3 NY Mets backup plans if the right trade deadline deal doesn’t come along

Three roster alternatives for the Mets if they don't solve some of their biggest trade deadline needs.
Washington Nationals v New York Mets
Washington Nationals v New York Mets | Christopher Pasatieri/GettyImages
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3) Dylan Ross - bullpen

A little further under the radar than McLean and Gilbert is Dylan Ross. MLB Pipeline updated their prospect rankings recently. Ross didn’t make it until after the Gregory Soto trade, now ranking 23rd.

Eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this December, it’s make or break for Ross and his future with the Mets. If not added to the 40-man roster by the deadline this November, he’s at risk of being lost and who wouldn’t try to steal him away?

This year, Ross has catapulted his way from High-A to Triple-A. Despite being drafted in 2022, he logged only one professional game for the Mets before this season. They weren’t about to hold him back. The hard-throwing righty is now excelling in Triple-A, pitching to a 1.59 ERA in 11.1 innings. Control has been the one concern with 8 walks but with 17 strikeouts already.

The Mets have cycled through multiple pitchers with big league experience this year, several of whom have had minor league options. If they’ve seen enough out of Ross in the minor leagues, he should be under consideration to bump one of them out of the picture. He should be an alternative to acquiring someone else's optional reliever for depth purposes.