5 way-too-early NY Mets trade deadline targets to familiarize ourselves with

Spring Training games have yet to begin. However, it’s never too early to look ahead at important dates on the calendar. July is always one of the best months for baseball. Not only is it in the heat of the season, but you have the draft and trade deadline. The New York Mets, meanwhile, are looking to make a deep playoff run once again, as they fell just two wins shy of going to the World Series in 2024.

Last year at the trade deadline, the Mets were quite active, making six trades. Although it’s not even March yet, let’s look at five way-too-early potential trade deadline targets the Mets could go after this upcoming July.

1) Taylor Rogers

Bullpen arms are always on the move at the trade deadline, and teams are always in need of bullpen help down the stretch. Cincinnati Reds’ lefty Taylor Rogers could be one of the notable names on the trading block around the time of this year’s deadline. The Reds acquired Rogers from the San Francisco Giants this offseason, but his stay in Cincinnati could be short.

Last season, Rogers pitched to the tune of a 2.40 ERA, 3.80 FIP, and 1.25 WHIP across 60 frames. The veteran lefty had some solid peripherals with a 25.7% K%, 8.8% walk rate, and 1.05 HR/9 rate. He was particularly good at limiting quality contact. Rogers was in the 91st percentile of exit velocity at 86.7 MPH and the 79th percentile of barrel rate at 6.2%.

However, there were some red flags to Rogers’ performance. His K% was still above average, but it was the first time since 2017 he struck out fewer than 28% of the batters he faced. His walk rate of 8.8% was just slightly below league average, marking the second season in a row he put up a sub-par BB rate. Rogers saw a dip in Stuff+ from 112 in 2020 to 2023 to 105 in 2024.

But it wasn’t all negative. Rogers was still in the 80th and 81st percentile of both xERA and xBA, while his exit velocity was the best of his career. His barrel percentage was also the best he has put up since 2018. Rogers has experience in high-leverage, with 83 career saves (including two 30+ save seasons) and 98 career holds. He is owed $12 million in 2025 but will hit free agency after the campaign is over.