Reese Kaplan -- Get Ready to Hit the Antacids or Adult Beverages

What possible upcoming trades would decimate the already fragile faith and egos remaining with Mets fans after the 2025 mediocrity followed up with the nightmarish 2026 horror show?

Clay Holmes is a player who many are trumpeting being the recipient of a very un-Mets-like contract extension after having pitched quite well in 2025 and even better before injury in 2026.  On the surface it makes a lot of sense but at the same time his conspicuous results make him highly desirable to other teams.  With many of the other prospect trade candidates having less than stellar seasons someone who proves healthy enough for another team to roll the dice might net the highest level of return prospect stock which is seriously missing from the Mets upper minor league affiliates.  He’s currently earning $13 million and holds a $12 million option for 2027.

Similarly, A.J. Minter when healthy has proven to be every bit as good (perhaps even better) than he was during his long career in Atlanta.  His health is without question and his current metrics are stunning.  Over 21 games he has a 1.000 WHIP, a 1.71 ERA and he’s striking out nearly one per inning pitched.  Yes, his price is a little on the high side as he’s pulling down $11 million as a middle reliever and holds a player option to renew at that same rate for 2027.  Still, the back of the baseball card numbers suggest he would bring back quite a return.

Now Brooks Raley is a little bit different in that his age will count against him.  At age 38 he’s hitting the latter stage of his career but age is not keeping him from making himself into a major southpaw bullpen asset.  He’s sporting a 1.96 ERA over 41 games with better than a K per IP and a nice WHIP of 1.118.  He’s earning just $5.25 million and is a free agent at year’s end without any options, consequently the financial risk to a prospective trade partner is much lower than what they would absorb with Minter. 

After these top three candidates it gets a bit murkier.  Take Sean Manaea for example.  His very uneven 2026 has him showing health but not much else.  He’s earning $25 million for a 4.74 ERA over 21 games (7 starts).  Anyone acquiring him is also absorbing a $25 million salary for 2027.  While the Mets have said they are not looking to pay down contracts to facilitate trades taking place it would seem almost mandatory for the Mets to do so in this case unless simply salary relief for some lower level prospect warm bodies is considered good business.

Similarly Kodai Senga is also under contract through 2027.  He’s not as expensive — $15 million per year — but that same salary is obligated for next season as well.  The problem here is what’s happened on the mound.  Well, that is an issue as is his health.  He’s current offering up an 8.85 ERA though his overall American numbers are just a small amount of 3.00.  It’s another case where you would almost have to make a financial incentive to get other front office executives even to consider taking a chance that they could revive the earlier Senga performances.

Other prospective trade options like Marcus Semien, Jorge Polanco and Francisco Lindor are looking for trade partners to swallow an awful lot of salary and a whole lot less likely to happen.  Less expensive options like Brett Baty, Francisco Alvarez and Tyrone Taylor would be easier to move but the returns wouldn’t be at headline grabbing levels.