Phillies injury just made best NY Mets trade chip more valuable even if they don’t partner up

The Philadelphia Phillies received a huge blow to their bullpen prior to their game against the New York Mets on Thursday, losing Brad Keller for the remainder of 2026 and maybe through the end of next season. 

The immediate thought flowing through the brain of every Mets fan: what does this mean for Luke Weaver?

The Phillies are suddenly an even better match. Even if they’re not the ones who trade for Weaver, their demand has gone up without the supply changing.

All it takes is the Phillies to trade for someone else to make Luke Weaver even more valuable

Rising Apple’s Steve Parello took a look at three teams who should be willing to make the Mets a dream offer for Weaver. The Phillies weren’t included, mostly because their bullpen situation even without Keller doesn’t quite align with them being the most needful. Instead, it’s teams who could use a closer, something the Phillies have, that should be knocking each other over like it’s 6am on Black Friday to acquire Weaver.

If the Phillies were to trade for another arm, let’s say Adrian Morejon of the San Diego Padres for instance, that’s one less body for everyone else to acquire. Because the Mets already don’t need to trade Weaver, a king’s ransom ask is reasonable.

At minimum, Weaver should come with the price of a top 100 prospect (or close to it) plus a MLB-ready player. Because of so much uncertainty with Devin Williams as the closer, the Mets should absolutely hold out for as much as possible. Desperate teams in need of security in the eighth or ninth would be wise to acquire Weaver who has proven he can handle multiple roles as well as the biggest sports market there is.

Practically untouchable for two and a half months, Weaver will be someone whose every inning gets scouted. I’d suspect there are trade rumors about him leading right up to the final hour of the trade deadline. Keller’s injury definitely doesn’t push the Mets and Phillies closer to a deal, but it does confirm Philadelphia needs some sort of high-leverage right-hander added to their bullpen. Whoever they do acquire is one less player someone else can, making Weaver even more expensive.

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