A NY Mets trade deadline twist we can’t dismiss

It didn’t take long for one of the more questionable New York Mets trade deadline decisions to remind us why it was debatable. When Devin Williams stepped on the mound on Friday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates, he held onto dear life to help the Mets win. It was a non-save situation nearly blown by the Mets closer whose 4.66 ERA deserves no positive spin. While the 3.09 FIP suggests victimization of poor luck, a 1.65 WHIP created largely by averaging 10 hits per 9 innings reminds us he is getting what he deserves.

There was never a realistic chance the Mets would trade Williams. Luke Weaver, on the other hand, was someone whose team control through next year made him someone many wanted to keep around for the sake of having an immediate replacement for Williams.

Left with no true alternative with experience, the wildest turn of events for the Mets from the trade deadline fallout would be to package Sammy Stafura in a trade for a reliever, possibly even a closer. Well-regarded but not on such a high pedestal he deserves the untouchable label at the moment, the idea of the Mets acquiring prospects at this year’s deadline with intention of selling them (or others) in the offseason for big league help remains a realistic conclusion. Stafura could no doubt help bring the Mets bullpen help, possibly with the intention of aiming at someone on a lower salary than Weaver and with more years of control.

Using Sammy Stafura in a trade to help replace Luke Weaver would be a big Mets trade deadline twist

It may be premature to start thinking about which closers or closer candidates are actually on the trade block. Mason Miller never moved and as interested as the San Diego Padres would have to be in a prospect like Stafura, he’s probably the third-best prospect the Mets could include. Ironically, it could be a player like Trevor Megill, in his final year before free agency, or the more controllable rising reliever Abner Uribe the Mets could view as worthy of this kind of trade.

The Mets were already known suitors of Megill and Uribe last offseason. Megill’s arbitration number is sure to climb in an unhealthy range for a Milwaukee Brewers club already checking the couch cushions to help with next year’s payroll. Uribe, 26, would be the far more attractive match and not necessarily someone to throw into the closer’s role immediately.

Stafura’s Mets trajectory is difficult to predict with Mitch Voit and Jefferson Rojas playing lots of shortstop this year. Voit was originally drafted as a second baseman and Rojas has served time at third base in the minors this year. Stafura could certainly continue to project as a future major league shortstop, but as one still a few years away, he feels like better trade bait than someone to pencil in.

The Mets took a while to trade players acquired at the 2023 deadline, notably Drew Gilbert to the San Francisco Giants in the summer of 2025 and Luisangel Acuna prior to the 2026 season when swapped for Luis Robert Jr. Both of them were inherited by David Stearns. Will he behave differently with players he chose?

If not Stafura, other Mets prospect can suddenly be used to help fill next year's bullpen. Is Jacob Reimer less on track to make it to the majors as an impact player? Stuck in Double-A and not exactly making pitchers reconsider their career choice, he's feeling more like bait than future Mets infield slugger.

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