NY Mets getting firepower back, but must avoid this lazy trade deadline logic

The New York Mets are about to get two familiar faces back on the set. Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea, once sidelined with injuries, are nearing their return to the rotation. And while their comebacks are a welcome boost, it’s a mistake to think just bringing back known faces means the movie’s ready to premiere. The deadline is coming, and this production still needs a lead, not just recognizable names stepping into familiar roles.

It’s a common trap in front offices: injuries heal, timelines align, and suddenly the internal comeback story gets billed as the blockbuster move. But if the Mets are serious about October, they’ll need more than a couple of names penciled back into the rotation. The roster still feels like a draft in progress. And Stearns, whether he likes it or not, is on the clock to deliver a star that can carry the final act.

The NY Mets have reinforcements returning, but the trade deadline demands a bolder move.

Before landing on the injured list, Kodai Senga had emerged as the ace of the Mets’ rotation. He posted a 1.47 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP, and struck out 70 across 73.2 innings. Just as important, he worked into the sixth inning or later in 10 of his 13 starts, giving the bullpen a break and offering consistency every fifth day.

That kind of presence has been sorely missed. During the Mets’ recent 4–15 stretch, their starters have reached the sixth inning just three times. The group has a 6.24 ERA in that span, worst in MLB, and a .272 batting average against, 4th highest. It’s been a rotating cast with no one able to hold the frame.

Sean Manaea helped carry the rotation through the second half last season and delivered in key postseason moments. But that was a different script. He hasn’t pitched at all this year, and his return comes with uncertainty. Peterson and Clay Holmes have both been strong, with Holmes posting a sub-3 ERA and pitching into the sixth in 10 of his 17 starts. Peterson has also worked deeper into games and is following up a career-best 2024 with another solid season. But even with those two rolling, it leaves the Mets with only four dependable starters, not enough to survive the kind of pressure they’ll face down the stretch.

Stearns may have a shopping list, but the Mets need more than just familiar faces returning to their roles. Like any production aiming for a blockbuster finish, the team requires a lead performer who can carry the rotation through the toughest scenes. Senga’s comeback is promising, Manaea’s return adds depth, but the real deadline act is still unfolding. If the Mets want their October story to have a satisfying ending, the front office cannot treat these returns as the final scene. They have to keep casting until they find their star.