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3 way too early NY Mets trade deadline targets with salaries under $6 million

ByNoah Wright|
Apr 4, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Gregory Soto (65) throws a pitch in the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Apr 4, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Gregory Soto (65) throws a pitch in the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images | Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
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The New York Mets' bullpen has recently taken two large hits, Left-handers Danny Young and A.J. Minter is on the injured list, and both could be facing lengthy absences. Minter suffered a lat injury that could require season-ending surgery. Meanwhile, Young suffered a left-elbow sprain, and may have require Tommy John surgery. Young and Minter were the only two lefty bullpen arms on the Mets' Opening Day roster, so losing them this early leaves the Mets' bullpen with a lack of left-handed relief depth.

Luckily, there are always decent options on the trade market the Mets could go after later on this season. These three left-handed bullpen hurlers could definitely be ones the Mets keep their eyes on and pursue in trade closer to the deadline.

1) Gregory Soto

The Baltimore Orioles are off to an extremely disappointing start to the year. While they're obviously not going to rebuild, some players on expiring contracts could be up for grabs later this summer. One of those players that the O's may look to move is left-handed reliever Gregory Soto.

Soto has a 4.76 ERA, and while his ERA may not be good, he has some decent peripherals. His 23.1% K% is above average, and his walk rate is below 10% at 9.6%. He's yet to allow barreled-up ball, nor has he allowed a home run. It's a small sample size of 11.1 innings, but Soto has some strong underlying metrics.

The hard-throwing left-hander's ERA estimators are all in agreement with his performance. Soto owns a 3.44 xERA, 3.43 xFIP, and 3.36 SIERA. Part of Soto's struggles stem from a .353 batting average on balls in play. The O's defense hasn't been outstanding this season, with -7 defensive runs saved and -8 outs above average. The Mets are a step ahead, with +8 DRS and only -2 OAA in comparison.

Soto's stuff has always been outstanding, and 2025 has been no different. He has a 115 Stuff+ rating, which is slightly better than his career average of 113. Soto would be a short-term investment. He avoided arbitration this offseason, settling for just over $5.3 million, but this was his final year of control. He will become a free agent after the 2025 campaign comes to a close. But given Soto's stuff and resume while working in higher leverage, the Mets could use an arm like him in their pen.

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