NY Mets expected to make a trade to help them a few years from now in the coming days

The theft of Wandy Asigen from the New York Yankees, an amateur free agent who is now set to join the New York Mets, will reportedly lead to an upcoming trade. In order to pay Asigen the $3.8 million signing bonus he is expected to receive and have leftovers for others, the Mets are going to need to add some international bonus slot money. A trade is reportedly on the way.

International bonus money is one of those unique parts of the game. Different amounts are allotted based on a number of factors, usually favoring teams in small markets who don’t spend on superstar free agents. The money is often used in smaller transactions, allowing ball clubs a path toward paying the teenagers they’re hoping to become a big part of the future.

The Mets, with one of the smallest amounts available, will need a little help.

How much money do the Mets have available in international signing money and who could they make a trade with?

In April of 2025, Baseball America covered how much money each team would have available for the 2026 International Free Agent signing period which begins on January 15. The Mets were among those with the lowest at $5.44 million.

The numbers are outdated with a few other trades taking place since, but we have a general idea of which teams probably won’t be sending the Mets any cash and who could have some to spare.

These teams were named by Baseball America to have over $8 million each to spend in international free agency:

Arizona Diamondbacks
Baltimore Orioles
Cleveland Guardians
Colorado Rockies
Kansas City Royals
Pittsburgh Pirates
St. Louis Cardinals

Right behind them at a little under $7.5 million were these teams:

Athletics
Cincinnati Reds
Detroit Tigers
Miami Marlins
Milwaukee Brewers
Minnesota Twins
Seattle Mariners
Tampa Bay Rays

Half the league is covered in these two groups.

Last winter the Mets traded international bonus slot money to the Tampa Bay Rays for pitcher Sean Harney. He ended up traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in late March for cash considerations.

Typically it’s minor leaguers or out-of-options players who change teams in exchange for additional money. Any deal the Mets do end up completing as part of their goal to add to their international pool shouldn’t affect them too greatly.

Last year the Mets spent $5 million on Elian Pena with only about $1.2 million left on everyone else. It’s not unusual for a large percentage to go toward paying a single player, especially one ranked as highly as Asigen. It sounds like a trade is on the way and with an already crowded 40-man roster, someone there could be the player changing teams for cash.