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Sean Manaea: big, lanky, and a certified stuff machine
Mets sign UDFA OF AJ Salgado, out of UCLA
A deep dive…
Aaron Jacob "AJ" Salgado is a redshirt senior outfielder for the UCLA Bruins baseball team, born on September 16, 2001, in San Dimas, California. Standing at 6'3" and weighing 220 lbs, he bats left-handed and throws right-handed.
Salgado has played multiple positions, including right field, center field, and third base, showcasing his versatility.
Career Highlights:
2025 Season: Earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors after appearing in 64 games (62 starts). On March 15, 2025, he hit two three-run homers in a single game against Nebraska, driving in six runs to secure an 11-3 UCLA victory, marking his first multi-homer game. Through 18 games that season, he matched his previous year's totals of three home runs and 20 RBIs.
2024 Season: Played in 48 games (43 starts) for UCLA, slashing .300/.362/.422 with 32 runs, 54 hits, five doubles, four triples, three home runs, and 20 RBIs over 180 at-bats. He led the team with 18 leadoff starts, had 14 multi-hit games, and hit safely in six straight games from April 2-14. Salgado excelled on the road (.321 average) and in midweek games (.357). Notable performances include a four-hit game against Pepperdine on April 30 and a 3-4 game with a homer and three RBIs at Washington on April 13.
2023 Season: In his debut UCLA season, he played 26 games (21 starts) at first base and outfield, limited by injuries.
2022 Season (Cal State LA): As a freshman, Salgado started all 49 games for the Golden Eagles, leading the team with a .362/.462/.519 slash line, 67 hits, 32 walks, 36 RBIs, and a perfect 15-for-15 in stolen bases. He had 19 extra-base hits and 21 multi-hit games, earning CCAA Player of the Week honors (Feb. 14-20, 2022) after going 9-16 with a homer, double, and five RBIs. He went 5-5 with four RBIs against Biola on Feb. 17.
Summer League: Played for the Conejo Oaks in the California Collegiate League (2022) and the State College Spikes in the MLB Draft League (2024).
Background:High
School: A three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Glendora High School (Glendora, CA), Salgado also played two years of varsity football (wide receiver, defensive end, tight end), earning all-league honors as a junior and senior.
College Path: Attended Cal State LA (2022) before transferring to UCLA (2023-2025). He plans to major in sociology at UCLA.
Personal: Born to Pam and Al Salgado, he has five siblings (Brennen, Jordan, Ashlyn, Cailynn, Allie), all of whom competed in sports at Glendora High. His father, Al, a former baseball player and Disney animator, is known for sports photography in the San Gabriel Valley. Salgado admires Derek Jeter and Kobe Bryant, enjoys bodyboarding, cooking, and working out, and cites hitting his first home run as his greatest pre-UCLA athletic thrill.
MLB Draft Prospects:
In 2024, Salgado was named an MLB Draft candidate by UCLA coach John Savage. Analysts projected him as a potential 17th-round pick, comparing him to Brendan Donovan (St. Louis Cardinals, 2018 7th-rounder). His .300 average and .784 OPS in 2024 were solid, though his walk rate dropped from 14.5% at Cal State LA to 7.4% in the Pac-12.
On July 24, 2025, Salgado announced via Instagram that he signed as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) with the New York Mets on a minor-league contract.
Career Highs (as of 2025):
At-Bats: 7 vs. Omaha (Feb. 18, 2023)
Runs: 3 (eight times)
Hits: 4 (twice)
RBIs: 6 vs. Nebraska (March 15, 2025)
Doubles: 2 vs. Michigan (March 4, 2025)
Home Runs: 2 vs. Nebraska (March 15, 2025)
Stolen Bases: 2 vs. Michigan State (Feb. 23, 2025)
Salgado’s combination of power, speed, and versatility makes him a notable prospect, now beginning his professional journey with the Mets.
Me?
It’s hard to believe that none of the 30 teams drafted him this year. These are real numbers for a real team.
Could be a real USFA steal.
How the Mets Should Approach the 2025 Trade Deadline
https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/how-mets-should-buy-2025-trade-deadline/
The Rotation: Do They Have
Enough?
Stearns has indicated that he is not invested in the
market for starting pitchers. With Manaea, Senga, Peterson, Holmes, and Montas
all healthy at the moment, the Mets’ starting five is settled for now.
Additionally, top prospects Brandon
Sproat and Nolan McLean are both big
league ready, or not far off, in case of emergency. Frankly, the Mets are once
again finding an overabundance of starting options. Nonetheless, Stearns will
explore all options, especially if an ace becomes available.
Three ace-type arms that could be moved are Dylan Cease, Zac
Gallen, and Sandy Alcantara; however,
all three have struggled this season.
Cease has especially been linked to the Mets in recent
days. Jon Heyman of the New York Post listed
the Mets as one of six potential landing spots for the free-agent-to-be. He
owns a 4.59 ERA this season, but has struck out 144 batters in 113 ⅔ innings in
San Diego. Cease has finished in the top five in Cy Young balloting twice in
his career, which should raise his cost, but his rental status and subpar
performance this year could change that.
Gallen and Alcantara have not been linked to New York as
much. Gallen has a 5.58 ERA this year and will hit the open market at the end
of this season, while Alcantara’s ERA sits at 6.66. Alcantara has team control
through the end of the 2027 season.
A few of the other top rentals that could interest the
Mets are Merrill Kelly and Seth Lugo. While they don’t carry the same name
level as the Cease’s and Gallen’s on the market, Kelly and Lugo have been more
effective pitchers this season.
Kelly has pitched like the D-Backs ace this year, with a
3.32 ERA across his first 21 starts. Lugo has a 2.95 ERA across his first 19
starts and has become one of the most consistent inning-eaters in the game.
Stearns has made every indication that he will not make a
move for a starting pitcher, unless they are a clear-cut top-line arm that
would automatically end up in a playoff rotation. The next tier of pitchers,
such as Mitch Keller, seems less and less
likely as fits for the Mets.
Takeaways: What Should They Do?
Despite their record and standing atop the division, the
Mets need to upgrade, especially to match up with the NL goliaths in Los
Angeles and Chicago in a potential playoff series.
It seems more likely than anything that they will stick
to focusing on center field and the bullpen, unless Cease, Alcantara, or Gallen
falls into their lap. Ideally, they will land either Bader or Robert Jr., while
picking up a pair of relievers.
Mets mailbag
Is there a world in which we see Drew
Gilbert up after the trade deadline if the Mets don’t make a move for a
center fielder? — Joshua E.
Will: In his news conference Monday, Stearns was asked
about position-player prospects impacting the major-league team over the final
two months. He didn’t mention Gilbert or anyone else as a possibility. While
talking about the pitchers from Triple A who have made their bullpen, he called
it “less likely” to see a position player make an impact.
About a month ago, a couple of scouts from other clubs I
spoke with were down on Gilbert’s offensive ability. However, in 15 games and
64 plate appearances this month, he owns a 1.055 OPS with four home runs. He
has mostly played center field this season for Triple-A Syracuse.
Top Rental Bats on the Bubble to Be Moved
https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/rental-arms-bats-mlb-trade-deadline-candidates/
Bo Bichette, Toronto
Blue Jays: Bichette’s relationship with the Blue Jays has gone back and forth
over the past year. Not long ago it looked like there was no chance of him
staying in Toronto but that since has changed, apparently. But, does Toronto
want him?
The Blue Jays inked a number of deals and extensions
since Bichette was rumored to want out and I wonder where they stand with a
possible long term commitment. They are currently a playoff team (wild-card)
and probably would not move him unless something dramatically changes.
Trade Targets
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6467560/2025/07/02/mlb-trade-deadline-predictions-alcantara-naylor/
Alex Bregman,
3B, Red Sox
This was
another shocking name to me, but some execs believe the Red Sox could move on
from Bregman at the trade deadline if they can’t extend him by then. Bregman
and his agent, Scott Boras, have told the Red Sox they are open to signing a
long-term extension now. But if the two sides can’t work out a deal, don’t be
surprised if Boston trades him to either the Tigers or Mariners at the trade
deadline.
Bregman, 31,
is on the IL with a strained right quad but has slashed .299/.385/.553 with 11
home runs in 197 at-bats this season. He has two $41.7 million options
remaining on his contract but can opt out after this season or next. He would
bring valuable postseason experience and production (19 homers in 99 playoff
games) to an acquiring team.
What Kind of Haul Could Zac
Gallen Get?
https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/zac-gallen-mock-trades-landing-spots-news/
New York Mets
The Mets likely aren’t giving up any of their vaunted
pitching prospects, but they do have a prospect that likely fits Arizona in
their No. 7 prospect, Ryan Clifford, who
plays first base and outfield.
The D-Backs have a long-term void at first base. Clifford
has elite power and is already in Double-A. He has an .830 OPS and 35
extra-base hits, including 19 home runs. He could be ready for the Majors by
mid-season in 2026 and take over at first base.
The Mets could dangle a pitcher in the form of Dom Hamel, who is in Triple-A to get the deal
done. Hamel can start or pitch in relief from the right side. So far in
Triple-A, he has a 4.56 ERA over 49.1 innings, but has struck out 55 to just 15
walks.
Why adding a top set-up reliever at trade deadline still
makes sense for Mets
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6517618/2025/07/26/mets-trade-deadline-bullpen/
The asking prices for other high-end relievers like the
Pittsburgh Pirates’ David Bednar (not a free
agent until after the 2026 season) appear high, according to officials from
multiple rival clubs.
While the Mets are checking in on relievers with club
control and rentals, Díaz’s ability to opt out next season is not something
they are considering when looking for ways to improve before the trade
deadline, people briefed on their plans said. Generally, they view such
situations as offseason issues, and plenty can change over the next couple of
months. Judging from Díaz’s outstanding numbers (1.55 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 62
strikeouts), it is something the Mets will need to face down the road.
Evaluating 21 MLB deadline trade proposals from readers:
Who says no?
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6518481/2025/07/28/mlb-trade-deadline-scenarios-teams-targets/
9. Mets: 3B Eugenio Suárez
Diamondbacks: 3B Mark Vientos,
OF Drew Gilbert and RHP Blade Tidwell — No name given
The Mets say no freaking way.
The Mets are not trading Vientos straight-up for a
two-month rental of Suárez. That being said, I think I would consider Gilbert
and Tidwell for Suárez.
10. Mets get: CF Luis Robert
Jr.
White Sox get: RHP Nate Dohm and
SS Marco Vargas — No name given
The White Sox say no.
In Robert talks, the Sox have been asking interested
teams for two of their top 10 prospects, but they haven’t gotten any takers.
However, they have been offered a top 10 prospect plus an add on from multiple
teams. I think first base/outfield prospect Ryan
Clifford and outfield prospect Nick Morabito,
ranked No. 7 and 15, respectively in the Mets’ system by MLB Pipeline, would be
closer to what the White Sox are seeking to get to “yes.”
11. Mets pick up Robert and cash for infielder A.J. Ewing? — Mike R.
The White Sox say no.
I think the White Sox initially say no and ask for a
second player in the deal, but maybe a 20-30th-ranked prospect. With Ewing as
the centerpiece, I do think there’s a good chance this deal could get done.
12. Mets get: righty reliever Braxton
Ashcraft
Pirates get: outfield prospect Carson
Benge — Brian R.
The Mets say no.
I like Ashcraft, but I’m not giving up Benge for a set-up
reliever. That would be an extreme overpay in my view.
23 comments:
So many things to process at the deadline. Just don’t trade away Crow (I.e, Benge).
Saldago looks worthwhile to sign. The FCL Mets won’t be promoting many hitters to St Lucie for 2026, so this guy should help. Good luck.
Ewing for Robert straight up, I might consider.
Bichette was picked 4 picks after Pete Alonso. Two very impactful 2nd round picks. If they picked Bichette instead, would they have signed Lindor?
Some drafts go deeper than 30 primo prospects
This was one of them
Do you think Mitch Voitis “primo”?
Me?
No
If theMets really think Robert will reawaken with the Mets, I’d think Clifford and Morabito for him is not unreasonable.
The mighty Tong goes at 1:05 PM today in Binghamton. Find shade and GO.
Mets face Yu Darvish today, who is 0-3, 9.18 in 3 outings. Will the Mets score?
For the life of me I can't understand this obsession with Louis Robert. Why would you give anything of value to someone who is hitting .210. Everyone keeps claiming his potential. By every account I read of him they say he can't hit or adjust to the breaking ball. He's in the league for several years and once the league adjusted to him, he never progressed.
I saw a trade proposal suggest Pena and McLean for Mullins - some these proposals are just wild.
I think getting Robert would be a mistake, unless they were convinced he’d suddenly hit .240. That seems like very wishful thinking.
I don't see the value of trading for CFer. McNeil is doing fine there, and moving him back to 2B full-time blocks playing time for Baty or Mauricio, or both.
The back end of the lineup is doing fine lately. But Lindor and Soto are barely over .200 for the month of July and Pete is at . 146!!! If those 3 don't hit, we're in big trouble, but I'm sure they will. Leave CF alone and give Baty/Mauricio e eryday time.
On another note, both Vientos and Marte are doing well, but neither plays a position. Both have drawn trade interest, and I see one gone by Friday.
Since June 13 the two lowest BA in the NL are
Soto
Alonso
Cease has an ERA of 12.91 vs LAD in playoffs both GS in 2024, that was after having one of his best regular seasons. Not sure he’s the answer…
Mets just acquired Tyler Rogers from the Giants for Blake Tidwell, Drew Gilbert and another player from the Mets
Seems a lot for a rental. Roger’s is a free agent at the end of the year.
The third player is right-hander José Buttó, per Joel Sherman of The New York Post. Wow- don’t like this trade at all for a rental
What a stupid move. Next we'll probably give up top three prospects for Robert.
Can we include Alonso and Lindor in some deal.
I expected more from Stearns. I guess he feels Butto has limited talent, there are better pitching prospects than Tidwell and Benge in AA is a better centerfield prospect.
They may also be prepping for a trade for Robert from the White Sox but if Acuna is injured that trade probably isn’t happening.
I think just Butto for Roger would have been enough
We couldn't hit Rogers, I guess they think nobody else can either. We gave up too much for a rental player. I hope we have something in the works for center field and even more relief pitching.
Solution to RP on roster. Some fellow by name of Holmes.
I agree.
Will Benge go to Syracuse now to replace Gilbert?
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