NY Mets rumors: Alex Bregman trade wouldn't be worth the price of admission

ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel recently released their top 50 trade deadline candidates for the 2025 season. The New York Mets are going to be buyers at this year’s deadline and are listed as a potential destination for multiple top trade targets. However, they are named as a landing spot for star third baseman Alex Bregman, who tops the top 50 list. But the Mets would likely have to part ways with some talented pitching in exchange for Bregman.

Bregman is the number one trade candidate for a reason. He was having the best season of his career since his 2019 season when he finished second in AL MVP voting. Bregman is slashing .299/.385/.553 on the year with a .403 wOBA and 157 wRC+ across 226 plate appearances. He has already gone yard 11 times with a .254 isolated slugging percentage and has struck out in just 18.6% of his trips to the dish. Additionally, he boasts a healthy 9.7% walk rate.

Bregman has always been a strong defensive third baseman, and 2025 has been no different. He has +5 defensive runs saved and +1 out above average in less than 500 innings at the hot corner. However, the one thing that complicates Bregman’s value is his injury and contract. The infielder hasn’t taken the field since May 23 due to a quad injury. He is approaching a return to the field. Bregman has an opt-out after this year, but he could opt in for another year for just over $41.6 million.

Trading Nolan McLean plus more prospects may not be worth the risk of Alex Bregman opting out.

Regardless of whether or not he opts out for the 2026 season and tests free agency, Bregman being priced as just a rental would still make him a pricy trade target. If the Red Sox ultimately move Bregman, it would likely be for pitching. The Sox only have three starters this year with an ERA+ over 100 in 10+ starts, and none are younger than 25. They also have little coming up through the minor leagues when it comes to pitching talent. Their three top pitching prospects per MLB Pipeline are all at Double-A, with only one having induced good results over at least five games started.

The Mets would have to put together a trade package headlined by a top pitching prospect. Brandon Sproat’s value is down, and Jonah Tong is likely way too valuable for the Mets to consider moving him right now, which leaves Nolan McLean as a prime candidate. The right-hander has had a solid season and is trending in the right direction, pitching to a 2.19 ERA, 3.83 FIP, and 1.16 WHIP across 70 innings at Binghamton and Syracuse.

McLean has struck out nearly a quarter of opponents with a 0.64 HR/9. His 10.8% walk rate isn’t great, but right around league average. The right-hander has a four-pitch mix, with Baseball America grading three of his offerings as above-average or better. His slider is his best pitch and has double-plus potential. McLean throws in the mid-90s with his four-seam fastball. He is now in the top 100 of both MLB Pipeline’s list (#99) and entered the year on BA’s list, now sitting at #64.

The Mets need help at third base, especially considering Brett Baty has come back down to earth after looking like a breakout candidate earlier this year. However, Bregman’s contract makes this difficult. The Mets could trade Nolan McLean plus more for what could ultimately end up being two months of Alex Bregman. Unless the Mets feel they are an Alex Bregman away from at least a National League pennant, if not a World Series win, they could put the value of their prospects to better use. It would be a high-risk/high-reward gamble for the Mets to go after Bregman.