Hit-or-miss NY Mets-Astros trade idea would’ve been an early win hit after all

Never a rumor, but heavily speculated by everyone looking for some sort of Pete Alonso replacement, the idea of trading for Christian Walker was a common talking point through the 2025-2026 offseason. The New York Mets needed some kind of juice in the middle of their order, preferably coming from the first baseman. Walker had a hugely disappointing first year with the Houston Astros. Along with sinking defense, which has continued this year, Walker batted .238/.297/.421.

What he did well was hit for power and drive in runs. 27 home runs and 88 RBI aren’t worth scoffing at. At $20 million this year and next, he seemed like a potential fit for the Mets.

As Rising Apple’s Steve Parello covered previously, there was some speculation by MLB Trade Rumors about a possible swap for the Mets and Astros to make. Walker for Sean Manaea, financially undiscussed, was the basis of the deal. We can figure with Steve Cohen’s deep pockets it might’ve been a case of sending some cash to the Astros as well. Two weeks into the 2026 season, this seems like a missed opportunity.

Sean Manaea for Christian Walker would’ve been an early win for the Mets if it ever happened

Walker is hitting incredibly well. He’s slashing .340/.400/.640 with 3 home runs and 13 RBI. The defense remains in question. No problem. Mark Vientos has looked competent (at times) over there. Walker could have easily been the Jorge Polanco alternative.

So much uncertainty with Polanco’s health now makes him a player to doubt. He hasn’t hit the IL, but the lingering Achilles tendinitis makes it feel as if he’s going to miss a lot of time or slump through the season. The Mets can hide him as the regular DH as long as Vientos and Brett Baty perform. It’s not disastrous yet.

Meanwhile, the Mets don’t have much use for Manaea other than to have him pitch in mop-up duty. He has done nothing but pitch in Mets losses. We can credit him with saving the bullpen, but that hardly feels like a victory when you already have Tobias Myers available in a similar role and a roster spot occupied by Richard Lovelady that could otherwise get handed to a more traditional longman.

Swap Walker for Manaea in a trade and choose him over Polanco. Financially, there’s about another $20-25 million (depending on how the trade works out financially) to invest elsewhere. Maybe it results in the Mets buying a better reliever in addition to what they did already get. Perhaps it alters the Edwin Diaz negotiations altogether, not that the result has been disastrous thus far.