Ranking the biggest NY Mets trade deadline needs beginning with starting pitching

Your thoughts on who the New York Mets are is changing from series-to-series. Taking two out of three against the Atlanta Braves made the Mets feel like they were turning a corner. Following it up by dropping two out of three to the Cincinnati Reds reset our reality.

By mid-June, it’s good to know if your club is trending toward buying or selling at the trade deadline. The Mets are in “wait and see mode” with more than a month left to make any official declaration. 

Buying or selling, these are their biggest trading deadline needs beginning with the addition of a starting pitcher.

What the Mets need most at the trade deadline

1) Another starting pitcher, even an average one

There isn’t a single starting pitcher in the Mets rotation who has dug his heels in and proven he’s the ace of the staff. We had high expectations for Nolan McLean heading into what would be his first full MLB season. Freddy Peralta was traded here to be their stopper even if we all realized he’s less like the 2025 version and more like the model we’ve seen this season. Sean Manaea has made two good starts while Christian Scott feels like a real big league starting pitcher when healthy.

There’s a lot to be optimistic about with the Mets starting pitching staff and yet with every positive comes an opposing threat of pessimism. They need Clay Holmes back badly. And even if he was to arrive today, they’d still need another starting pitcher to make us fully confident in this team.

2) A fire sale to rebuild the team completely

Other than adding a starting pitcher, the Mets need to face a dark reality: they’re trade deadline sellers. Their ongoing battle to get back to even is going to take a while. Every step forward has included a step back. Lately, they’ve played like a .500 team which is fine when you have an early April 12-game winning streak. When it’s a losing streak, you’re in a hole you can never get out of.

A trade deadline fire sale wouldn’t be the worst thing for the future of the franchise. In fact, some might argue they shouldn’t even consider trading for anyone at all. Standing still at the trade deadline with maybe a minor trade could be the preference for fans who don’t have much faith we have anything better than a flirt with a wild card spot.

3) Good health

You can’t trade for good health. If you could, David Stearns would be selling every prospect he could to bring back the overcrowded injured list. Injuries have stolen away what was meant to be a dangerous lineup with a good mix of power and putting the ball in play. 

Nothing may determine the Mets’ trade deadline fate more than the health of certain players. Bad health projections and they’re probably going to sell or do nothing at the trade deadline. Getting guys back and good reports from those who haven’t returned can be enough to convince them to search for upgrades. 

4) A right-handed bat to make up for what Mark Vientos hasn’t been

Mark Vientos has had his moments this year. Overall, he has been pretty bad. Pretty much benched at this point with only rare appearances as a pinch hitter or starts at first base when they play a lefty, the Mets could definitely use a right-handed bat to make up for his deficiencies.

We’d be foolish to hold our breath for Jorge Polanco to return from the IL and save this team. The same applies for Luis Robert Jr. who, while capable, isn’t a direct replacement for Vientos in any way. This left-handed heavy lineup could use a little more balance starting with some added pop from the right side of the plate. There should be minor pieces available and affordable for them to pursue. Of all the things we should expect them to add, it’s this.

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