Best chance at a NY Mets trade for a SP might come from within the NL East

Uncertainty about which starting pitchers will actually be available this offseason has put a snag in putting plans on cruise control. The New York Mets have been linked in some way or another to every starting pitcher who’d make sense to trade as well as reported interest in each free agent.

It does seem as if the best chance they could have to acquire a starting pitcher will have to come from within the NL East. If Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta, Joe Ryan, and Pablo Lopez are off the board, there aren’t too many other places to immediately turn the focus onto except for maybe the Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals.

At least the Marlins and Nationals aren’t taking their starting pitchers off the trade block

The Nationals only have MacKenzie Gore generating trade buzz. One of several ironic moves the Mets could make this offseason considering he was previously traded for Juan Soto, the Mets would be buying into a controllable starting pitcher who has yet to reach his full potential.

Gore is coming off of a 4.17 ERA campaign, up slightly from the 3.90 the year prior. His strikeout totals rose to 10.4 K/9. There are signs the 26-year-old lefty is about to become a true ace. And if he doesn’t after joining the Mets, it’s going to look pretty lousy.

The Marlins provide the Mets with greater options. Yet again, Sandy Alcantara as a trade candidate has emerged. He pitched better down the stretch than he did to begin the year so looking at his 5.36 ERA last year doesn’t do him justice. Edward Cabrera is their other truly realistic trade candidate. Pitching to a 3.53 ERA last year, he’s not the bonafide top-of-the-rotation arm the Mets should be shopping for. He can grow into it. He’s not a solution right now.

It’s only a group of three starting pitchers, but they do seem to be readily available for any team willing to make a deal. We can guess the Nationals would accept prospects. The Marlins, on the other hand, may prefer big-league ready position players for either of their arms. The Mets have plenty of those.

Dealing within the division isn’t so out of the norm. The Marlins traded Jesus Luzardo to the Philadelphia Phillies last offseason. The Mets traded David Robertson there in 2023 and acquired Jesse Winker from the Nationals in 2024. It’s about the best offer, not the team you’re striking a deal with.