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3 MLB trade deadline rentals that are perfect fits for the NY Mets

The New York Mets are going to be buyers at the deadline. These 3 short term trade targets would fit the Mets' roster perfectly.
ByNoah Wright|
Jun 8, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins left fielder Willi Castro (50) reacts to hitting a single during the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images
Jun 8, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins left fielder Willi Castro (50) reacts to hitting a single during the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images | Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images
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3) Gregory Soto

While Milner is a soft-tossing lefty, Gregory Soto is the opposite. Soto has a 3.98 ERA, but a 3.15 FIP, and 1.26 WHIP across 31.2 innings with the Baltimore Orioles this year. The southpaw has always had trouble with walks, and his 10.1% BB% isn’t going to impress anyone. However, that is slightly better than his career 11.8% BB%, and he is striking out batters at a career-best 28.3% rate.

Soto has always been good at limiting quality contact. However, his 2.5% barrel rate is the best of his career, by a mile. His previous career-low was higher by over double. Soto had a 5.6% barrel rate in 2023. He is only in the 20th percentile of exit velocity at 90.6 MPH, but is in the 66th percentile of ground ball percentage at 45.7%. His microscopic barrel percentage has helped him put up a 0.57 HR/9.

While Soto’s ERA is approaching 4.00, his ERA estimators put him in a much brighter light. He is in the 75th percentile of xERA at 3.23. xFIP pins him at 3.49, while SIERA is the most bullish underlying metric, at 3.20. While Soto induces poor contact like Milner, he does it in a much different way. Soto’s sinker averages out at 96.6 MPH, and is in the top 86th percentile of fastball velocity. His slider induces an impressive 48.4% whiff rate, which is the 11th highest among all sliders. 

Gregory Soto has more experience in high leverage as well. He served as the Detroit Tigers’ closer in 2021 and 2022, making the All-Star Game both seasons. Given his experience setting up and closing out games, Soto may be a better candidate for the Mets to go after than Milner. Soto is also on MLB Trade Rumors' top 40 trade candidates list, which neither Castro, nor Milner are.

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