Mets Fire Sale- 3 Mock Trades
New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
As we all know, the Mets have been a dumpster fire this season. Their total tax payroll number is about $375M, after another big offseason highlighted by the courting of former Blue Jay Bo Bichette. While both Bo and Juan Soto have been mostly healthy, the Mets are still 41-58 in their first 99 games, eliminated from any kind of meaningful season. Owner Steve Cohen has some big contracts on the books outside of Soto and Bo, namely Marcus Semien and Francisco Lindor. While PBO David Stearns has his job for now, typically the exec is on the hot seat after firing the skipper (see Carlos Mendoza). Stearns was the architect of some successful rosters in Milwaukee, and will need to dig deep for a successful fire sale at the end of this month. Below are a few blue chip guys we project to be moved, along with the kind of package we expect the Mets to get in return.
Luke Weaver
Weaver might be the best reliever available at this year’s trade deadline, with the Red Sox riding a red hot 12-game winning streak that pushed them back into playoff contention. It no longer makes sense for them to trade the legendary gasman, Aroldis Chapman. Luke is making $9.5M this season, while also under contract for another $12.5M in 2027. With the performance he’s had this season, acquiring clubs will welcome the prospect of an additional control year at that figure. The Florida State alum has a career best 2.03 ERA, with perhaps an even more impressive .199 xBA. It’s worth noting Weaver was very good for the Yankees on their 2024 WS run, with a 1.76 ERA in 12 postseason appearances.
I have the Rays acquiring him from the disastrous Mets, who are the most disappointing team in baseball this season. In this mock trade, Tampa parts with Jonny DeLuca, the talented center fielder they acquired in the Tyler Glasnow deal a few years back. Jonny is in his last year of pre-arb, hitting .254 with premium outfield defense. At a glance, over three years of DeLuca is an overpay for a year plus of Luke Weaver. It’s important to remember, this will be a bidding war between several teams. Additionally, DeLuca’s wOBA is 31 points over his expected, and he’s a career 88 wRC+ guy. I think he’s best as a fourth outfielder, but he could replace Tyrone Taylor in center field, who is just about guaranteed to be traded himself.
Mock Trade built by Aidan (Baseball Trade Values)
Clay Holmes
Holmes will get a better return for David Stearns than Weaver due to his conversion to the starting rotation, despite the fact that he’ll likely decline his $12M player option for 2027 if healthy. The former Yankee is currently rehabbing his fibula in high-A Brooklyn, but should be healthy in two weeks when the deadline passes. After pitching for years across town as a closer, Clay signed with the Mets as a starter and has put up a 3.26 ERA over the last two seasons. He’s in the 95th percentile in ground ball rate this year, with a five-pitch mix highlighted by his new kick change that has changed his career for the better. The Cubs will get a #2 starter, a nice backfill for an injured Justin Steele. The Cubs’ 4.48 starter ERA is 21st in the MLB this season, an underwhelming performance highlighted by a disappointing Chicago debut for Edward Cabrera. Jed Hoyer knows they need reinforcements, and he’ll be willing to pay for an upgrade to make a postseason run.
Ethan Conrad (Cubs #7) is 55 grade upside on everything but his arm, giving him potential to be a true five tool player. Conrad was one of the top college hitters coming out of the draft in 2025, with a massive season at Wake Forest after transferring from Marist. He’s an athletic outfielder with a history of contact ability, a perfect fit for Tampa Bay. Mark McGwire’s son, Mason, is live arm as the #17 prospect in the Cubbie system. The right throws 93-95 MPH with a decent slider, but projects more as a depth starter for the org. If he can add a few tickets on the fastball, he could jump to the pen with a high nineties four seamer and a nice slider in a three quarters arm slot.
Mock Trade built by Aidan (Baseball Trade Values)
Freddy Peralta
Similar to Holmes, I have the Mets paying down the remainder of the contract to get a decent prospect return. Steve Cohen implemented this practice in the Scherzer and Verlander deals, and I expect more of the same as they attempt to reset for 2027 and beyond. In the Holmes deal, the Mets acquire some minor league talent and depth, while this mock has the White Sox providing some MLB talent in Sam Antonacci. While known primarily for being on Team Italy in the WBC, the Coastal Carolina alum has a 124 wRC+ in his rookie season. Antonacci is only 23 and plays both left field and second base, offering versatility for the Mets. Second, David Sandlin is a nice supplemental offer in this deal, as a young guy who can hit triple digits backed by a 60 grade slider. He’s starting for now, but it seems likely that he’ll end up in the bullpen at the highest level.
On the White Sox part, they lose an everyday player in Antonacci, but get to rent an ace having a down year in Freddy Peralta. The White Sox are relevant for the first time in years, so making a hard push with an arm like Freddy’s makes too much sense. While the 2X All Star has a mediocre 4.66 ERA this season, he has a much more respectable 3.82 xERA. Peralta’s bad year lightens the return here, but Antonacci and a promising bullpen arm is still a decent return on investment for the Mets in their fire sale.
Mock Trade built by Aidan (Baseball Trade Values)
