANOTHER BAT

The Mets are currently getting a .650 OPS from the catcher, center field, second base, and third base positions in 2025. There is no way the front office will be able to improve all four positions externally. Nor will they need to. Francisco Alvarez has looked good in Triple-A, and I’m still convinced that Mark Vientos will explode at some point down the stretch. That leaves center field, which we covered above. But, you can also make a compelling argument that the Mets need another bat to help solidify the bottom of that lineup, which has been ice cold.

Furthermore, Jesse Winker has been unable to stay healthy, so who knows what you will get out of him the rest of the way. In order to get past the Dodgers in the National League, this lineup will need everyone to contribute. It won’t be able to afford passengers. Therefore, another bat – and it doesn’t need to be a huge name if center field gets addressed – would be hugely beneficial. It would help to deepen and lengthen this lineup. How about a player in the ilk of Adolis Garcia? His power would be a perfect fit for the bottom of the lineup, and he could get some reps at DH too.

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