How the 2 players the NY Mets traded to the Orioles for Gregory Soto finished 2025

It felt better than it was at times and worse when it wasn’t so terrible. Whatever your gut tells you about the two months Gregory Soto spent with the New York Mets, you probably have some mixed emotions.

Soto pitched to a 4.50 ERA in 24 innings. He was surprisingly good at avoiding walks but also less prone to striking out batters. His 1.62 WHIP was largely due to all of the contact he was giving up.

The trade was the first of four deadline moves made by the Mets. We know how things went with him. How’d the two players the Mets gave up for him perform in the Baltimore Orioles minor league system?

Wellington Aracena - 5 starts in High-A with a 2.35 ERA

Wellington Aracena won’t turn 21 until this December. A few years away from the majors, his strong finish and overall performance in 2025 for both the Mets and Orioles minor league squads was a good jumping off point for brighter days ahead. Aracena split his time as a starter and reliever for the Mets and would go on to make one more start in A-Ball following the trade for Soto. He’d make 5 starts in High-A, putting together a 2.35 ERA performance. It came with a jump in walks to 5.9 BB/9 and reduction in strikeouts to 9.4 K/9. He’ll probably be in line to begin next season in High-A again where the Orioles can better evaluate whether he’s someone worth facing Double-A hitters.

Cameron Foster - 16 innings in Triple-A with a 3.38 ERA

At 26, Cameron Foster was a little behind his peers in Double-A where he pitched to a 1.01 ERA this season. Beaten around in his 3.2 innings in Syracuse while with the Mets, things calmed down after joining the Orioles organization where he remained one step below MLB. He had a 3.38 ERA in 16 innings out of the bullpen. He continued his excellent strikeout pace at 12.9 K/9. Foster’s biggest issue hasn’t been control as much as it is getting lit up with hits. His two previous seasons included a hit per inning or more. This year was better at 7.4 per 9. We’ll watch from afar if he can continue to prevent runs for the Orioles and maybe join the conversation as a candidate to pitch in the big leagues at some point in 2026.