The New York Mets traded catcher Ben Rortvedt, to the Los Angeles Dodgers, for pitcher Tariq Skubal.
No?
Oh... err... I meant, pitcher Chayce McDermott.
2026 MLB - 0-WAR 0-0 7.71
AAA - 27-APPS, 1-2 4.10
Mack’s Mets – the premier site for information on the New York Mets talent pipeline and dialogue on Mets prospects, Mets news, and Mets opinions.
8/3/26
THAT Adam Smith - Goodbye Huascar
The Mets, in the midst of an historic sell-off capping off an otherwise lost season, have sent Relief Pitcher Huascar Brazoban to the Chicago White Sox for minor league RHP’s Gabe Davis (AA) and Zach Franklin (AAA).
The Mets acquired Brazoban as buyers at the 2024 deadline in exchange for minor league pitcher Wilfredo Lara, who has not made it past A-Ball. Brazoban, who had pitched to a 2.93 ERA over 30 innings for the Marlins that season, failed to help the Mets during their ‘24 stretch drive, pitching to a 5.14 ERA over 21 innings and did not appear in the post-season.
Since then, however, Brazoban has been quite effective. In 2025 he thew 63 innings over 52 appearances with a 3.57 ERA, and has been even better this year, throwing 52.3 innings over 46 appearances with a 2.57 ERA and a 1.006 WHIP.
A late-bloomer in baseball terms, Brazoban didn’t throw his first big league pitch until his age 32 season, and now, about to turn 37, heads to the White Sox with three years of control remaining after this one.
That control, and the fact that Brazoban has only gotten better and shows no signs of slowing down due to age, puts a lot of pressure on Stearns and the Mets to have something to show for this deal once the dust clears.
The highest upside, and really the centerpiece return on this deal for the Mets is undoubtedly Gabe Davis.
Davis, a 2025 5th round draft pick out of Oklahoma State University where he was teammates with both Nolan McLean and Carson Benge, is a soon-to-be 23 year-old 6’9, 235 lb RHP with, as you might imagine, great extension down the mound. He throws a high-90’s,high-spin fastball that can hit triple digits which Baseball America grades as a 60 (above MLB average) pitch, and features a 60-grade slider as well.
Davis was limited to just 24 college innings at Oklahoma St. in ‘25 while recovering from a “fishing injury”, which very likely hurt his draft status. But he started his pro career in fine fashion in 2026 at A+ Winston-Salem, throwing 27.1 IP over 8 starts with a 2.63 ERA, 33 K, and a 1.06 WHIP. Quickly promoted to AA just months into his first pro season, has struggled a bit in Birmingham with an 8.71 ERA in 10 starts, though much of that damage was done over a three start sample.
The Mets will assign Davis to AA Binghamton.
Baseball America had Gabe Davis as Chicago’s #20 prospect, while MLB Pipeline had him at #18. But a 6’9 230 lb pitcher with less than a season of pro experience, who is already pitching in AA and features with a high-velo, high-spin FB and a 60-grade slider is objectively, a lot to work with and the upside is presumably very high. And while there is very definitely reliever risk, the Mets will keep him on track as a starter and see what they have, and - with years of control ahead - what they can turn him into.
Zach Franklin, the “other” pitcher in the deal, is a 27 yr-old RH RP who was a 10th round pick by the Sox in 2023. He’s spent the entire 2026 season at AAA Charlotte, where he threw 45 innings over 33 appearances with an impressive 60K and a 1.125 WHIP, while giving up less than 3 BB/9. His 2026 ERA has been inflated somewhat by 11 HR over those 45 innings, which seems like an outlier for Franklin who gave up just 4 HR over 56 IP last season between AA-AAA.
Franklin features a standard 4-pitch mix featuring a low-90’s FB, splitter, slider, and curveball. He is Rule 5 Eligible this year so the Mets will need to add him to the 40-man or risk losing him. He has been assigned to Syracuse for now, but we can expect to see him make his big league debut as the ‘26 season winds down.
For the past two seasons, Huascar Brazoban has been an effective - and at times extremely impressive member of the Mets bullpen. In electing to trade him with three years of control remaining, the organization knows that we are all likely to be watching Brazoban help Chicago through possibly multiple playoff runs in seasons where he could have still been in Queens.
In Franklin, they get a guy who may or may not be a useful reliever for them next season, and while it’s easy to dismiss the chances of a 27 yr-old who has struggled some at AAA, keep in mind that Brazoban didn’t even make his major league debut until he was 32, so you never know.
But it’s Gabe Davis, the behemoth, flamethrowing starter with elite extension and a nasty slider that this front office is dreaming on. He will most likely be the difference between winning and losing this trade in the long run. With less than a year of pro ball under his belt, and already sitting in AA, the upside is undeniable. It’s the kind of arm an org can dream on as a future mid-to-top of the rotation starter.
Now it’ll be up to the kid, and the Mets pitching development program, and the baseball gods. The Mets are already getting grief from fans and analysts for this still-ongoing deadline. And dealing away Brazoban and all of that control is a big risk. But if the giant kid with the live arm and two 60-grade pitches fulfills his potential, this could, in the end, turn out to be an 80-grade trade for the Mets.
MACK - Let’s Get To Know – John Spikerman, Luke Gabrysh
John Spikerman
John Spikerman (born
April 2, 2003, in Houston, TX) is a switch-hitting outfielder (primarily center
field) who was recently traded from the Philadelphia Phillies to the New York
Mets.
High school: Starred at Lake Creek High School in Texas
(named District 20-5A MVP as a senior).
College: Played at the University of Oklahoma (Sooners). He
had a strong junior season in 2024: .367/.429/.542 with
3 HR, 32 RBI, and 11 SB in 42 games (missed time with injury). Overall college career slash: around .313/.423/.451 with solid speed and contact skills.
Drafted by the Phillies in the 3rd round (100th overall) of
the 2024 MLB Draft; signed for an under-slot $672,500 bonus.
Physical profile: 6'0", 190 lbs, Bats: Switch / Throws:
Right. Elite speed (70-grade on the 20-80
scale), good range and instincts in center field, plus arm.
He has
dealt with several injuries (hamate bone in college, hamstrings/lower
leg, shoulder, and ankle in pros), limiting his games played.
2024 (Low-A Clearwater): Limited to 17 games — .226/.360/.323, 7 SB.
2025 (across levels): 62 games — .224/.355/.319, 3 HR, 30
SB.
2026 (High-A Jersey Shore + rehab): ~32 games —
.252/.423/.330, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 18 SB in limited action (missed time with ankle injury but returned late
July).
Career MiLB (approx.): .232 AVG, 3 HR, 55 SB in ~375 AB. He
shows strong on-base skills, high steal success rate, and gap power but very little home run pop.
Strengths: Double-plus speed,
baserunning threat, plus defender in center (can handle all three
outfield spots), improving contact/approach after swing adjustments.
Weaknesses: Below-average
power (30-grade), needs to stay healthy, hit tool still developing against
better pitching.
Projection: Often viewed as a high-floor backup/outfield
depth piece with upside for more if the bat progresses; his speed gives him a
solid floor.
He's a classic speedy, athletic center fielder prospect
whose development has been slowed by injuries but who brings high-end running
and defense tools. Keep an eye on his health and power development in the Mets
system.
Luke Gabrysh is a
23-year-old right-handed pitcher (born April 16, 2003, in Wilmington, Delaware)
in the Philadelphia Phillies organization (as of mid-2026 data; note a reported
trade to the Mets around early August 2026).
He stands 6'3" and 200 lbs, throws right, and was
drafted by the Phillies in the 15th round (No. 462 overall) of the 2024 MLB
Draft out of Saint Joseph's University (where he was primarily a reliever with
modest college stats).
College: At St. Joe’s, he appeared in 40 games (mostly
relief) with an 8.13 ERA
but showed strikeout ability.
His big breakout came in the 2024 MLB Draft League with the
Trenton Thunder (closer role): 1.42 ERA, 23 K in 12⅔ IP with elite command.
Pro career: Signed for $100K. The Phillies converted him to
a starter.
In 2025 (mostly Low-A Clearwater, brief High-A Jersey
Shore): 7-4, 3.33 ERA in 78.1 IP.
He is viewed as a depth arm with upside—not a top prospect,
but one who has impressed internally with his pitchability, spin, and
development.
Repertoire
Gabrysh features a five-pitch mix from a lower
three-quarters arm slot (noted similarity to Aaron Nola in some looks). He throws strikes at a solid rate, spins the ball well,
and has added velocity/depth since pro ball.
Fastballs (primary
weapons): Sinker (often his go-to/favorite; high usage ~49% in one 2025
sample): Sits 93-96 mph (up to 97-98), with
good arm-side run/sink. Effective for weak contact and grounders.
Four-seam fastball: 94-98
mph with carry/ride. Velocity has ticked up (averaged ~94 in 2025, up to 96+ in spring 2026).
Sweeper/slider (high-spin;
big horizontal movement, 80-84 mph range, 2600+ rpm possible): Key pitch from
his Draft League days; generates swings and misses.
Hard slider (added in pro
ball): Weapon vs. lefties for weak contact/swing-miss.
Cutter (mentioned in some
arsenals, ~88 mph): Bridges pitches.
Changeup (~87 mph): Used
vs. lefties for separation/fade.
tjStuff+ data from 2025 Low-A showed above-average or better
marks on most pitches (sinker ~98, cutter/4-seam ~102, slider ~103). He holds velocity well over outings and has good
extension.
Overall, Gabrysh profiles as a
potential back-end starter or multi-inning reliever with his strike-throwing,
multi-pitch arsenal, and improving stuff. His ceiling depends on
refining command and limiting hard contact/HRs as he climbs.
MACK - OPEN THREAD - BROOKS RALEY TRADE
BROOKS RALEY IN HIS PRE-METS DAYS
The New York Mets have traded RP Brooks Raley to the Philadelphia Phillies.
In return, they received OF John Spikerman and RHP Luke Gabrysh
MACK - Let’s Get To Know – Zach Franklin, Gabe Davis
Zach Franklin is a
right-handed relief pitcher (born October 27, 1998).
He is 6'1", 198 lbs, and was drafted in the 10th round
(299th overall) out of Missouri in 2023.
As of 2026, he is primarily a high-leverage
reliever/closer prospect
Franklin is known for a funky,
deceptive delivery with a very short arm action (often compared to throwing a
shot put), which enhances his swing-and-miss ability despite mostly
average raw movement on secondaries. He leans heavily on his fastball and has
posted strong strikeout rates in the minors (career ~12-13 K/9).
His arsenal (primarily from college/pro scouting reports
around 2023–2025):
Fastball (primary pitch,
~mid-90s, up to 97–98 mph): Often described
as a four-seamer with solid results and "hop." He has also used a
sinker/two-seamer shape. He throws it frequently (e.g., ~2/3 of pitches in some
Triple-A outings) and relies on it heavily for effectiveness, even if velocity
isn't elite.
Splitter / Split-Changeup:
A key secondary offering (mid-80s). It has worked well against lefties despite
average movement metrics, contributing to deception and weak contact.
Breaking ball (slider/cutter/curve
hybrid): Low-80s to mid-70s range depending on the grip/variation. Scouting
notes describe it as hard to classify—it can move like a cutter/slider but with
curve-like shape. It has generated high whiff rates and is a swing-and-miss
weapon. He has also been noted throwing a more traditional slider and occasional curveball.
He has shown solid strikeout
stuff across pitches but has had command/HR issues at times (especially in tougher environments
like Triple-A). His profile fits a late-inning reliever or closer role, needing
primarily two strong pitches to succeed at the MLB level.
Gabe Davis is a
22-year-old (born Oct 21, 2003) 6'9", 234 lb right-handed pitching
prospect.
He was drafted in the 5th round (137th overall) of the 2025
MLB Draft out of Oklahoma State and signed for $587,500.
2026 Minor League Stats (as of early August 2026)
Overall: 0-5, 5.81 ERA, 18 GS, 62 IP, 70 K, 24 BB, 1.50 WHIP.
High-A (Winston-Salem): 0-0, 2.63
ERA, 27.1 IP, 33 K, 7 BB, 1.06 WHIP (strong debut).
Double-A (Birmingham): 0-5, 8.31 ERA, 34.2 IP, 37 K, 17 BB, 1.85 WHIP
(struggles with more homers and contact).
He has limited innings history due to college injuries (shoulder,
collarbone)
Davis has premium stuff wth
significant projection tied to his massive frame, downhill plane, and arm
talent. When synced, it plays as high-upside; command and consistency are the
main hurdles.
Fastball (primary, grade
~60): Sits 94-97 mph, touches 100 mph.
Features mild armside run, high spin, and steep downhill angle from his
height/extension. Velocity doesn't always dominate due to occasional flatness,
but it has life and plays up at times.
Slider (best secondary,
grade 55-60): Tight upper-80s (up to 92 mph). Power slider with hard movement;
can tighten into a cutter. A legitimate bat-misser when located.
Changeup (grade ~45):
Mid-80s with fade/tumble at times. Inconsistent/reliable but a useful third
pitch.
Curveball (occasional,
grade ~40): Low-80s (around 80 mph), used sparingly.
Scouting Profile Summary: Huge
upside as a power arm with starter traits, but long levers make
sync/command challenging (control grade ~40). Many evaluators see him as a
potential high-leverage reliever (FB/SL combo) if starting doesn't stick.
MACK - Let’s Get To Know – Aiden Smith, Emilien Pitre, Gary Gill Hill
Aidan Smith (born July 23, 2004) is a 22-year-old outfielder (primarily center field) in the New York Mets organization.
High School: Lovejoy HS in Lucas, Texas. He had a strong
senior year and impressed at the 2023 MLB Draft Combine (hitting balls up to
104 mph and over 400 feet).
Drafted: 4th round (124th overall) by the Seattle Mariners
in 2023. He signed for $1.2 million (well over
slot) instead of attending Mississippi State.
6'2"–6'3", 190 lbs, right-handed batter and
thrower. Athletic with plus speed, a strong arm, and projectable power.
2023: Made his pro debut in the Arizona Complex League and
briefly in Low-A with the Modesto Nuts.
2024: Strong full-season debut split between the Mariners
(Modesto) and Rays (after the trade). He hit around .288/.401/.473 with 11 HR,
33 doubles, and 41 SB in 97 games at Single-A, showing a good approach and
tools.
Traded to Rays: In July 2024 as the key piece (along with
RHP Brody Hopkins) in the deal sending OF Randy Arozarena to Seattle. He was viewed as a high-upside center fielder.
2025: Moved up to High-A Bowling Green (Rays). Posted a
.237/.331/.388 line with 14 HR and 41 SB in 102 games, but with a higher strikeout rate (~31%).
He dealt with some swing adjustments and contact issues but showed power/speed
combo.
2026: Started
the year with hamstring issues (missed time, rehab in lower levels).
Split time mostly in High-A and some Double-A - power
and speed flashes but continued
strikeout concerns.
Scouting Profile and Outlook - Smith is a well-rounded toolsy outfielder with plus speed
(good base stealer), a strong arm, and improving power. He projects as an
everyday outfielder with potential for more if he improves contact rates
and manages strikeouts (a noted area for growth). Defensively,
he's a good fit in center with range and instincts.
He has been ranked as high as a top-100 overall prospect and
a top-15-ish guy in the Rays system before the most recent trade. His ETA is
around 2027–2028.
Émilien Pitre (full name:
Emilien Joyal Pitre) is a Canadian professional baseball infielder, primarily a
second baseman (with some shortstop experience), in the Tampa Bay Rays
organization.
Born: October 4, 2002 (age 23 as of 2026) in Repentigny,
Quebec, Canada.
Bats/Throws: Left/Right.
Height/Weight: 5'11" / 185 lbs.
Draft: Selected by the Rays in the 2nd round (No. 58
overall) of the 2024 MLB Draft out of the University of Kentucky. He signed for a bonus of about $1.52 million.
Pitre grew up in a Montreal suburb and stood out for his
baseball skills (he didn't play hockey, which is uncommon for the area). He played college baseball at Kentucky, where he showed
strong contact skills, plate discipline, and gap power. In his junior
year (2024), he hit .298/.419/.506 with 9 home runs. He also performed well in
the wood-bat Cape Cod League, which helped boost his draft stock.
The Rays were aggressive with him post-draft, starting him
in Single-A Charleston (RiverDogs) in 2024, where he hit .299/.402/.403 in a short 21-game stint.
2025 (High-A Bowling Green Hot Rods): Solid full-season
debut with a .268/.356/.393 slash line, 9 HR, 14 SB, good walk rate (11.6%),
and a 121 wRC+ (above league average). He showed
contact ability, speed, and improving power.
2026: Continued progress in Double-A. Strong early results including multi-hit
games. As of mid-2026, he's viewed as a top-30ish prospect in the Rays system
(ranked around No. 22–28 in some updates).
Playing Style and Outlook
Pitre is a contact-oriented
hitter with plus speed and solid defense up the middle (rangy at 2B/SS).
He doesn't project as a big power guy but has enough pop for gaps and
occasional homers, plus strong on-base skills. Scouts note his polish, baseball
IQ, and makeup—he's often described as a "self-made" player.
Gary Gill Hill (full
name: Gary Anthony Gill Hill) is a 21-year-old right-handed starting pitcher
(born September 20, 2004, in New Rochelle, NY).
He stands 6'2" and weighs 160 lbs. He was drafted by
the Tampa Bay Rays in the 6th round (194th overall) of the 2022 MLB Draft out
of John F. Kennedy Catholic HS in New York, signing for $597,500.
Limited innings in 2023 (mostly FCL Rays, brief Low-A stint)
due to inexperience and a biceps
tendinitis issue. He showed promise with a lively arm but needed
refinement.
Breakout 2024: At Low-A Charleston (Carolina League), he
posted a strong 4-4 record with a 3.15 ERA over 108.2 IP, 105 strikeouts, and
improved control (1.11 WHIP). He earned
post-season All-Star honors.
2025: Full season at High-A Bowling Green (South Atlantic
League): 7-8, 3.82 ERA in 25 starts (136.2 IP), 107 K. Solid but with some homer issues.
2026: Split between High-A and Double-A Montgomery (Rays),
going 7-3 with a 4.49 ERA in 20 starts (108.1 IP). He represented Great Britain
in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (pitching them to their only win of the
tournament and helping secure a 2030 spot).
Overall minors (through 2026): 19-20, 3.99 ERA in 81 games
(mostly starts), 394.2 IP, 338 K, 1.26 WHIP. He has shown durability for his
age and steady strikeout ability, with improving command.
He ranks as the Rays' No. 26 prospect (MLB Pipeline) and has
been viewed as a high-upside arm who has exceeded
early expectations thanks to maturity and buy-in on adjustments.
Hill shifted from a lower/sidearm slot toward upper
three-quarters. This boosted velocity, added depth to offspeed pitches, and
improved consistency. He added strength (gained ~20 lbs in one offseason) and
refined his delivery for better carry and tunneling.
Hill features a four-pitch mix (sometimes described with
variations as five offerings) of mostly average-to-above-average stuff.
Scouting grades (2026): Fastball 50, Cutter 50, Slider 50,
Changeup 45, Control 55, Overall 45.
Fastballs (primary
weapons, 93-95 mph, touch 96-97): Pair of
fastballs — a four-seamer (flatter, used up in the zone for whiffs/carry) and a
two-seamer/sinker (run, induces grounders, especially in on righties or away to
lefties). Velocity and separation improved post-arm-slot change.
Cutter (upper 80s):
Sharp, short movement; acts as a bridge pitch. Good for running in on lefties
or away from righties; generates weak contact.
Slider/Slurve/Sweeper:
Bigger-breaking version with sweep/lateral movement (evolved over time).
Effective against righties; can vary shape for different looks. One of his
better secondary options.
Changeup (mid-80s): Good
fade and separation; used to steal strikes and exploit lefty splits. Quick arm
helps sell it.
He throws from a repeatable upper three-quarters slot that
creates good depth on breakers and off-speed. The arsenal is "kitchen
sink"-style with multiple fastball and breaking variations, allowing him
to attack both sides of the plate and tunnel pitches effectively. He has shown
strong strike-throwing ability and the ability to pitch deep into games.
Strengths: Athletic, projectable
frame with room to add strength; advanced feel for a young pitcher; improving
command and pitchability.
Areas to watch: Consistency of velocity deeper into starts, limiting homers, and
refining execution against higher-level hitters.
Hill is seen as a potential mid-rotation starter or better
if he continues progressing. His development path (high school to pro
adjustments) and Rays' player development track record make him an intriguing
prospect now with the Mets.
MACK - OPEN THREAD - HUASCAR BRAZOBAN TRADE
The New York Mets have traded RP Huascar Brazoban to the Chicago White Sox for AAA RHP Zach Franklin and AA RHP Gabe Davis.
Franklin is 27/years old and has pitched entirely this season for AAA-Charlotte, going 2-2, 4.37, 1.12, in 33-games, one start. He has pitched 45.1 innings, produced only 14-BB but struck out an impressive 60 batters. Throws a mid-90s fastball.
Davis is 22/year old and has had 18 starts for the White Sox combined A+/AA minor league teams. Combined stat line is: 0-5, 5.81, 1.50, 62.0-IP, 24-BB, 70-K.
Paul Articulates - A renewal of hope
The MLB trade deadline is upon us. At 6pm EDT today the deadline will arrive and all deals will be final. The decks will have been reshuffled, and the buyers will renew their drive to a championship while the sellers will renew their hopes for a brighter future.
Of course, it is always better to have hope now than hope for the future, because there are so many variables in baseball that can change the expected future into something else. Injuries, performance regression, or just the inability of prospects to achieve once at the next level are factors that are difficult to predict, but devastating to aspirations.
And so we find our beloved New York Mets, sellers at the deadline, grasping the straws of hope that some of the return they get for dumping established talent will become brighter talent in the seasons to come.
I don't enjoy watching a team dismantled, but then again I didn't enjoy the quality of baseball being demonstrated by the current team. To turn the page from what has been over 13 months of disappointing results is a blessing. Unfortunately, the next few months will only be a training ground for the remaining players as they work to prove that they should be the building blocks for the next great team. As of this morning, the Mets are not only 19 games under .500, but they are also a weaker MLB team with the arms that have been relinquished.
Of all the players received in trades for David Peterson, Freddy Peralta, and AJ Minter, none are realistic projections for the majors in 2027. The group includes a single-A infielder, two high A position players (OF, corner IF), and three AA players (pitcher, two IF). They add depth and competition to the minor league rosters. If any of them bedazzles, they will be promoted to the next level, but with some maturing time there it is unlikely that any would see MLB action until the 2027 call-ups in September at best.
There are still deals in the making as of the time this article is published. The Mets still have some very attractive candidates to offer for potential returns that surpass recent trades. Clay Holmes and Luke Weaver are both players that could attract significant offers. With four catchers on the Mets' 40-man roster it is possible that Alvarez or Torrens could be dangled in front of the suitors.
In the end, the team will have parted with some underperforming veterans and their salaries for some organizational depth and maybe a few bright prospects. Then the post-season free agent period will open with the possibility to build out a competitive team.
For now, the team will play out the remaining 49 games and the fan base will begin to build renewed hope for the next season. That's what we do as Mets fans - hope for a brighter future.
Reese Kaplan -- Without a Catcher You Have a Lot of Passed Balls
Writing a day or more ahead of east coast USA calendars it’s sometimes difficult to write things in a timely manner. Right now as I sit here starting to write it is Sunday morning on the other side of the world which corresponds to Saturday evening in New York. Many things could happen between now and the Monday morning scheduled posting time so I realize that some of what I describe could change between now and then.
What people are not noticing nor appreciating is that he went from a .209 season’s batting average back then to a career mark of .235. With power and average defense you could likely live with that batting average because catchers with rare exception are not middle-of-the-order hitters. This year, however, he’s up to .254 which is a roughly 40% improvement over his previous efforts. If the trade off from high power and low average to moderate power and higher average is real, then the team and the fans should be satisfied with that.
Some folks also seem to dismiss what he’s done without giving any credit to his young age of 24. Many rookies are just taking their first crack at the big leagues at this age and Alvarez has already had nearly 1200 ABs. The potential to become an even more effective hitter is most definitely there and the defensive aspects of his game should also continue to evolve.
If the Mets wanted to try to trade Torrens it would be a loss of quality but not as big a loss as Alvarez would be. A backup catcher, no matter how good he is, will not generate a top prospect in return. For minimal pay with an improving bat it would be wiser for Alvarez to become part of the corps of players that indeed comes back for 2027 and beyond. At ages 25 through 30 he could blossom.
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