3 SP doors the NY Mets can refuse to knock on due to their scary second half

A common problem for the New York Mets pitching staff in 2025 was how poorly they performed in the latter part of the season. Just about every starting pitcher not named Nolan McLean had a late-season blowup to the point where we couldn’t really trust anyone.

A late-season burnout isn’t completely uncommon. As the 162-game season goes on, starting pitchers are bound to feel it as much as anyone. These three veterans have eaten innings before. Already debatable additions the Mets could make to their starting staff, a late-season plummet should have New York refusing to knock on the door at all.

1) Framber Valdez

Framber Valdez could be considered the best starting pitcher available in free agency. However, like the Houston Astros, the year didn’t end so well. Valdez was 10-4 with a 2.74 ERA in the first half. After the All-Star Break, he was 3-7 with a 5.20 ERA. His ERA reached 5.64 in August and 6.51 in September. The weak finish makes it easier to talk ourselves into skipping his house altogether. Sign him and you're going to miss out on the opportunity to reach all of the best houses in the neighborhood.

2) Sonny Gray

The St. Louis Cardinals would love to trade Sonny Gray and the backloaded contract he’s on. Owed $35 million this coming season with a $5 million buyout for 2027, he’s a bad match for the Mets for several reasons. Just because the Mets spend money doesn’t mean they want to be abusive about it. Gray had a year that didn’t end as well as it began. He was 9-3 with a 3.50 ERA in the first half. He ended the year with a 5-5 record and 5.45 ERA in the second half. He was annihilated with a 7.81 ERA in July and later a 4.76 ERA in September. August was good but hardly makes his failures with the New York Yankees forgettable. It doesn't matter if Gray is giving out full size candy bars; they're probably melted anyway.

3) Mitch Keller

Another name we should expect to see trade rumors about is Pittsburgh Pirates starter Mitch Keller. His extension is going to finally hit Bob Nutting where it hurts. Escalating salaries topping $16+, $18+, and finally $20+ million over the next three seasons, he’s always going to be a speculated trade option while the Pirates are run the way they are. Keller finished the year with his best ERA since 2022 at 4.19, slightly better than the last two seasons, but a poor 6-15 record and lower WAR. Crunch the numbers any way you want. Keller was 3-10 with a 3.48 ERA in the first half. He ended the year with a 3-5 record and 5.65 ERA in his final dozen starts. August is where the brunt of the damage was done, pitching to a 6.52 ERA in those 6 starts. Keller’s lack of postseason/big game experience should have him immediately falling far behind some of the other choices out there. His Halloween house is all decorative with average candy in the bowl.