NY Mets Monday Morning GM: 3 unexpected depth players with trade deadline value

The dam hasn’t broken yet on the MLB trade deadline with the Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals linking up for one of the “bigger” early trades late on Saturday night. The New York Mets are one of a handful of clear sellers with some teams undecided as to what they’ll end up doing in the next week.

The Mets have obvious trade candidates under a variety of circumstances. Clay Holmes is desirable but coming off of an injury and a clear qualifying offer candidate. Freddy Peralta has tanking trade value and yet there is a belief he could be better in a different situation. Then there’s Luis Robert Jr. with a contract nobody wants.

What about those depth pieces lingering on the Mets roster? These three have performed well enough to at least join the trade deadline conversation even if they’re sold for as little as the most often traded person in MLB history, the Player To Be Named Later.

Mets depth for next year or a trade piece to deal?

1) Jared Young

Jared Young has earned a lot of playing time at first base for the Mets. Even before Mark Vientos went down with an injury, Young was getting his share of time at the position. Slashing .252/.326/.434 with 7 home runs this season, he’s a versatile left-handed hitter that feels perfect for anyone’s bench. This includes all 2026 contenders as well as the 2027 Mets who don’t plan to bow out of the race this quickly.

Under team control for several more years (through 2031 in fact), selling high on Young wouldn’t be unwise by the Mets. We also can’t blame them for holding onto him as an optional member of the 2027 puzzle. He just shouldn’t be Plan-A at first base or any position. As a Plan-B, he’s incredibly satisfying.

2) Cionel Perez

A 4.38 ERA after taking the win and tossing 3 shutout innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, Cionel Perez is one of those guys a team who only needs a lefty reliever for maybe a few weeks could trade for. The Mets picked him up off the scrap heap, intrigued by the history of achieving ground balls. At a rate topping 50% even when he isn’t getting outs, there’s reason to believe the Mets could get calls about him.

Perez isn’t as random as some may think. He has been around since 2018 and had a 1.40 ERA in a full 2022 campaign with the Baltimore Orioles. Arbitration eligible next season, a restructuring of the Mets bullpen and allocation of parts could clear some room. At the very least, they might give him a chance to compete for a job.

3) Daniel Duarte

He should be this year’s Rico Garcia. Daniel Duarte has yet to allow a run in 8.1 innings of work with only a pair of hits allowed. Another guy similar to Perez with MLB experience prior to this season, he doesn’t have nearly the same experience. He had less than 40 innings in the show prior to joining the Mets.

Duarte has a minor league option the Mets have used up this year which makes it harder to envision where he fits in next year. Is he really good enough for a roster spot when he’d immediately be on the bubble? This is a similar question with Perez who is already in that boat. Duarte hasn’t already gotten to arbitration and as another ground ball-focused pitcher, we can understand why the Mets or others would like him. 

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