3 trade deadline NY Mets rumors they can't revisit if run prevention is paramount

Run prevention is a goal of the New York Mets moving forward. It’s a vague way of putting the onus on the pitching to be better while also wagging a finger at the defense. The Mets gave up the 13th most runs last season. Clearly, there has to be improvement in order for them to go further.

If David Stearns holds true to his words and run prevention is paramount, these three previously rumored Mets trade targets who either are or may become available need to get scrapped from the club’s plans. The reason is simple: they were among the worst defenders in 2025.

1) Brandon Lowe, -13 OAA

Brandon Lowe was a sneaky Mets trade target at the deadline. He ended up hitting 31 home runs for the Tampa Bay Rays while driving in 83. He is a somewhat overlooked power hitting second baseman. He was also one of the league’s worst defenders last year. His -13 Outs Above Average was tied for the second worst in MLB.

Lowe has an $11.5 million team option for this coming year. In many circumstances, it wouldn’t put him on the trade block. But this is the Rays. They typically try to move players when the contracts they’ve already signed their best players to reach this number. Lowe should absolutely be someone we expect to see traded this offseason. For the Mets, it doesn’t make all that much sense.

One outrageous possibility, however, could include Lowe being traded to the Mets to become their first baseman. It’s outlandish yet not completely unfathomable when we consider he can at least give them innings at second base in an emergency situation. Let him be a placeholder until something more permanent becomes available or Ryan Clifford is deemed ready.

First base often feels like one of those positions where you can get away with poorer defense. Tell that to the Mets whose offseason narrative has become that they need to move on from Pete Alonso because of that side of his game. Nah. Let’s keep it simple and have Alonso back.