Potential NY Mets trade deadline target falls off the board after latest update

A romantic reunion with Jacob deGrom is something New York Mets fans would love to see, but how realistic is it really? deGrom is having a phenomenal season. However, questions of whether he’d uproot his family to return to New York by waiving his no-trade clause on top of the Mets having the willingness to take on his contract make this less realistic than acquiring one of his teammates—at least until a recent update on his health.

Earning $16.5 million this year and on the verge of becoming a free agent, Tyler Mahle would have been a good match for the Mets at this year’s trade deadline. Unfortunately, the Rangers have already moved Mahle from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL as he recovers from a rotator cuff injury. 

At best, Mahle is pitching again in mid-August. It would be incredibly risky to give up anything of value for him with the uncertainty of his health.

The Mets will need to look elsewhere for any rotation health

Mahle finally looked like he was emerging as a top-of-the-rotation arm. In 14 starts for Texas, Mahle was 6-3 with a 2.34 ERA. He had actually been even better early in the season with 8 of his 20 earned runs coming in his final two starts in early June.

Injuries have been a plague on Mahle’s career, limiting him to 5 starts in 2023 and another 3 in 2024. Familiar with getting dealt at the trade deadline, he was a piece acquired by the Minnesota Twins from the Cincinnati Reds on August 2, 2022. He was one of multiple underachievers who changed uniforms that summer (something the Mets know plenty about).

Texas isn’t quite committed to selling, but with the Houston Astros running away with the division and a lineup with more holes than they can possibly address, they’d need a ridiculously hot start to July to change their stance.

The Rangers should be able to offer teams a few other potential trade candidates. Patrick Corbin has suddenly looked competent although, if anyone knows better than to not be convinced it can continue, it’s the Mets. Nathan Eovaldi is on a multi-year deal, which could have him staying put. Relievers Chris Martin, Hoby Milner, Luke Jackson, and Shawn Armstrong are all pending free agents. Only Milner throws left-handed and should have plenty of suitors if Texas agrees this isn’t their year.