Why these 3 NY Mets players might be better trade candidates closer to Opening Day

3) David Peterson

Some of the same rules apply here for David Peterson as they do with Kodai Senga. Let’s say the Mets add and don’t subtract much (if at all) with their starting rotation. Somehow, all of the MLB starters are healthy and we’re days away from the season beginning. What now?

The team isn’t optioning Nolan McLean. They wouldn’t get the same level of cooperation from Senga to begin the year either. There is only so much altering they can do by pushing someone to the bullpen. Limited choices might put someone like Peterson on the block.

Peterson is a less-discussed trade candidate on the Mets roster perhaps because he is affordable financially and put together a strong first half in 2025. It’s precisely why there should be teams interested in his services.

Injuries are bound to happen in spring training, something the Mets know too much about. Peterson is a guy teams would be wise to call about as a one-year rental to overcome any last-second ailments. It only works if the Mets somehow manage to skate through the preseason unscathed.

Someone will get subtracted from the rotation. Peterson isn’t the first name to come to mind, but he has some qualities that’ll make him appealing to other ball clubs for the same reasons we’d like to see what he can give the Mets in the coming year.