MMO Roundtable: Our Trade Deadline Grades

The New York Mets addressed their bullpen in a big way at the trade deadline by acquiring Gregory Soto, Tyler Rogers and Ryan Helsley while also filling their need in center field by landing Cedric Mullins.

After taking some time to think, here our grades for the Mets’ 2025 deadline haul.

Christian De Block: B+

The Mets addressed two important needs, quality bullpen depth and center field. While the return for Tyler Rogers appeared steep on paper, it was not as bad as it initially seemed. Ryan Helsley is a strong addition, as is Gregory Soto. We are now looking at one of the best bullpens in the game. Cedric Mullins is an upgrade in center field. It would have been cool to add a red-hot Luis Robert Jr., but that was not in the cards. I would have given them an A, had they brought in another starter. If one of Nolan McLean or Brandon Sproat comes up and flourishes, this deadline will get an A grade when we look back.

David Melendi: B

I wanted the Mets to swing for the fences, deal for Eugenio Suárez or another big bat. I would have been OK with sending out any prospect not named Jonah or Carson. I like the bullpen moves. I love that Tyler Rogers has walked four batters in 50 innings.

Brandyn Pokrass: B+

The Mets, while not giving up any top prospects, made their team significantly better through the deadline. I am a huge fan of the Helsley and Rogers moves, while I think Mullins will be a fun addition to the lineup. Soto will be a solid addition out of the bullpen, too. I would have loved to see a controllable starter added or maybe even another bat; however, the prices evidently did not make sense for the team. Very, very happy with how the Mets came out of this.

Nick Kalantzopoulos: C+

The Mets got Ryan Helsley, a guy I’ve thought was on the short list of best relievers for years now, so I really liked that trade, even though he’s just a rental.

I thought the Cedric Mullins trade was fine. I agreed with Stearns’s earlier assessment that the bar rose in terms of trading for a CF with Jeff McNeil’s good play there, but this trade seems more like a lateral move, so that’s a tad contradictory. I didn’t like the Rogers trade. A rental reliever who isn’t in the running to get the last 3 outs of the game (albeit a fantastic one) isn’t enough for what they gave up. Blade Tidwell has a good amount of potential in my eyes, but more importantly I think the Mets have misused José Buttó all year. Buttó put together nothing but quality starts in 2023 and 2024. He was moved to the bullpen last year and showed he couldn’t consistently pitch with little to no rest. I thought he deserved to be in the initial rotation this year, but instead has been limited to “B-team” reliever. I think he has a bunch of potential with a bunch of years of control remaining.

Chris Bello: A

The Mets addressed every positional need this deadline.

They got two late inning relievers in Tyler Rogers and Ryan Helsley, the later being a hard throwing righty that was one of the top closers in the majors the last couple years. And they also upgraded center field with Cedric Mullins. The lefty has reverse splits, which helps a lineup that struggles with southpaws, plus plays gold glove defense and fits the speedy mold of the roster.

The one add the Mets didn’t make was at staring pitching, but that market wasn’t robust.

Kai Chang: A-

After the 2024 deadline, when David Stearns mostly added depth in case the Mets pulled off a miracle run (which they did), he took a different approach this time, sacrificing some of the farm system to go bigger. An ideal trade deadline is about getting value, and I think Stearns did exactly that. This deadline to me is a happy reminder that the Mets are no longer headed by Brodie Van Wagenen (no disrespect intended).

It was clear this deadline that Stearns wasn’t interested in any available guys with team control. Every player he brought in is on an expiring deal, which tells me he doesn’t like committing to players he’s not fully sold on. Still, he reinforced the Mets enough to make them look like a potential best team in baseball, and the biggest piece he gave up was Jesus Baez. That’s a win in my book.

What I am now hoping is that the best Mets Deadline acquisition becomes Nolan McLean or Brandon Sproat. This current Mets rotation is not stable enough for the stretch run and I want to see Stearns have the guts to call one or both of the two up to the bigs, in any way that they can help. When all is said and done, I trust David Stearns to push all the right buttons.

Mathias Altman-Kurosaki: B+

Overall, the Mets addressed their biggest needs – high-leverage relievers, and a center fielder with an above-average bat. Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers, and Gregory Soto all have closing experience, which will certainly help alleviate some pressure from Edwin Díaz and Reed Garrett. Cedric Mullins isn’t a superstar, but he’s a solid center fielder and his bat has heated up as of late.

My only wish is that they had gotten a starting pitcher. As we move into the latter stages of the season, I think it would be wise to promote one of Nolan McLean or Brandon Sproat, while sliding Clay Holmes to the bullpen. Considering the team didn’t have to mortgage the farm for these moves though, there isn’t much to complain about.

Rafael González: A

What can I say? I’m a sucker for a vision. That’s what this Stearns-led Mets FO has; and they’ve been sticking to it. Last year, I agreed with the measured approach in adding around the edges. This year, I agreed with adding high-leverage relievers to the pen and upgrading center field. I enjoyed reading the barometer for a starter being if they could start a playoff game. My only pause with the prospects sent out was the toolsy Baez and it was fleeting.

I’m very content not adding a starting pitcher for one main reason. This is baseball, man. You can have a rotation with 5 aces and lose in the wildcard round. There’s no guarantees. Last year’s rotation was far from 5 aces and they were two games away from the big dance. This FO is expertly straddling the present and the future while simultaneously building a robust and deep farm. This type of competence makes a lifer emotional.

Matthew Tutrone: Between B+ & A-

Can I give them a grade between A- and B+?

They addressed the bullpen, easily the team’s most glaring need, in strong fashion. Their pen should now be among the best in baseball, which is key to success in October, and, with the starting staff regularly struggling to reach the sixth inning, will be the key to getting there. Adding Mullins as an everyday centerfielder is an obvious, although possibly not-too-drastic, upgrade from Tyrone “Juan Lagares” Taylor, who will no doubt be relegated to an occasional late inning defensive replacement role. The only item on the shopping list they failed to check was a quality starting pitcher. The likely reason was the asking prices were too high for Stearns’ comfort, and I trust his judgement fully. The front office showed they’re not afraid to let go of well-regarded prospects, as they did with Tidwell, Gilbert, and Baez, but they also didn’t empty the farm like the Padres did. All in all, it’s among the best crop of deadline deals we’ve seen in Flushing in several years.

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