The next former NY Mets prospect whose MLB debut we’re dreading

There were a lot of complaints about what the New York Mets did at the 2022 MLB trade deadline. Rightfully so. They failed to make any significant move to bolster the roster. The Darin Ruf trade failed to pass the sniff test. Mychal Givens wasn’t the reliever we desired to complete the bullpen. Perhaps the most forgotten of the moves was the trade with the Cincinnati Reds. Adding Phil Diehl to the minors for depth and Tyler Naquin to the MLB roster, it turned out to be a failed move. Naquin barely hit over .200 while regularly filling in as the team’s right fielder in place of an injured Starling Marte.

The Naquin addition was less around the level of topping off windshield wiper fluid. He was never meant to be a significant part of the Mets’ run. At the cost of two low level prospects few knew, there wasn’t a reason to gripe; at least not then.

It’s the Tyler Naquin trade Mets fans should start dreading next

Pitcher Jose Acuna was one of the two prospects who went to the Reds in this deal. After pitching to a 3.64 ERA in Double-A this past year as a starter, there’s enough evidence to suggest he’s big league bound. Maybe it’s only in a Jose Butto-level role. Not even considered a top prospect, we’ll worry about him when he does it in Triple-A.

The same can’t be said about Hector Rodriguez. Ranked 9th by MLB Pipeline in the Reds system, it’s a common name that’ll create a common feeling among Mets fans. How did the Mets give this guy up?

The 21-year-old outfielder was showing promising signs in 2021 and 2022 when he began his professional career. Just a teenager who hadn’t made it above the Florida Complex League just yet, he batted .301 in his first season in the Dominican Summer League and was hitting .349 at the time of the trade in the Florida Complex League. He continued hitting with the Reds for the remainder of 2022, into 2023, and 2024. It was in 2025 when Rodriguez amplified himself with more power than seen before.

In a season split between Double-A and Triple-A, Rodriguez combined to smack 19 home runs, drive in 65, and slash .283/.336/.450. His 86 strikeouts in 575 trips to the plate shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s a good ratio for someone with as much power as he has put on display. A corner outfielder who spent most of his time in Triple-A in left field, he seems destined to be in a Reds uniform at some point in 2026. The Reds already rubbed salt in the wounds of Mets fans in 2025. His arrival, and potential success, is like using the salt from our tears to make that gash hurt more.

Former Mets prospects excelling after getting traded is nothing we’re not already used to. Some work out, like Pete Crow-Armstrong. Others show flashes then fade fast. See Jarred Kelenic for more information.

Rodriguez has yet to reach the big leagues and there’s a case that even if he does all he’ll do is be a limited role player. It doesn’t make Mets fans feel any better knowing the return to New York was so light already. At least Javier Baez and Trevor Williams were good on the Mets.