3 former NY Mets players who’d be a trade match if things didn’t end poorly in Queens

3) Phil Maton

A case could be made that the Mets should have re-signed Phil Maton rather than invite Ryne Stanek back for another year. The two are having very different years, each looking like their regular seasons selves from 2024 with the Mets rather than the postseason models.

Maton flamed out late in 2024 and in the postseason while Stanek had a much different experience. The contrast between the pair was stark. In a way, it’s good neither was all that productive at the same time because they helped make up for the other’s struggles.

In 35.1 innings for the St. Louis Cardinals, Maton has a 2.55 ERA. This includes a recent explosion with 3 earned runs charged against him in his last inning of the first half. His numbers are close enough to what he did for the Mets in the regular season in 2024 when he pitched to a 2.51 ERA with 1.9 BB/9 and 9.4 K/9. This year he’s at 3.6 BB/9 and 11.5 K/9. Take that for what you will.

The Mets moving on from Maton in the offseason and essentially demoting him to a lesser role in the bullpen last year told us a lot about what they truly think. His availability remains undetermined with the Cardinals not quite in sell mode but also fighting an uphill battle.

Maton notably took the lack of interest in his services personally. The chip on his shoulder seems to have added to the motivation. For his sake, he better not burn out.