Another former NY Mets player we should have as a way-too-early trade deadline target

Bleacher Report put out some way-too-early trade deadline predictions and former New York Mets player Luis Severino was present. Named as a target for both the Mets and New York Yankees, we can understand why certain circumstances could have either club reuniting with him.

Severino struggled in Sacramento last year and was vocal about it. Returning to either New York team could give him a sense of comfortability, as BR notes in there.

Is he all that realistic though? The Mets have starting pitching depth and should continue to have minor leaguers ascend as realistic choices. Under David Stearns, the only midseason trade for a starter they’ve made was Paul Blackburn in 2024, coincidentally with the Athletics. If not Severino, there’s a different ex-Mets player we should consider as a way-too-early target.

Mark down Dennis Santana as a hot name for the Mets this summer

As much as Edwin Uceta would be a fun and no longer random Mets reunion because of what he has turned into with the Tampa Bay Rays, their control of him through the 2029 season should have him costing a whole lot more than most at the trade deadline. Dennis Santana, on the other hand, is a name we already know about.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have turned this journeyman reliever into something savory. A member of the 2023 Mets who made 9 relief appearances, he seems destined to go on the trade block this summer unless the Pirates actually manage to stay in contention. Don’t hold your breath.

Santana had a 2.44 ERA in 2024 for the Bucs in 44.1 innings. He began the year with the New York Yankees, pitching to a 6.26 ERA. That was about par for what he had been doing in his career.

Proving he was no one-hit wonder, Santana improved in 2025 with a 2.18 ERA and a job as the Pittsburgh closer. He didn’t strike batters out at an impressive rate, falling to 7.7 K/9. But with a 0.86 WHIP thanks to low walk totals and few hits allowed, he overcame all of those batted balls in play.

His greatest asset last year was getting batters to chase. A nasty slider and effective fastball are the priority in his pitching arsenal. He’s more of a fly ball pitcher than a ground ball one. His one weakness that should be of some concern was a 16th percentile in barrel percentage. It didn’t seem to have much of an effect.

A free agent after the 2026 season, Santana should once again be on the trade block. The Pirates are making an attempt to get better this offseason, but they play in the same division as the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs who are both coming off of huge years and aiming to get right back there again. The Pirates haven’t had a winning year since 2018 when they won 82 games. Their playoff drought extends to 2015. Paul Skenes might want to talk to Mike Trout about what it’s like to be a generational star who can’t sniff the postseason.