The New York Mets have traded for who? It’s rarely a good sign when, at the trade deadline, your team is looking to add and they’re bringing in a guy whose name you only faintly recall. Back in 2024, that was the case when the Mets brought in Huascar Brazoban to help the bullpen.
We understood the rationale immediately. Brazoban was a controllable arm with minor league options remaining. A 2.93 ERA with the Miami Marlins at the time, this late-blooming pitcher with a high K rate and knack for getting ground balls fit the style of arm David Stearns has come to love.
It wasn’t always good with Brazoban struggling at times in 2024 to the point where he was demoted. The 2025 season started off well then perhaps due to overusage, Brazoban fell off. He ended up in the minor leagues yet again. This year has again started brilliantly, Brazoban relying more on soft contact. It’s a trade we don’t really talk about much because of how long ago it took place. Checking in on who the Mets gave up to get a talented reliever who won’t even reach free agency until after the 2029 season, it’s laughable.
The Mets pulled the curtain over the Marlins with their trade for Huascar Brazoban
What were the Miami Marlins thinking? Brazoban was nowhere near free agency and while already in his mid-30s, controllable for several more years. They mustn’t have believed in the output. Or maybe they were so enamored with Wilfredo Lara, the Mets prospect sent to Miami for multiple years of Brazoban.
Lara had a good 2023 season for St. Lucie and saw the numbers drop slightly in 2024. Combined with the Mets and Marlins in High-A, he batted .252/.340/.370. The OBP made up for the other areas where he seemed to lack potency.
The 2025 campaign was a disaster for Lara. In 268 plate appearances in High-A again, he batted .182/.277/.307. The Marlins gave him limited opportunities at even lower levels in the minors where he didn’t do much either.
Still stuck in High-A and nearing 200 total games at this level, Lara hasn’t done any better in 2026. Lara has started off this season batting .184/.325/.320 through his first 126 plate appearances. Brazoban has a 1.85 ERA in 20 games working as an opener and multi-inning reliever wherever Carlos Mendoza puts him. Batters are hitting .155 against him.
The trade for Brazoban won’t ever measure up to acquiring Mike Piazza, Al Leiter, Carlos Delgado, or Paul LoDuca simply based on the role he has with the Mets. This one is more laughable because even Mets fans weren’t so sure what to expect. After almost two and a half years, Brazoban is reminding us why he was acquired in the first place.
